Thunderglass

Thunderglass is a type of rare glass produced by the Shokai Templar. It appears to be an extremely hard, almost unbreakable glass that can be infused with spiritual energy to provide ambient light.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Thunderglass in its most basic form takes on the same appearance as normal glass and therefore appears transparent. It appears to be able to be molded into a variety of shapes like regular glass. If it is blessed by a Thundershaper of the Shokai Templar or a Thundercaller monk, it becomes infused with a bluish white light.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Thunderglass is extremely hard; harder than bronze, and can be extremely sharp when forged into a blade. It can be quite cool to the touch, and infused thunderglass, if touched directly, can cause the hairs on one's arm to stand upright.

Origin & Source

The Shokai Templar and the Thundercallers are extremely tight-lipped about the source of thunderglass, and it is shrouded in secrecy. Unlike most secrets, this has never in at least a thousand years been revealed by any member of the clergy. It's unclear whether they are compelled to keep quiet by some outside source or are simply all incorruptible. The official word from the priests of Shokai is that thunderglass is a holy material that the thunder god Shokai himself instructed his priests how to make. It is known that infused thunderglass appears to gain its light by prayers to Shokai himself.

History & Usage

Discovery

It is unknown how the Shokai Templar came to discover thunderglass outside of religious explanations. As with most aspects of the material, the priests and monks of the thunder god simply will not tell anybody how they came about it beyond Shokai granting them its knowledge. What is known is that no blacksmith or glazier has been able to replicate it. Thunderglass appears to be too hot for any conventional forge to melt down, so even trying to liquidate it to study its composition further isn't possible. Some even suspect that the Templar themselves do not know the process of its construction and may have stumbled across existing thunderglass artefacts that they have somehow managed to recast- but no other society known could produce such powerful glass that can be infused with spiritual energy.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Thunderglass is exclusively used by the Shokai Templar and the Thundercallers in the performance of their duties to Shokai. The most iconic use of thunderglass is in the single-edged thunderglass swords used by the Shokai Templar guards, Arbiters and elite Thundercallers. It is also used in the crafting of religious trinkets such as orbs, cubes and micro-pyramids, and is used to sheathe windows in the holy city of Arlan. It is also used to provide sources of light beyond torches and lamps. The use of such indicates the blessing of Shokai, particularly when infused with light.

Distribution

Trade & Market

The Shokai Templar will not under any circumstances permit the circulation of thunderglass within any market. Some of the wealthiest Avadian traders have offered fortunes for items and have come away empty-handed. Any attempt to steal and trade in thunderglass quickly calls down the wrath of the Templar.

Law & Regulation

The use of thunderglass outside of religious use by the Shokai Templar or the Thundercallers is strictly forbidden; and the former nearly went to war with the latter over the items that they had. Stealing it is considered the ultimate sacrilege and will have Arbiters sent after the thief relentlessly until they are dead and the item is recovered. Divulging any information as to the manufacturing process of thunderglass will quickly see a priest or monk also hunted by Arbiters or executed.

Type

Glass

Value

Priceless

Color

Transparent, can be backlit with blue-white light

Common State

Solid