Mysterious Mineral

A strange mineral was discovered along the shores of Kedwin following recent, allegedly supernatural, pirate raids and was recovered by Inquisitor Almaric of the Church of the Celestial Flame. The exterior of the mineral is coarse and jagged and the coloration is not unlike dead coral covering a rock, common along the coasts. However, the interior of the mineral is fibrous, nearly silken, and bears a passing resemblance to hair.
Samples collected by the Inquisitor were initially sent to the Royal Academy of Sciences in Skallgrim for identification, but there was a not insignificant faction developing within the Church who believed that the mineral itself was not only evidence of the alleged heresies being investigated by Almaric, but a product of them: an artifact of the Unseen realm, and therefore not to be tampered with, but destroyed. Another faction within the Church believed similarly, but concluded that the mineral should be quarantined and studied by religious scholars rather than destroyed. Meanwhile, the academics in the Academy were adamant that they have never before encountered such a mineral, and desired the crown, or failing that: their patron, Duke Videnruse, to commission an in depth study of its properties.

After consideration, the council, led by Duke Alexander Videnruse of Haldir, resolved to send the samples to The Royal Academy of Sciences in Skallgrim, Haldir. The decision angered many in the Church of the Celestial Flame, but was seen as most prudent by academics throughout the Kingdom. Despite proposals by House Tonraq and House Hallow Evanescence that the research be overseen by Knights of The Order of the Flame or even an Inquisitor of the Church, it was decided that the studies would be kept safe by Duke Videnruse's own House Guard. Houses Videnruse, Hallow Evanescence, Nordrejeep, and Amon each contributed patronage to the Academy to fund the research.

During the first week of study, the scholars at The Royal Academy of Sciences discovered that the "hairs" of the mineral were in fact very fine, lightweight, and flexible crystal formations which exhibited surprising tensile strength. They hypothesized that if a method for weaving the crystalline fibers together could be developed, the mineral could be used in applications such as rope making, sail construction, etc. After considerable effort, a small prototype of experimental "fabric" was woven from a portion of the sample for testing.

During the third week of study, it was learned that the fabric was essentially unaffected by flame. As such, the scholars dubbed the mineral Onbesmet or "undefiled".

This is a developing situation and is ongoing. No action is necessary by the council at this time. Discoveries:

• The "hair" in the interior of the mineral samples was found to be a series of flexible, crystalline structures which exhibit great tensile strength. These structures can be woven together to form a type of fabric.
• The fabric woven from the mineral fibers proved to be resistant to flame. The cloth was used to wipe an oil stain and then thrown into a fire. The oil burned off, leaving the cloth clean and unburnt. The scholars dubbed the material "Onbesmet" or undefiled.