Scapulaan

Scapulaan is a fictional mineral described in fantasy literature and role-playing game materials. The name is thought to derive from the Latin scapula, reflecting the mineral’s commonly flat, plate-like crystal fragments that resemble shoulder blades in illustrations. In world-building lore, scapulaan is valued for both its beauty and its supposed arcane properties.

Description and properties

Scapulaan typically forms tabular, two-dimensional prisms with a flat, scapula-like habit. It ranges in color from pale blue to deep green and exhibits a metallic to pearly luster. In fictional mineral science, scapulaan is described as a silicate complex with trace iron and titanium, giving it a slightly iridescent sheen. Reported hardness in lore places it around 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, with good cleavage in two directions, and a tendency to fracture along the plate-like planes. The mineral is often described as brittle when handled without care.

Occurrence and mining

In its fictional setting, scapulaan is found in metamorphic rocks associated with hydrothermal activity, commonly in mountainous or volcanic regions. It is mined in veins that crosscut schist and gneiss, sometimes near geothermal vents. Excavation requires careful safety measures due to gas pockets and the potential for cave-ins, as well as the risk of dust-related eye and respiratory irritation.

Uses and cultural significance

Scapulaan is prized for jewelry and decorative carvings, and is also valued in magickal and technological systems within the lore for its resonance with etheric currents. It is used to craft rune conduits, focus lenses for crystal-powered devices, and ceremonial objects. Economically, scapulaan trade features in several in-world markets, with controversies over mining impacts on local communities and environments.

Etymology and references

The term scapulaan appears in fictional dictionaries and game manuals, often linked to its plate-like appearance and symbolic associations with balance and alignment.