abstract
| - Attack the rock face of a mine, and you usually chip away at iron, silver, or ebony. But if you know where to look, you can occasionally find gem veins still shrouded in their rock shawls. While other precious minerals are prized for their different properties, alchemists desire but two specific crystals when brewing potions in their cauldrons and more delicate laboratory stations. Be certain you keep your eyes open for embedded chalcedony and porphyry on your travels. Embarking upon a mining expedition is somewhat different from hunting for pelts or cutting wild mushrooms from the forest floor. Firstly, be sure your mine isn't abandoned for a reason; trolls, wolves, or more canny creatures prefer these cool confines. Secondly, be certain you are not trespassing on another's claim (or if you are, bring appropriate weaponry). And finally, and most importantly, bring a pickaxe sharp enough to pry out these stones, but without cracking them or otherwise chipping away at their value. "Refine your stones, the alchemist groans," as the Master likes to say: Many ignore the qualities of unrefined gemstones, preferring to remove impurities once the gem slabs are mined. As these shavings of the gems are necessary for the alchemical refinement, they do not increase the value of the gems by polishing them. Although the luster and normal value improve, the residue of the deposits is lost, which is critical to the process. Barter with a different trader if your porphyry gleams instead of remaining half buried in stone.
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