Glowstone

Found only deep under the frigid mountains of the far north, glowstone was only recently discovered by miners of the Mardhelm Empire as they dug deeper and deeper into more mundane deposits of iron, tin, and coal. It is a remarkable stone which emits a soft blue light; a phenomenon that only grows more intense as the stone itself is cut and polished.

They don't even use torches in the mines anymore. They just save a chunk of glowstone from going into the carts and hang it overhead when they put up the beams to reinforce the tunnel.

Thus spoke Hargan, a gemstone merchant in Dralheim.

Many uses have already been developed by the fledgling glowstone industry. At first, they were considered a curiosity. They have gone on to revolutionize the night in the larger imperial cities. Streets lined with glowstone lanterns illuminate the city at all hours, pushing back the shadows and encouraging a vibrant night-life never before seen in these cities or elsewhere among the realms. Decorative elements as well, such as jewelry, have become all the fashion among the elite both withing the empire and abroad. Exports of glowstone have grown in recent years, and it is being used to light up the darkness across the mortal realms.

Physical Properties

Glowstone is lightweight by comparison with other elements, weighing barely a pound for a fist-sized sample. In its raw state, it is often found in veins similar to that of iron ore. When first cut from the mines, the raw version of the stone barely emits any light at all. It appears as a blue stone run through with black streaks. As the stone is cut and polished, removing the impurities from the surface, the light emitted by it becomes much brighter. The larger the cut sample, the brighter the light. A four-inch sphere is usually suitable for a lantern, and emits twice as much light as an oil-burning counterpart. Smaller stones cut for jewelry barely glow, just enough for an aesthetic appeal.