Telfrar

Telfrar is a fictional mineral used in fantasy literature and worldbuilding to describe a rare crystalline substance. In most settings, it is a silicate mineral that forms in high-grade metamorphic rocks and is prized for its distinctive glow and resilience. Crystals are described as translucent to opaque, with color ranging from blue-green to violet, and a vitreous to pearly luster. On the Mohs scale, telfrar is typically placed around 6 to 7, and it shows strong cleavage along two planes.

In many settings, telfrar absorbs ambient energy—magical or technological—and can enhance enchantments or devices when refined and properly oriented. Artisans cut and facet it into focus gems for staves or diadems, or grind it into a fine powder to amplify sigils and wards. Refined telfrar is described as stable under heat and pressure, though it is sometimes depicted as brittle if handled improperly, which adds a risk factor to mining and processing.

Geographically, fictional sources place primary deposits in the Eboncrest Range and nearby valleys, often in contact with quartz veins and magnetite. The rarity and perceived enchantment-enhancing properties make telfrar highly sought after in trade networks, with value tied to specimen quality, color, and luminescence. Etymology traces the name to a fictional dwarven dialect meaning light-vein, reflecting its luminous character.