Red Seretite
Red Seretite is an iron-rich intrusive igneous rock comprised of majority red-brown seretite minerals, with traces of Chromium, iron and Hbr-234, which gives the rock its famililar blood-red colour.
Red Seretite, also known as Tarragonite, its name is derived from the word for dragon in Gylarusian, due to the ancient belief that the stone was petrified dragon's flesh. Because the mineral readily absorbs magical energy, it has been used for Ink sequestation in the process of making Amberline, as an alternative to Blue Lassantine.
Found in rock formations in Northern Meraqia mostly, this is a form of Seretite that contains a greater quantity of the element Hibr-254 that binds with iron oxide, giving it the traditional ‘blood red’ colour. Once eroded, small pieces of this mineral is present in the sand, soil and clay of countries like Laros, Umqher, Northern Jastel, and some of the Northern Meraqian island chains, giving it the famous ‘Red’ colour which gave the location the name the 'Red place' by the Gylarusians.
Ecology
Tarragonite soil
The pale-red pinkish sand of the Larosi coast and rocks of the Tarragon's Ridge mountain range contain mostly Red Seretite, giving the region its name. Tarragonite soil, due to the high carbon, hydrogen, calcium and other essential plant nutrient content in minerals in the Tarragonine subgroup allows the soil to home plant-species that might otherwise struggle in the climate. Endangered and fragile plant species due to the soil's water-sequestering properties and high nutrient content often flourish on Tarragonite outgrops, and most take on the pinkish-red colour from the hibr and chromium minerals in the soil. The pink colour and magical properties of the Ghamiyah Plant are due to its growth in Tarragonite soil. The sought-after herb Larosi Tarragon has a deep red color to its leaves and stem which signifies its origin in Laros as compared to variants of the plant grown elsewhere.Occurrences
There are several large deposits of Tarragonite in middle Laros. Tarragonite is often found in the Iasrumi Archipelago due to its carriage by currents in the Gulf of Thiathi out to sea from the gem-bearing river gravel on the banks of the gulf, made by water erosion of sedimentary deposits.Uses
Tarragonite has a Mohs' hardness of roughly 3.0-6.0, meaning that it is relatively easy to carve. Tarragonite surfaces and furniture remain a popular Larosi export due to its similarity to marble, and Tarragonite with a higher Mohs hardness, Tarragonine and silica content has been used for jewellery as a precious gemstone.History & Usage
Everyday use
Tarragon Red is a well reknowned and expensive pigment made by refining Tarragonite. It variants such as Tarragon Orange and Tarragon Pink are known for having a deep warm quality to them which they give to any paintwork made using them. Due to Tarragonite's toxicity to non-magic users, for a long time the pigment was only used by Illustrial painters, leading to its sense of rarity and prestige in common society.
Cultural Significance and Usage
Named 'Tarragon's Stone' by the Gylarusian historian Daenus the Lightfoot, due to his belief that the continents of Meddlemark and Meraqia were petrified dragons and that the unearthed deposits were section's of the creature's skin, there has long been a cultural reverance towards the stone, with restrictions being put on its use and trade several times over the centuries.
Myth of the Ruby Knight
Historians have posited that the presence of microscopic pieces of Red Seretite in the clay and soil in Laros might provide a scientific explanation or inspiration for the Myth of the Ruby Knight in Larosi Folklore.Hazards
Due to the presence of Hbr-235 in Seretite, the mineral can be hazardous to those not already immunised, as unionised Hbr-235 electrons can damage cells without an ionised hbr-232 barrier, causing cell death or mutation.
Type
Ore/Mineral
Rarity
Semi-Rare
Common State
Solid
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