Saur'Lapis
Saur'Lapis is a very valuable family of gemstones which are the shattered remnants of dragons' eggs. It can only be found in the three Dragon Mountain Ranges: The Dragon's Eye, The Dragons' Teeth, or the Dragon Spine.
Once Saur'Lapis moves out of the dragon cave and into the market or treasury, it is considered a Celestial Currency and is honored, if not outright coveted, by virtually every Haka'am. The price of Saur'Lapis by weight varies annually, based on rarity. Rarity is determined by an annual report issued from the Guardian Raa’Phen of Delretha'an to the rulers of other Haka’amen and is based on the colors of the dragons in that 'Round's hatchings and the current reserves by weight of each dragon-shell type. Hatchlings intending to Bond are not counted in the annual report because their shells are reserved to support their Kovalek’Tzamo’kimae and the Saur’Guarda Garrisons and training facilities.
Dragons can be Gold, Silver, Blue, Green, Purple, Red, and Black.
Types of Saur’Lapis:
Paz’Tok
Paz’Tok’v’a
Daema’aaz
Daema’aaz’v’a
Azuul
Azuul’v’a
Ma’daez
Ma’daez’v’a
Misthus
Misthus’v’a
Y’Brae
Y’Brae’v’a
Aal’Khos
Aal’Khos’v’a
There are two additional types of Saur'Lapis that are not only incredibly rare, but very difficult to obtain:
Saurtriel and Saurshao'v'a, more commonly referred to as Dragonheart and Dragonsoul.
Saurtriel/Dragonheart was first discovered by the Aankhana Band of Rohem'Valekimae (before they became Rohem'Valekimae and were known only as the Bands) of Delretha'an in one of their Sheltering Caves in the Dragons' Teeth mountains. Discovered in a deep cave, littered with the rubble of a long ago earthquake, it was thought to be a form of Aalkhos compressed over time deep in the earth. Legend states that it was discovered during a heavy jhe'nox storm that had caused many of the Bands to retreat to various caves For safety. The Bands had a treaty with the dragons allowing them to hunt out Saur'Lapis within the areas defined by their agreed upon Sheltering Caves, so the Aankhana Band took advantage of their discovery and the enforced confinement to create a supply of spearheads, arrowheads and short knives. When they emerged after the storm had passed, they discovered that what they had thought to be the solid black of Aalkhos was actually swirled with all the dragon colors and, in sunlight, seemed almost to glow from within. Realizing this new Saur'Lapis was not a part of their agreement with the dragons and had to be exceedingly rare, they immediately sought the Guardian Raa'Phen's advice. He suggested that there be a gathering, not only of all the Bands, but of the Sovereigns Council of the dragons as well. Later known as the Dragonheart Accord, this gathering named the never before seen form of Saur'Lapis "Saurtriel" as it held the essence of all other forms of Saur'Lapis, and it was agreed that Saurtriel was only be used sparingly and for ceremonial purposes which would honor its rare and sacred nature. One spear was given to the leader of each of the eight Bands, and one short knife was presented to each of their designated successors. The remainder of items that had been shaped were given to Raa'Phen to investigate and experiment with. Wishing to commemorate the occasion and express their appreciation to the dragons, the Bands requested enough additional Saurtriel for their finest gem smiths to create pendants for each of the nine Sovereigns on the Council, the eight Band leaders and Raa'Phen. The dragons agreed, but stipulated that the pendants given to the leaders must be passed down through the family line, not leader to leader (though sometimes leadership did pass down through the families). From the time of the Accord, the dragons no longer required Raa'Phen to act as mediator between themselves and the Bands (though anyone seeking to address the Sovereigns Council must be a holder of one of the pendants) and began to refer to the Bands as Rohem'Valekimae (approximately translated as "Roaming Potential.") Four generations later (long before the Araela'ans first arrived at the Keep) a dragon and a knife-holder of the Rohem'Valekimae bonded for the first time. Some suggest the Dragonheart pendants caused some sort of generationally compounded biological/neurological shift that made DragonBonding possible, but no one has definitively proven it.
