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Despanal is actually a transformation of alabaster,
which becomes despanal after it has been exposed to an intense
degree of uncontrolled sorcerous magic. Like alabaster, it is
sometimes translucent and sometimes opaque, but it is more commonly
found than alabaster in an opaque form. Despanal is a striking dark
red stone that may be shot with veins of black, wine purple, or
gold. It is significantly more sought-after by jewelers in its
gold-streaked form than in either of the others, and the others are
sometimes termed "dark despanal" or "dead despanal" to reflect this
lack of value.
Despanal can be found in Rhoska-Tor, beneath Old
Ta'Faendryl, in New Ta'Faendryl, near the Demonwall in the
Turamzzyrian Empire, and in other locations where significant
deposits of alabaster have been exposed to strong sorcerous magic.
Some reports also suggest that despanal may be found in the lands of
the Erithi, but the Erithi are notoriously close-mouthed about their
home's riches and refuse to discuss the matter at length.
Despanal is nicknamed "banshee stone" because it
was first discovered in Rhoska-Tor after the destruction of
Maelshyve. It has a variety of properties related to sorcery, but it
is most notable for assisting summoners in bringing demons between
worlds. Using despanal is a two-edged sword, as it increases the
demon's power without increasing the summoner's control. Despite its
lack of value in jewelry, dark despanal is more sought-after for by
practitioners of the arcane, because gold-streaked despanal is less
magically active than the other two.
Despanal has no healing properties. When ground
finely, however, despanal powder makes a startlingly effective
poison.
Despanal is rarely used in divination by most
seers, as it tends to twist the results not only to display but to
invoke the worst possible outcome in any possible situation --
self-fulfilling prophecies are not a possibility but a certainty
when trying to divine with despanal implements.
Most of the elven cities presume that Despana's
magic created despanal, resulting in the name, but the Faendryl
believe that their sorcery was responsible for its creation rather
than Despana's. Outside Ta'Faendryl, despanal is not usually an
appropriate gift to anyone who does not practice the sorcerous arts,
though it is acceptable to purchase and wear despanal oneself. Among
the Faendryl, a gift of despanal is a compliment to the recipient's
skill and power, even if the other person is not a sorcerer. Most of
the sylvan folk make a point of avoiding the stone entirely. |
