Alarken

Alarken is a fictional mineral commonly appearing in fantasy literature, role-playing games, and world-building projects. It is described as a rare, dense crystalline substance found in deep subterranean veins and occasionally exposed in high-temperature vent regions.

In appearance and properties, alarken typically forms prismatic crystals with a blue-to-indigo hue and a subtle iridescence. In many depictions, the mineral glows faintly in darkness and changes hue under magical influence. Its hardness is often placed around 6 on the Mohs scale, and it is considered moderately brittle, making it difficult to extract without specialized techniques. In fictional lore, alarken conducts magical energy and can store or transfer arcane power when processed with appropriate catalysts.

Occurrence and mining: Alarken is said to originate in geothermally active zones, where mineral-rich fluids cool slowly to form crystals. It is scarce because deposits are localized and difficult to access, contributing to its high value in trade and crafting.

Uses: The mineral is used in spellfocus devices, sigil matrices, and high-tier enchantments. Artisans shape it into conduits for mana, or alloy it with other materials to create artifacts with enhanced resilience. In games, possessing alarken-bearing items can grant bonuses, but scarcity creates incentives to control sources.

See also: List of fictional minerals; Crystal (fantasy).