Saurshao'v'a is the shell of the incredibly rare white dragon. A milky, opalescent stone shot through with ribbons of gold and all the dragon colors except black, Saurshao'v'a has as-yet-unfathomed healing properties. To protect the small supply, all of this type of Saur'Lapis is, by dragon permission, moved to the vaults of The Aal'Shenae--the Guardian A'Losshae's temple--immediately following hatching. A small amount is also sent to Raa'Phen for study and experimentation. Almost no one knows of its existence. Should a white dragon choose to Bond and need resources to support themself and their BondMate, they will be supplied with other types of Saur'Lapis from the Reserve that Raa'Phen maintains for dragon use.
Once Saur'Lapis moves out of the dragon cave and into the market or treasury, it is considered a Celestial Currency and is honored, if not outright coveted, by virtually every Haka'am. The price of Saur'Lapis by weight varies annually, based on rarity. Rarity is determined by an annual report issued from the Guardian Raa’Phen of Delretha'an to the rulers of other Haka’amen and is based on the colors of the dragons in that 'Round's hatchings and the current reserves by weight of each dragon-shell type. Hatchlings intending to Bond are not counted in the annual report because their shells are reserved to support their Kovalek’Tzamo’kimae and the Saur’Guarda Garrisons and training facilities.
Dragons can be Gold, Silver, Blue, Green, Purple, Red, and Black.
Types of Saur’Lapis:
Paz’Tok
Paz’Tok’v’a
Daema’aaz
Daema’aaz’v’a
Azuul
Azuul’v’a
Ma’daez
Ma’daez’v’a
Misthus
Misthus’v’a
Y’Brae
Y’Brae’v’a
Aal’Khos
Aal’Khos’v’a
There are two additional types of Saur'Lapis that are not only incredibly rare, but very difficult to obtain:
Saurtriel and Saurshao'v'a, more commonly referred to as Dragonheart and Dragonsoul.
Saurtriel/Dragonheart was first discovered by the Aankhana Band of Rohem'Valekimae (before they became Rohem'Valekimae and were known only as the Bands) of Delretha'an in one of their Sheltering Caves in the Dragons' Teeth mountains. Discovered in a deep cave, littered with the rubble of a long ago earthquake, it was thought to be a form of Aalkhos compressed over time deep in the earth. Legend states that it was discovered during a heavy jhe'nox storm that had caused many of the Bands to retreat to various caves For safety. The Bands had a treaty with the dragons allowing them to hunt out Saur'Lapis within the areas defined by their agreed upon Sheltering Caves, so the Aankhana Band took advantage of their discovery and the enforced confinement to create a supply of spearheads, arrowheads and short knives. When they emerged after the storm had passed, they discovered that what they had thought to be the solid black of Aalkhos was actually swirled with all the dragon colors and, in sunlight, seemed almost to glow from within. Realizing this new Saur'Lapis was not a part of their agreement with the dragons and had to be exceedingly rare, they immediately sought the Guardian Raa'Phen's advice. He suggested that there be a gathering, not only of all the Bands, but of the Sovereigns Council of the dragons as well. Later known as the Dragonheart Accord, this gathering named the never before seen form of Saur'Lapis "Saurtriel" as it held the essence of all other forms of Saur'Lapis, and it was agreed that Saurtriel was only be used sparingly and for ceremonial purposes which would honor its rare and sacred nature. One spear was given to the leader of each of the eight Bands, and one short knife was presented to each of their designated successors. The remainder of items that had been shaped were given to Raa'Phen to investigate and experiment with. Wishing to commemorate the occasion and express their appreciation to the dragons, the Bands requested enough additional Saurtriel for their finest gem smiths to create pendants for each of the nine Sovereigns on the Council, the eight Band leaders and Raa'Phen. The dragons agreed, but stipulated that the pendants given to the leaders must be passed down through the family line, not leader to leader (though sometimes leadership did pass down through the families). From the time of the Accord, the dragons no longer required Raa'Phen to act as mediator between themselves and the Bands (though anyone seeking to address the Sovereigns Council must be a holder of one of the pendants) and began to refer to the Bands as Rohem'Valekimae (approximately translated as "Roaming Potential.") Four generations later (long before the Araela'ans first arrived at the Keep) a dragon and a knife-holder of the Rohem'Valekimae bonded for the first time. Some suggest the Dragonheart pendants caused some sort of generationally compounded biological/neurological shift that made DragonBonding possible, but no one has definitively proven it.
