Phoenix Lacquer

This rare and precious material is known for its remarkable property to preserve any item it coats, protecting it from the ravages of time and decay. The lacquer is a blend of the mythical phoenix’s blood and a magical dust, whose recipe is a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few.
Phoenix Lacquer appears as a shimmering, golden fluid, with a consistency slightly thicker than water. When applied, it dries to form a translucent, protective coating that is nearly imperceptible. The lacquer not only prevents physical decay but also wards off magical corrosion, making it invaluable for preserving enchanted items whose spells might otherwise fade over time.

Utility

The utility of Phoenix Lacquer extends beyond mere preservation. It is sought after by adventurers wishing to safeguard relics recovered from their quests, by mages who wish to maintain the potency of their arcane foci, and by historians eager to protect ancient texts from deterioration. In some cases, the lacquer has been used in the restoration of artifacts thought to be beyond repair, breathing new life into them.

Manufacturing

The process of creating Phoenix Lacquer is as enigmatic as it is arduous. The blood of a phoenix is a gift granted only upon the creature’s death, which, given its ability to be reborn from its ashes, is an event of rare occurrence. The magical dust, meanwhile, requires mana crystals of the highest purity, which must be ground down and enchanted through a series of complex spells.
The manufacturing process involves a ritual that must be performed under specific astrological conditions, with the alchemist reciting incantations to bind the phoenix’s essence to the dust.

Access & Availability

Due to the rarity of its ingredients and the complexity of its creation, Phoenix Lacquer is exceedingly rare. It is most often found in the treasuries of kings, the vaults of mage guilds, or the private collections of the most affluent and powerful individuals in Zæthéria. The lacquer is typically used to preserve small, precious items such as amulets, scrolls, and other artifacts of significant magical or historical value.

Discovery

The discovery of the Phoenix Lacquer is rooted in ancient alchemical lore. It was during the Age of Advencement that an alchemist, whose name has been lost to time, first observed the regenerative properties of a phoenix’s blood. The alchemist, driven by a desire to harness such power, combined the blood with a dust made from ground mana crystals, creating the first batch of Phoenix Lacquer. The result was a substance that could imbue items with a fraction of the phoenix’s legendary immortality.