Evergreens

Amongst the whistling pine trees, the clashing of tools against rock and metal often sounds—the mines have never ceased their endless toil against the earth. It’s from these lands where much of the earthen goods of Western Keleva are extracted, ferried from here to all corners of Tykon.

Leech Iron

Leech Iron often reveals itself when the rain comes, its unique properties causing it to stand out amongst the other earthen elements. Veins frequently form closer to the surface and rise during heavy downpours, making them easier to extract. Alas, the metal is no more durable or heavier than iron—but it’s not without its novelties: formed like a sponge, it’s able to absorb fluids that come into contact with its surface. These liquids are then spread across their surfaces, allowing them to take on their coloration. For this, they’re often dubbed “Vampire Swords” as they tend to take on a red pigment when used in combat.

Amongst the artistic gentry, there’s perhaps no clearer choice in blade. Many aristocrats use Leech Iron dueling swords as a way of conveying their victory over another. The image of a blood-red blade is often used to signify victory—that the metal has been satiated in war. Others, recognising its artistic elements, find its use in less violent practices: forged into metallic sculptures that glisten a clear blue in the rain, breathing vitality into their dedications. Given its abundance, it’s widely employed by the poor in lieu of marbles for family keepsakes and headstone markers.

Heatreap

Heatreap is a type of stone found rarely in veins beneath the evergreens. Visually, it is consistent with other common minerals, being homogeneous and smooth. Heatreap is best carved or chipped with a tool, given its unusual heat-absorbent properties, which make smelting difficult; the stone is characteristically cool to the touch, and seems to steal away the warmth in one’s fingers if held for too long. But Heatreap will not reap forever; several months – or longer, depending on the age of the individual rock – use will render it unable to absorb anything further.

It will cool the skin of a living being to no less than lukewarm, but the stone may quickly chill vessels or sealed pots if introduced in fragments or made as the container itself. Such properties of Heatreap are prized by alchemists, butchers, farmers, and cooks to preserve foodstuffs and other perishables for longer before they spoil—that is, until the stone itself wears out. Heatreap, in its used state, will reach room temperature but may still find some use in stonemasonry or toolmaking.

Black Nail

Black Nail presents itself as a round, oval-shaped gemstone. Found underneath the vast expanse of the evergreens, many miners know when they come across it when the light from their torches is drawn in and swallowed. Those who come across this gem in dark spaces know to fear its nature, as light is almost instantly torn away from its source. It is capable of absorbing the light of 3 lanterns at maximum within a 10 ft radius, but its capabilities aren’t infinite; if this stone is caught in the sun’s light, its light-stealing effect ceases to work.

Amongst nobles, spymasters, thieves, and Seva worshipers, Black Nail finds its uses: many nobles use this gemstone within their bedchambers to keep light from entering while they sleep. More nefarious uses include thieves and spymasters who employ it to carry out their operations in the shadows. Statues of Seva usually incorporate some bits of Black Nail as they’re often linked to the nature of the Pale Lady—some even believe they’re the ends of her shadowy fingertips, reaching out of the shadows to bring her followers home.

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