Pyric Glass

A substance found only on the Pyric Isles in the Western Sea, Pyric Glass is a material that closely resembles obsidian but has remarkable properties that make it unique. It is sturdy, with a low melting point and, when lit, it's surface ignites and creates a fire that can burn for a near indefinite period of time until doused without damaging the material itself. Pyric Glass has been used in jewelry and decorative items but has more value when used to produce weapons known as glassblades. It is highly prized throughout Thripia and extremely expensive.

Appearance

Pyric Glass, believed to be a form of obsidian, highly resembles that material. It is sharp, appearing naturally in shard-like chunks with a glossy surface that is deep black in color. Unlike obsidian, Pyric Glass has a noticeable dark emerald tint which is particularly visible in the marbling on the material's surface. When set alight, the fire it produces is often flecked with green, especially near the surface of the material itself, though certain glassblades have been found to produce a variety of colors.

Properties

Like obsidian, Pyric Glass, when refined to point, is extremely sharp. It is also capable of being shattered but is far less brittle than normal obsidian and can endure a much greater force, comparable even to metal, before breaking. Additionally, its melting point is far lower than normal obsidian which allows it to be cast into different molds and shapes. Its most valuable property, however, is the way it reacts with fire; flames will rapidly spread across Pyric Glass' surface. These flames burn with great intensity and will do so for an extraordinary length of time, usually until the fire is put out or doused manually. Despite the heat, Pyric Glass is not damaged by fire and only melts after several days of exposure. Glassblades, therefore, are formidable weapons which can be ignited near indefinitely and reused without concern. Glassblades are highly valuable for this reason and due to Pyric Glass' rarity only a handful have been made throughout history.
The exact way in which Pyric Glass forms is not known. It is found only in the archipelago of the Pyric Isles, from whence it derives its name, usually in the immediate vicinity of one of the region's many volcanoes. Unlike obsidian, which is normally found on the surface, Pyric Glass is most often found underground in cave systems and thermal vents. The heat of these regions makes it extremely difficult to recover safely. Miners usually rely on seawater flooding to dispose of any magma or lava in these tunnels, but this only happens on rare occasions.

Type

Glass

Value

~1,000 Sun per chunk

Rarity

Extremely rare

Color

Black and dark green

Related Locations

• The Pyric Isles

Related Items

• Glassblades
• Flame Oil