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Obsidian is a type of dense volcanic glass. It is
normally black in hue, although it may contain a hint of green or
red. When broken, it produces smooth, slightly rippled curves
instead of displaying a crystalline formation, and the edges of the
fractures can be sharper than a fine steel blade. One odd variant,
spiderweb obsidian, is distinguished by many delicate, opaque white
lines spreading over its surface and through its depths.
Obsidian can be found near any active volcano and at
the death sites of many inactive ones.
Obsidian is aligned with the elemental energies of
fire.
One ancient elven legend relates obsidian to Onar,
patron of assassins. According to this legend, after Fash'lo'nae
first brought fire to the mortal races, there was a stir of powerful
anger, for both the Great Drakes and the majority of the Arkati
agreed that the mortal races should not have fire. The force of this
divine anger created a vessel by which the desire for revenge could
be executed -- Onar, a powerful spirit, who knew nothing of anger
and everything of death. Onar possessed the first man ever to build
fire and used his talented hands to knap an obsidian blade. This
blade was the first weapon ever possessed by a mortal. Night after
night, controlled by Onar, the man went into the darkness and killed
his cohorts, causing them to believe that this marvelous new tool,
fire, was cursed and would bring the mysterious open-throated death
to those who used it. One night, however, the man was observed in
his actions by a mortal woman, and she saw the obsidian blade that
he used. The woman figured out how to create a similar blade, and
then, when the man attacked her, she found that she could create the
open-throated death just as well as he could. Brought by Onar,
murder had become a tool of mortals, and mortals never forgot how to
kill.
Obsidian also holds special significant to the
Dhe'nar. Legend holds that, twenty-five thousand years ago, false
priests gathered the Dhe'nar of Sharath and announced that the
Arkati would grant a special blessing to them. Because the Dhe'nar
had forgotten the true way, a mountain rose out of the earth
instead, and fire rained down from the Great Mountain to destroy the
city of Sharath, killing almost ninety percent of the Dhe'nar. When
the cataclysm ended, the surviving Dhe'nar found that the
surrounding forest had been transformed into ash, and they saw that
the flanks of the Great Mountain glittered black with a thick layer
of obsidian. From that day forth, the Dhe'nar have treated obsidian
with reverence, and many carry or wear a piece of obsidian as a
reminder not to stray from the true path.
Obsidian is natural glass of volcanic origin that is formed by the
rapid cooling of viscous lava. It has a glassy luster and is
slightly harder than window glass. It is typically jet black, but
the presence of hematite (iron oxide) produces red and brown
varieties, and tiny gas bubbles may create a golden sheen. Other colors include: gray,
blue and green.
When there are bubbles or crystal inclusions,
it is often called snowflake obsidian. Some obsidian has
iridescence: flashes of color.
Obsidian was used by American Indians and others for weapons,
implements, tools, and ornaments, and by the ancient Aztecs and
Greeks for mirrors.
Obsidian keeps us balanced during times of change, assists
in focusing energy and making a clear path of action when tough
decisions need to be made. It is said to be helpful in dealing with digestive and
intestinal problems. |