Saurshao'v'a is the shell of the incredibly rare white dragon. A milky, opalescent stone shot through with ribbons of gold and all the dragon colors except black, Saurshao'v'a has as-yet-unfathomed healing properties. To protect the small supply, all of this type of Saur'Lapis is, by dragon permission, moved to the vaults of The Aal'Shenae--the Guardian A'Losshae's temple--immediately following hatching. A small amount is also sent to Raa'Phen for study and experimentation. Almost no one knows of its existence. Should a white dragon choose to Bond and need resources to support themself and their BondMate, they will be supplied with other types of Saur'Lapis from the Reserve that Raa'Phen maintains for dragon use.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Once cut and polished, however, the colors shine with a brilliance that exceeds that of normal gemstones. Though raw Saur'Lapis can be dust covered and dull looking, only showing its color when wet, it will glow in response to the light of a Mage Lantern. Mage Lanterns have a chunk of Saur'Lapis at their heart, usually Daema'aaz as it is both silvery and translucent once polished and gives off a white light. The second most common Saur'Lapis for Mage Lanterns is Paz'Tok, whose glow is more golden and warm, fire-like but brighter than firelight or torches.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Depending upon the type, Saur'Lapis can be highly heat tolerant/resistive or heat conductive/retentive.
Saur'Lapis is magically conductive and will hold a charm or spell almost indefinitely, but can be very particular about which charm or spell. As a general rule, Saur'Lapis, particularly Azuul and Azuul'v'a resists dark sorcery and destructive or attacking charms and spells.
Saur'Lapis is magically conductive and will hold a charm or spell almost indefinitely, but can be very particular about which charm or spell. As a general rule, Saur'Lapis, particularly Azuul and Azuul'v'a resists dark sorcery and destructive or attacking charms and spells.
Compounds
Saur'Lapis is most often used in jewelry and ornamentation, as a spell component, a focus for magical workings, amulets and talismans, and as the most high value and always accepted form of currency.
Powdered Saur'Lapis may be used as an additive in variety of Glejhe (glass making) and metal work. This is prohibitively expensive for common use.
It is possible to incorporate Saur'Lapis into dyes and inks, making them brilliant and fade resistant, but this is also prohibitively expensive for common use. A portion of the King's Saur'Lapis is made into inks for use in Haka'am records, illuminated manuscripts and scrolls.
Geology & Geography
Saur’Lapis is found in the three Dragon Mountain ranges. It can only be salvaged from abandoned dragon caves or excavated from collapsed ones. Taking Saur’Lapis from an inhabited cave is both forbidden and exceptionally unwise. Each cave is marked with the sigil of the dragon who inhabits/inhabited it. If the cave is active, the sigil glows with the dragon's color. Once a dragon dies or moves out of the cave, the glow of the sigil fades, though the sigil remains scratched in the stone. Salvaging is the most straightforward way to obtain Saur'Lapis, but most of the easily accessible abandoned caves that are not collapsed have been emptied. The deeper into the mountain caves one goes, the more dangerous it gets. Certain types of Vesem live in the deep caves and no one wants to encounter a Vet alone in a dark cave (or even in company in a dark cave), since where there's one, there's usually more. There are other deep cave hazards as well. At a certain point, it just becomes easier to dig out a collapsed cave and hope the Saur'Lapis is still there. There is also the benefit of a possible reward from the dragons for digging out and shoring up a cave for new use.
Origin & Source
Saur'Lapis is dragon shell which generally matches the color of the dragon, though gold dragon-shells can be of any of the Saur’Lapis colors and contain actual ribbon-like inclusions of gold—these are denoted by adding ‘v’a at the end. Example: Saur’Lapis Azuul’v’a, which is the shell of a golden dragon in blue vs. Saur’Lapis Azuul, which is the shell of a blue dragon and contains no gold.
