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Magical Materials

Ancient sorcerers discovered that there are things in this world that hold magic within them. The various philosophies of magic have used rituals since time immemorial to use this hidden power. Some claim that the magic comes from the object itself, others claim that they focus the magic wielded by the sorcerer. There are many theories concerning why such materials are required, but the fact remains that they form the basis of the economy of the Praetermundus.

Mined Materials

Once it was thought that there were seven magical metals (gold, silver, copper, mercury, tin, iron and lead), described as a pure form of a mundane metal. These pure forms are only found within the Praetermundus and even there they are not common. New Dunston has a rather high quantity of Primaferrus, or Black Iron, and consequently bases the market price of the other materials upon this one. These metals are commonly referred to as "black" because in the metals purest form they reflect no light at all. Most are not completely black, due to impurities, but some of the more powerful rituals require perfectly pure metals. Over the years ritualists have found that combinations of these pure metals result in odd, and sometimes unpredictable, coloring despite the lack of color in all of the original metals. Leading researchers believe that the colors may be due to hidden impurities and that an even purer form of the metals may exist.

The various factions of New Dunston also mine several magical gemstones and crystals. The rarest of which is called a Cerulean Diamond, and it is used in many of the most powerful rituals. The land to the south of New Dunston has a rather high concentration of what has come to be called Dragonglass. Found extensively near lairs of dragons, the glass is formed from the dragon's breath upon rock and sand. They generally use it to make their homes more comfortable or to mark their territory. A column of Dragonglass at a Gate makes many an explorer think twice about venturing in. The glass formed from various stone is used in many rituals.

There is only one material found as a liquid normally used in rituals in the New Dunston area, that being Dragon's Tears. Not actual tears of a dragon, this white liquid is found in some of the oldest pockets of the Praetermundus. No analysis has been able to determine what the liquid actually is, but its magical nature is not in dispute.

Organic Materials

Various parts of plants and creatures of the Praetermundus are also useful in many rituals. The eyes of cockatrice and basilisk are used in many earth-based rituals. Several species of mandrake and belladonna are used for a vast amount of rituals. The Lycaons make extensive use of a plant called Lyconium in their spiritual rituals, which is apparently useful for transformative magic.

A sampling of organic materials:

  • Mandrake (Mandrake rotus)
  • Belladonna (Belladonna mortuosa)
  • Bloodroot
  • Ash (Fractionus quadrangula serrulata)
  • Mistletoe
  • Witches' Brew
  • Grave mold
  • Lyconium
  • Wolf's Bane

Monopolies

Some of the Factions of New Dunston have monopolies on the rarer magical materials. While there are a vast amount of resources out there, most can be purchased at market value. The following are restricted by either one faction having a full monopoly or several factions sharing the only supply.
  1. Cerulean Diamond: The rarest of magical materials mined in New Dunston. House Enfield has held the monopoly on these diamonds for as long as anyone can remember; one of the few reasons the House has any power left in the city.
  2. Primargent: Due to the recent war, the purest form of silver known has risen in price to be the second most expensive material in the city. The Smiths control the majority of the Primargent within the New Dunston limits, with House Somerset having a small corner of the market.
  3. Feathered Onyx: The Steel Barons control the majority of this rare onyx having taken control of many of the mines that House Bergmann used to control in the early days of New Dunston. During their return, House Bergmann has reclaimed a small portion of their old territory.
  4. Ash: A tree often associated with mystical properties; there are several methods of growing and maintaining an Ash tree that allows the wood to be used in magical rituals. It is rare, but not unheard of, for these particular Ash trees to be found in nature. The Order of the Silver Oak has mastered the art of raising these trees and produces the majority of the useful wood for ritual purposes. House Bergmann stole the secret decades ago and has been growing their own Ash.
  5. Dragon's Tears: The Shawnee have a full monopoly on Dragon's Tears having control of the oldest pockets in the New Dunston area.
  6. Mistletoe: House Enfield has a complete monopoly on the form of mistletoe most commonly used in magical rituals. This closely guarded secret has kept them in the good graces of sorcerers over the years, even when no one else will talk to them.
  7. Mortuary dust: There is a peculiar mixture of ground stone that has been found to be useful in many rituals. Almost exclusively found in cemeteries this substance has come to be known as "mortuary dust". House Donnelly has a large supply from their own specially prepared crypts and cemeteries. The Buena Vista College also has a supply, but a much smaller one.
  8. Primaurum: The purest form of gold is mined by Angleterre and the Smiths in almost equal quantities.
  9. Primcuprium: The Coalition of Tradesmen has the sole supply of Black Copper in the city. While very useful in combination with many other pure metals it is rarely used alone in a ritual.
  10. Water Carnelian: Also a monopoly of the Coalition of Tradesmen, the "water carnelian" is so called because of it's use in elementally based rituals more than its amber color.
  11. Cockatrice eyes: House Bergmann raises many magical creatures, none more useful, or more expensive, than the dangerous cockatrice. They are the only Faction aware of the proper handling of the creatures and so have gained a monopoly on the resource.
  12. Wolf's Bane: The Shawnee have long used wolfsbane in their spiritual rituals to prepare themselves for battle with the Iroquois and so have a large supply on their own. The Order of the Silver Oak has started to grow their own supply over the years and now rival the Shawnee in their supply.
  13. Primstannum: The purest form of tin is mined by the Smiths mostly, though the Dabrowski Initiative have always had a small supply of their own.
  14. Lyconium: A resource mostly harvested outside of New Dunston, only Micah's Question has a steady supply.
  15. Opal of the Deep: These opals are found in deep watery caverns beneath New Dunston. House Slattery once held a complete monopoly over the gemstone because of several very useful Knacks and a lucky discovery. The Steel Barons found their own supply in the late 50's when they recruited several Nix to explore a pocket they had found.
  16. Mandrake: A specific species of mandrake has provided a root to ritualists for millennia. In New Dunston, only House Creoda and the AMMA have easy access to a supply of the root.