Fool's Ichor

No Magic. No amulets, no charms, no spells.

Not a spark. Not if you value your life.

Forsake every scrap of security that magic gives you.

for it will not help you here.

Not against the golden poison that lurks underground.

Properties

Material Characteristics

A golden liquid, Slightly thicker than water. Ichor tends to shimmer in light, reminiscent of the ancient legends of Ambrosia, the drink of the ancients who once tended the land. In its processed form, it becomes fark thicker and loses its golden hue, turning a transparant opaque similar to glue.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Fool's Ichor is slightly warm to the touch, although touching it bare-handed is not advised. In its processed state Ichor is tacky and far cooler than in its raw state.

Geology & Geography

Fool's Ichor was originally found only in the Black Forest, geographically in the southwest part of Mira. The mineral forms in small pools over time, either bubbling to the surface when forced upward or dug into by miners in search of other materials.  However recently the largest deposit known to man was found deep in the heart of the Forest of Metal. Geologists believe that the trees' ability to sap materials from teh soil to continue their growth allowed many small pools to ooze together into one large deposit.

History & Usage

History

The name of this mysterious mineral comes not from legend, or myth, or heroics. Its very name is a warning that this luscious liquid is not the appetizing drink it appears. In early history it was considered a curse-Those who discovered Fool's Ichor in their homestead were doomed to an early death. And when many homesteads indeed vanished of the face of the earth, leaving nothing but scorch marks and ash, it was easy to believe.
Even after its tendency to explode when exposed to Magic was discovered, the mineral was considered a foul omen. Its credibility only changed in recent history when it was discovered that, when processed, the mineral made an excellent preservative of historical pieces. Not so much for fruit, sadly.
The most recent event layman could claim to know regarding Fool's Ichor is the destruction of Briarburn Forest, now known as the Black Forest. A Wizard seeking an unusual power came to a small village, making demands and doing his best to assert his authority. Despite the pleading of the local mayor, he set off a bolt of lightning in the town square. The magic energy released reacted with the Ichor that had been carefully poured into a bowl for disposal, and leveled the town. The shadowy outlines of the villagers fleeing can still be seen on the bark of the dead trees, and the Wizard himself stands in the center of the ruined plaza, perfectly preserved in a golden sheen.

Discovery

Fool's Ichor, while it's not known who first discovered it, was first hawked as the 'drink of the gods' by an unnamed salseman in the Aegis kingdom. A man who quickly vanished when his customers began appearing in their rooms, dead yet perfectly preserved. One went back to his farm, never to be seen again when it exploded and vanished in fire. The Queen of the time quickly forbade all sale and consumption of the mineral until it could be found, although it was decades before its source, hidden in a glade in the forest, was discovered.

Everyday use

Processed Fool's Ichor is used as a preservative, not of fresh fruits or meats but of historical artifacts, and as a hull sealant. The preserving properties of the liquid are far more potent in its processed form, sealing whatever it covers against any element or bacteria.  However, the tacky substance is only sold in small quantities due to the difficulty of mining and processing it without destroying the entire dig site.

Refinement

Fool's Ichor needs to be refined before it can be used safely, but the secrets regarding this process are very closely kept. Not to protect trade secrets, but to prevent lackadasical miners from going to seek their fortune and getting themselves killed.

Hazards

Fool's Ichor is extremely hazardous in its natural state: It reacts violently when exposed to magic, and explodes before perfectly preserving the aftermath. Mages are forbidden from entering dig sites for this very reason, and all workers are inspected for magical items before beginning work.
The refined Fool's Ichor, while losing its volatile reaction, is still poisonous and consumption is not reccomended.

Distribution

Law & Regulation

Fool's Ichor is forbidden to be sold in its natural form, and is only sold in small quantities in its processed state. Its volatile nature when exposed to magic prevents it from being used in highly populated areas. Such as remote hermit outposts, for example.

Type

Ore/Mineral

Rarity

Extremely Rare

Odor

Sugary-sweet, with a taste of nutmeg and cyanide.

Taste

No one's been brave or stupid enough to taste it.

Color

Unrefined: Goldish-yellow

Boiling / Condensation Point

No known Boiling point

Melting / Freezing Point

No known freezing point

Common State

Liquid

Related Locations

• The Forest of Metal
• The Black Forest