Life & Expiration
Saur'Lapis endures at least as long as dragons live and no one really knows how long that is, not even the dragons (after several hundred 'Rounds, they tend to lose track, though they instinctively recognize whether another dragon is older or younger than they are, which denotes rank, except among sovereigns who are ranked not by age, but by how long they have been sovereign, which gets a little trickier to track.
Distribution
Trade & Market
Only a set weight of Saur’Lapis enters the market each year. Saur’Lapis is highly regulated, and only certain haka’a’manem may dig for it. These miners and their tunnels and caves are only beholden to Raa'Phen and the Sovereigns Council of the dragons since Saur’Lapis belongs to the dragons and Raa'Phen is their designated agent. Raa’Phen receives 18% of each hatching’s Saur'Lapis and usually spends it on upkeep of his academy and students. An additional 36% is sent to the treasury that Raa'Phen maintains as reserve for the dragons should they need it. Though technically, the Dragon Mountains are the dragons' own sovereign territory, the dragons acknowledge that their hunting may of necessity range into Araela'a Haka'am lands and so the King of Araela'a receives 18% of each hatching's Saur'Lapis as compensation. Both sides are aware that this is a very generous amount, but is the dragons way of supporting the stability of the Haka'am without making Araela'a beholden to them--stable neighbors are quiet neighbors and the King assigns ne'Guarda to patrol at the base of the Dragon Spine and Dragons' Teeth mountains to prevent trespassing. (The Saur'Guarda patrol the mountains themselves.) This is probably the single most lucrative source of income for the Crown.
Saur’Lapis can be cut and polished and utilized in any fashion that an ordinary gemstone would be, but Saur’Lapis or items of or containing Saur’Lapis have a foundational price set by the weight and type of the raw Saur’Lapis used. While additional cost may apply for items which incorporate Saur’Lapis with other materials only the cost of the other materials is legally allowed to be haggled over. By tradition, the marked price of an item incorporating Saur’Lapis is priced with fair mark-up and paid without dispute.
Storage
Most of the Saur'Lapis entering the market is kept in a treasury, which is traditionally maintained by a Gem Holder appointed by Raa’Phen. The Gem Holders and their immediate families are assigned Saur’Guarda (either active or retired) for protection. Both the treasury and Gem Holder reside in one of the Saur’Guarda Garrisons closest to the caves where the Saur’Lapis is either salvaged or excavated.
Law & Regulation
Crimes involving Saur’Lapis can incur severe penalties for two primary reasons. 1. Don’t mess with Crown revenue. It is unwise to piss off your King. 2. Dragons have a proprietary and particular interest in seeing the relics of their hatchlings handled with integrity. You are crunchy and taste good with aandevarn sauce.
Such crimes are brought directly to the King for adjudication (an exceptional deterrent against these crimes), unless they involve violation of mining rules or dragon territory. Crimes involving mining rules and dragon territory are handled by Raa'Phen or one of his agents or, in extreme cases, Raa'Phen and the Sovereigns Council of the dragons.
