Glitter
Glitter is a material that, in addition to being widely used in decoration, is often used by Literomancers to invoke magical effects. Originally used to channel the energy of happiness, joy, and flamboyance, it has also been successfully corrupted with Dark Literomancy and used to bring despair, brain nuggies, and other dark emotions, or to channel magic that controls the mind.
Glitter is an essential weapon...err I mean tool... in the SCM arsenal.Glitter is also a key component in the weapons of the Self Care Mafia and the Chaos Cartel. The SCM uses it to mark self-care violators with a stigmata of shame, while the Cartel uses it to spread adorable chaos and encourage people to relax and have a little fun. It also saw extensive use in The Third and especially, the The Fourth Word Wars, as an effective payload to carry magical effects over broad areas of effect. Glitter is widely famed (and villified) for its proclivity for getting everywhere, and for its resistance to biodegradation.
Controversy
Glitter is a material that induces strong feelings in just about everyone who comes in contact with it, and its use has become extremely controversial — like pineapple on pizza.The Case for Glitter
I don't understand how you can not like glitter. It's so fun! There's no reason for it to exist other than joy. It serves no other purpose. It's bright and shiny and fabulous, and you can't ignore it. And just when you've forgotten about it, a tiny sparkle will pop up in the place you least expect it, reminding you of whatever fun thing you last used glitter at.Those who value glitter appreciate it for its delightful chaos causing value. To them, it represents joy and celebration for the sake of it... and when glitter pops up in a place you weren't expecting months later, to them, it's just a pleasant, unexpected reminder of a joyful time.
The Case Against Glitter
Glitter, the unknown evil. It is getting everywhere, in every nook and cranny. I even found it in my food. I tried to ban it from the Willows, but I begin to believe that some of the Badgers do not share my hatred.Glitter is ubiquitous. It does scatter everywhere and is extremely difficult to clean up. Furthermore, its resistance to decomposition makes it a potentially genuine environmental hazard.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Typically, glitter is comprised of tiny, shiny, sparkly particles, too small to be picked up easily. It is extremely lightweight, so it is easy for even a light breeze to scatter it far and wide. It is also known to be extremely resistant to decomposition, which has led to environmentalists writing long dissertations on why it ought to be banned; and it is true that glitter may contribute significantly to the microplastics pollution problem.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Glitter will melt in extreme heat, just like any plastic. However, the metallic components gives it a higher melting temperature than might be expected for tiny plastic particles. Some glitter is also metallic enough to create problems in MRIs.
Compounds
Glitter is composed of the common plastics PET or PVC and coated with aluminum, titanium oxide, or synthetic metallic materials to make it reflective. Recent literomantic glitters have also used more valuable metals, such as gold, silver, titanium or copper, or gemstone dust, to give it that distinctive shine and to assist in the infusion of Literomantic Power in the form of enchantments.
Glitter is the physical manifestation of joy.
Life & Expiration
GLITTER IS ETERNAL
Distribution
Law & Regulation
Glitter has been severely restricted in Windy Willows "The Den" by Purpleheart, the Princess Badger. The laws of some nations prohibit or limit its disposal because it does not effectively degrade.
This article is a work in progress, and may be subject to changes.
This article is part of a series related to streaming the Game of Tomes. For more information, see Streaming Game of Tomes.
Type
Plastic
Value
cheap like dirt
Rarity
ubiquitous
Odor
metallic, along with the sickly-sweet overtone of offgassing plastic
Taste
varies; usually slightly metallic or plasticky (ask me how I know)
Color
varies; usually metallic or iridescent versions of bright hues or metals
Boiling / Condensation Point
> 350 °C (662 °F; 623 K) (decomposes)
Melting / Freezing Point
Melting point > 250 °C (482 °F; 523 K) 260 °C
Density
can vary depending on component materials, but typically ranges from 0.6 to 2.5 g/cubic cm
Common State
tiny, shiny particles
Related Locations
Related Species
Related Items
Related Professions
Queen Sable, caught at not eating again by Dame Flubb by Pixabay
Glitter in the News
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Because the Glitter Mines are located in overlapping areas of the Ailurus, Lapin, and Meles Protectorates, the Woodland Family Alliance has agreed to maintain a common stockpile of glitter that all of them may access as needed. This has the additional benefit of keeping both the Chaos Cartel and the Self Care Mafia in effectively unlimited supply, since all of the Woodlander House Leaders are members, or even leaders, of one or the other Syndicate.
Shine bright like a glitter bomb! Really? When I heard the song, it made my day and I had a grin on my face the whole time. It was so much fun reading your informative glittering article with a slightly ironic undertone. Thank you very much and congratulations. Your article made it into my top 10 favorites for the material.
Hey, awesome! Thank you very much and I'm glad you've enjoyed it! :D