Dardara Droppings
"It's a hot, smelly, thankless job that pays squat. Wait, why am I doing this again?"The Alazlamak Desert1 is home to a giant species of worm known as the Dardara Worm. These fearsome predators can be found all over the Alazlamak, but are most prevalent in the northwest corner. The droppings these creatures leave have become a valuable commodity to both the Kononoian Crown and the glass industry in Steadystone.
Fuel for the Masses
Dardara droppings are dry, dense, and can smolder for up to 8 hours, providing a moderate amount of heat. This is due to the unique mixture of sand and biological materials the creature eats, coupled with its digestive enzymes. The result is up to nine inch oblong piles that can be burned for fuel, and have been dubbed "dara-logs" by the people. The Crown initially sent out crews to gather the droppings in order to provide a cheap and effective fuel source for the serfs and indigents of the nation. It is not used much by the other classes, as the log does emit a slight chemical smell when burning. However, an accidental discovery regarding the properties involving these droppings changed the game in the Kononoian glass industry.Pretty Shiny Glasses
Credit for the discovery of Dara GlassTM is, to this day, highly debated. Excess sand gathered with the dara-logs for a long time was just piled in the corner of the processing center and then dumped back in the desert. Widdnort Gnibkedock, a gnomish junior apprentice with the Pumwar Glass Company, noticed the pile and asked to take some to get some more practice. He took it back to the shop and was amazed to discover that glass made with this sand did not come out clear, but instead had a unique red and orange iridescent swirl pattern. Pumwar Company wanted to take credit for the discovery as Gnibkedock was employed by them, and made the discovery inside their shop. Gnibkedock wanted to take credit as it was his discovery, even though it was an accidental finding. The Crown ruled in favor of Gnibkedock, and Kononoi Fuel & Glass Company was formed. Widdnort then presented the King with a proposal that moved the collection of dura-logs (and the sand found underneath it) to his company, at which point the Crown could purchase them. This was actually cheaper than sending collection crews out, and with that bold move cemented the success and longevity of his company. Dara Glass is used for window panes, glasses & tableware, ornaments, beads, figurines, and a wide variety of other products. The source of the glass is a highly-held trade secret, as most people would be appalled to learn they were eating off a plate that started out under a pile of worm poo.
Dardara Droppings by Midjourney AI
Type
Biomaterial
Rarity
common
Odor
mildly unpleasant
Taste
not edible
Color
white/beige, brown
Common State
solid
Related Species
by WorldAnvil
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Very fun to learn that the fuel for the down trotted has turned into the fuel for a new industry. What kind of effect does the resource demands of the glass industry have on the lives of the poor people who rely on the droppings as fuel?
The droppings are still there as a fuel source, it is the sand around the dropping that creates the unique glass. When Kononoi Fuel & Glass Company was formed they handle both the dropping and the sand collection. The crown actually saved money with this arrangement, and funneled that money towards other socio-economic programs instead. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed!