Despanal
The scarlet despanal is a gem that is seen as, and likely is, a stone of dark alignment. Despanal is a transformation of alabaster after being exposed to strong, uncontrolled sorcerous magic, and was first found in Rhoska-tor after the destruction of Despana at the end of the Undead War. Theories state that the stone was first created by Despana's strong magic, however, the Faendryl believe that the stone was created by their magic in the destruction of her keep, Maelshyve, in the Battle of Maelshyve.
In appearance, the scarlet despanal is much like alabaster, except dark red in hue. Like alabaster, despanal is sometimes opaque and sometimes translucent, however, despanal is found more often in its opaque form than normal alabaster. Despanal is also often shot with veins of black, purple, or gold. Jewelers look for the gold veins in despanal, referring to the purple and black veined stones as dark or dead despanal.
Despanal, when ground, is an effective poison. The stone also tends to twist visions to display the worst possible outcomes when it is used to aid in divinations, and is therefore rarely used for that purpose.
List of Despanals
- Note: The rarities listed are estimates and depend on the status of the treasure system in the area hunted. Average values listed are approximations and are generally taken from the sell values of a character selling gems with no trading bonus. See the Trading article for more information on variations of sell values.
| Rarity: | Extremely rare |
| Average value: | Unknown (high) |
| Location: | Elven Nations |
a scarlet despanal
| Description: In hue, the crimson shade of this hard stone precisely matches the color of freshly spilled blood. Delicate black veins wind over its opaque surface, sparkling softly with gold whenever the light touches them -- and sparkling in shadow as well, possessed by some inner radiance that becomes visible only when the stone is protected from exterior illumination. |