Dragon Glass

Properties

Material Characteristics

Dragon glass is a type of glass often collected in large fragments. It has a swirling pattern trapped within the glass, but is generally colorless. There can be flecks of color depending on the impurities within the sand where it was made. It also has varying levels of clarity, with some areas being more transparent and others more opaque. This enhances the swirling.

Physical & Chemical Properties

This glass has industrial strength. It can be broken, but is much more durable than most other types of glass. It is otherwise inert.

Geology & Geography

Dragon glass is created by dragons in the desert and borderlands.

Origin & Source

"The beauty of dragon glass must mirror the magnificence of the beasts that make it." --Retired Explorer Max Jamison

Dragons create this glass if they are stuck out in a sandstorm without cover. They will kick up the sand and melt it into a glass bubble (colloquially called a dragon egg). This glass protects them from the worst parts of the sand storm. After the storm, the dragons break out of the egg. The shattered remains of the egg are harvested as dragon glass.

History & Usage

Everyday use

Dragon glass has been used for tools, windows, and jewelry among other uses. Given its rarity, it is used for very specialized tools and only as decoration in the most wealthy circles. It is a highly sought after material in Piromere given its utility for inventions as well as its rarity. The Numab are more likely to come across it and use it for more utilitarian purposes (tools). However the Numab will use particularly beautiful pieces as ornamentation.

Refinement

Edges need to be smoothed as they can be quite jagged. It can be difficult to get large pieces intact, so they are often broken down into easier to transport pieces. They can be polished for use as windows or decoration, but for industrial uses, they aren't usually refined.

Reusability & Recycling

It is fairly reusable, but it is difficult to bring fragments together. So if a piece breaks, it cannot be put back together. Smaller pieces can be smelted down and recast, but it will lose its strength and swirling pattern. It will be normal glass at that point.

Distribution

Trade & Market

This is considered a luxury item. Harvesters will bring in pieces from the desert to be refined at Deefin Gate and sold to Piromese traders. Because dragons are rarely caught out in the open of a sandstorm, dragon glass is rarely found in the desert.  However, it is becoming more common as storms have become more unpredictable.

Law & Regulation

"The desire to own a piece of dragon glass can often blind even the wisest trader to a forgery." --Retired Explorer Rand Belmont

There are no rules or regulations on Dragon Glass. However given its rarity and high value, there is a thriving market of forgery dragon glass. Forgers attempt to recreate the swirling patterns in standard glass, but it is difficult to recreate and they cannot gain the same strength as dragon glass. The knowledgeable trader tries to smash at least one piece when making a trade. However, there are enough unwary and uninformed travelers and traders that supply the forgery trade plenty of dupes.

Value

Extremely valuable

Rarity

Extremely rare

Color

Colorless with some flecks of color based on origin. Varying levels of clarity.

Common State

Solid

Related Locations

• The Borderlands