Alchemical Salt
Magic can coalesce into various physical forms given enough compression. One of these forms is Salt; small, granular particles, imbibed with a variety of properties depending on the location of their formation. These Alchemical Salts, useful in many alchemical processes, come in a variety of types; Crimson red; Cerulean blue; Viridian green; Aureolin yellow; Umbra black; Pearlescent white.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Not too dissimilar to typical sea salt, Alchemical Salts are rough and granular, with a sparkling finish to the grains that emphasise their hue.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Different Alchemical Salts are imbued with a variety of properties, and magical effects, especially when applied as an ingredient for alchemy.
Crimson Salt: Generates a substantial amount of heat depending on the quantity. Larger amounts of Crimson Salt seems to amplify its own heat, as such, it is wise to store this type of salt in small quantities.
Cerulean Salt: Floats on both fresh and salt water, naturally hydrophobic, and highly resistant to fire.
Viridian Salt: Highly absorbent of magical energy, storing it like a battery.
Aureolin Salt: Exhibits highly charged electrical energy, naturally luminous.
Umbra Salt: Extremely absorbent of light and is anti-reflective, exhibits negative weight.
Pearlescent Salt: Exhibits healing properties, invigorates emotions and uplifts the spirit.
Compounds
No alchemist has ever successfully created a stable mixture of Alchemical Salts in order to form a new, compounded type of Salt.
Geology & Geography
Alchemical salts are found in a variety of locations, many of which are found within the world itself. Viridian Salt is often found in extremely fertile locations like forests and meadows. Cerulean Salt is found in bodies water such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. Crimson Salt can be sourced from geothermal regions such as sulphur pits, volcanos, steam vents, etc. The typical location for finding Aureolin Salts is undetermined, however, it is believed that deposits of this type of Alchemical Salt can be located during lightning storms - bolts of lightning striking close to where Aureolin Salt can be found.
As for the final two, Umbra & Pearlescent Salts, they are not found naturally on the world. In fact, they are deposited into the world from The Void itself in the form of either Void Meteors or Fallen Stars, respectively. Void Meteors are solid chunks of The Void that has broken away and fallen to the world, whereas Fallen Stars are the literal stars in the night sky that have become detached, usually as a result of The Void solidifying, and have fallen down to the world.
Most of these Salts can be mined out from their sources much like any other earthly material. However, Cerulean Salt must be desalinated from its water source in order to extract purely. Umbra Salt is simply gained from breaking open the Void Meteor and separating the solid Void material from the Salt - similar process for the Fallen Stars.
Origin & Source
Alchemical Salts are the result of the natural energy that seeps from The Void condensing and becoming more solidified, typically mixing into the world's materials such as earth, stone, etc. If, for whatever reason, this process of solidification is interrupted, then Alchemical Salts are the result. Otherwise, the magical energy will continue to form crystalline structures, creating Magical Crystals.
Life & Expiration
As far as is known, Alchemical Salts appear to retain their magical energy for roughly a decade before starting to wane, unless their energy is used. Viridian Salt is believed to have a near infinite lifespan.
History & Usage
History
Alchemical Salts are believed to have been used since the dawn of the alchemical arts. No one is certain when that was, but many historians, both Humans and Beastfolk, seems to put the date somewhere around 3,000 years ago.
Everyday use
Alchemical Salts are typically used in brewing potions, utilising their natural effects for various means. Alchemical Salts have also been used to augment other materials, commonly Steel, to create powerful alloys such as Viridian Steel.
Industrial Use
Ever since the Mythik Crusade, both Magic and Alchemy saw a dramatic reduction in usage, especially towards the modern industrial age. However, around the early-15th century, Crimson Salt, along with a mixture of coal dust and sulphur, created a revolutionary substance that found its prime usage in warfare - gunpowder.
Distribution
Trade & Market
Due to their powerful properties, Alchemical Salts fetch a steep price on the market. However, due to the non-magical nature of Humans, and their fear of all things magical outright, Alchemical Salts are often not sold at Human markets. In fact, possession of Alchemical Salts within Human settlements can often lead to arrest, much like possessing any other illicit substances.
Storage
Alchemical Salts are relatively safe to store anywhere dry, so long as they are kept separate from any other type of Salt. It is common for Salts to be stored in pouches, jars, and pots.
Law & Regulation
Among Human civilisation, Alchemical Salts are prohibited and are only available to ordained alchemists.
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