There is a complex and strict process for handling "mined" Saur’Lapis. All Saur’Lapis finds must be declared, inventoried, mapped and turned over to a designated treasury. A Saur’Lapis miner may hold back up to 5% of their find for their own use or direct sale. The remainder is registered in the miner’s name by the local Gem Holder. With the exception of miners using or selling their allotted 5%, orders from craftsmen and sellers for Saur’Lapis are placed with and fulfilled by the Gem Holders. Most often these orders are placed through a Gheln rather than by individuals, since the Ghelnem are better able to collectively pay for secure transportation from the treasury. Proceeds from these sales are credited to the miner’s account (minus 1% for the Gem Holder and 4% for the Crown) and may be requested at any point. Most Saur’Lapis miners leave the majority of funds in their treasury account because it is more secure. A miner who is also a registered crafter or in contracted partnership with a registered crafter (almost always a family member) may request payouts from their account in Saur’Lapis, but this is also strictly regulated. Saur’Lapis crafter payouts need not be of the same types of Saur’Lapis the miner has salvaged, only of the same value. (Note, this may not amount to the same weight of Saur'Lapis as was credited to the miner's account--certain types of Saur'Lapis may have higher market value than others at any given time.) This allows for a greater variety of Saur’Lapis products available on the market. The meticulous records help to avoid the glutting of the market or artificial manipulation of prices. The required mapping of finds also reduces the chances of overlapping claims--each miner is assigned a territory, and if the recorded finds do not fall within that territory, there will be an investigation. With the wide-ranging and warren-like nature of the dragon caves, it is as likely as not that straying outside their allotted territory is a mistake and it can be difficult to prove it was not. However, if they strayed into another miner's allotted territory, compensation must be negotiated. Depending on where in the other's territory the miner trespassed, compensation could range between 80% and 20% of the find, with 50% being the standard unless the trespasser's find was practically on top of where the owner was working. The owner cannot claim more than 80% of the find unless the trespass can be proven to have been deliberate, since the trespasser utilized their own supplies and did the hard work.
Such crimes are brought directly to the King for adjudication (an exceptional deterrent against these crimes), unless they involve violation of mining rules or dragon territory. Crimes involving mining rules and dragon territory are handled by Raa'Phen or one of his agents or, in extreme cases, Raa'Phen and the Sovereigns Council of the dragons.
There is a complex and strict process for handling "mined" Saur’Lapis. All Saur’Lapis finds must be declared, inventoried, mapped and turned over to a designated treasury. A Saur’Lapis miner may hold back up to 5% of their find for their own use or direct sale. The remainder is registered in the miner’s name by the local Gem Holder. With the exception of miners using or selling their allotted 5%, orders from craftsmen and sellers for Saur’Lapis are placed with and fulfilled by the Gem Holders. Most often these orders are placed through a Gheln rather than by individuals, since the Ghelnem are better able to collectively pay for secure transportation from the treasury. Proceeds from these sales are credited to the miner’s account (minus 1% for the Gem Holder and 4% for the Crown) and may be requested at any point. Most Saur’Lapis miners leave the majority of funds in their treasury account because it is more secure. A miner who is also a registered crafter or in contracted partnership with a registered crafter (almost always a family member) may request payouts from their account in Saur’Lapis, but this is also strictly regulated. Saur’Lapis crafter payouts need not be of the same types of Saur’Lapis the miner has salvaged, only of the same value. (Note, this may not amount to the same weight of Saur'Lapis as was credited to the miner's account--certain types of Saur'Lapis may have higher market value than others at any given time.) This allows for a greater variety of Saur’Lapis products available on the market. The meticulous records help to avoid the glutting of the market or artificial manipulation of prices. The required mapping of finds also reduces the chances of overlapping claims--each miner is assigned a territory, and if the recorded finds do not fall within that territory, there will be an investigation. With the wide-ranging and warren-like nature of the dragon caves, it is as likely as not that straying outside their allotted territory is a mistake and it can be difficult to prove it was not. However, if they strayed into another miner's allotted territory, compensation must be negotiated. Depending on where in the other's territory the miner trespassed, compensation could range between 80% and 20% of the find, with 50% being the standard unless the trespasser's find was practically on top of where the owner was working. The owner cannot claim more than 80% of the find unless the trespass can be proven to have been deliberate, since the trespasser utilized their own supplies and did the hard work.
Type
Mineral
Value
Valued by type based upon the details of the annual Hatching Report.
Rarity
Determined by the number of hatchings that 'Round and the quantities available in reserve.
Color
Gold, Silver, Blue, Green, Purple, Red, and Black, with or without ribbons of gold, plus two extremely rare rainbow varieties
Melting / Freezing Point
Most standard heat sources will not melt Saur'Lapis except when the Saur'Lapis is powdered or in exceptionally small flakes.
Common State
Rough chunks of raw gemstone--the shards of a hatched dragon egg.
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