Carbon

Carbon is the most stable element in the universe when it comes to mana storage. ALL forms of carbon can function like a mana battery with varying levels of success. Silver Age texts describe Carbon as the primary element that makes up the Ashes of Creation and explains that the atomic structure of the element is why it is so easily able to store mana. That said, Iron Age scholars have no concept of things like atoms as their sciences are not at the same level.

When Conjuring, Carbon isn't very difficult for mages to create, though Human mages are unable to conjure crystalized forms of carbon, and even Elves have trouble conjuring graphite. Its most common use is in creating a stream of carbon dust mixed with Hydrogen and the surrounding air. Thermal energy is added to create an effective flame thrower. If a large amount of carbon dust is conjured and there is a delay in adding thermal energy, an explosion can be created instead.

Hydrocarbons, Carbon and Hydrogen molecules, can also be conjured though not as easily. Experienced mages can create even more effective flame throwers if they know the correct hydrocarbon molecules to conjure. There are also magic traps that will cover the affected area in a sheet of tar before setting the tar on fire.

As far as manipulation goes, there are three common forms of carbon that the Iron Age regularly use: Graphite, Coal, and Diamonds:

Graphite crystals are the most common form of carbon used by common people. They make for cheap, effective writing tools, and can also weakly conduct electricity and mana. Graphite absorbs ambient mana in small amounts and can also be charged with mana from a caster, making them excellent Mana Batteries. Silver Age Texts mention forms of Graphite that are excellent conductors of electricity and can store raw lightning magic, but the exact composition of them are not known to Iron Age scholars.

Diamonds are the Ultimate Mana Battery. A Kilogram of Graphite can store and channel roughly 500 MP worth of Mana. A 5 carat gemstone grade diamond can store the same amount. When storing large amounts of mana, a Diamond can store its mana charge forever and will never degrade, unlike other elements and even other forms of carbon. Diamond Dust is often mixed with charcoal ink to stabilize written magic spells such as enchantments.

Coal isn't completely made of carbon and also has large amounts of other light elements in its compositon. It has been mined for thousands of years as an energy source, providing heat and light. It can also store mana. Coal buried deep in the ground has also absorbed some of the Aether, the Primordial Energy left from the Gods countless years ago. Some Mages will carry around pieces of Coal to channel this energy rather than attempt to invoke the true nature of the Old Gods. After doing this, the coal will fall apart into gray ashes.

Atomic Number:
Phase of Matter:

Conjuring Cost:
Manipulation Cost:
Mana Types:

6
Solid

4 MP
<1 MP
Fire
Earth