Talk Salt

"Talk salt?"

Zoë nodded, still holding out the dark gray rock. "Yeah, it's like rock salt. It almost rhymes, right?"

Dakota glanced at the talk salt doubtfully. "And you want me to lick it?"

Zoë sighed, exasperated. "Yes. These people won't be able to understand you if you don't. Look, I'll do it first." It was clear that she was trying not to wince when her tongue touched the rock, but Dakota could still see her eyebrows furrow.

"Is it working?" she said, still grimacing slightly.

"...I don't know. Is it?"

"Okay, it is. I'm actually speaking Italian right now, but you're hearing it as English."

Dakota stared at her.

"I guess there's no way to prove that. You try next."

Properties

Material Characteristics

Appears like dark gray rock salt

Origin & Source

Underground in magical areas

History & Usage

Everyday use

When it comes into contact with one's tongue (or another speech tool), magically translates one's speech to each listener's native language. It is the primary way of breaking language barriers.

Manufacturing & Products

Can be made into a tonic for the ears that translates all languages heard into the user's native language.

Type

Ore/Mineral

Rarity

Common

Taste

Extremely salty, but also tingles your tongue, like pop rocks