Leviathan Oil is a valuable substance extracted from whales hunted by the Crimson Elves on the Red Coast. Primarily used in lanterns to navigate through the darkness of inland areas, this unique oil also serves as the primary form of elven currency. Its dual role in illumination and trade makes it a cornerstone of elven culture and economy.
Leviathan Oil: Elf Money
Even back in ancient times the magical properties of leviathan oil were known. But it wasn’t until the Great Cave-In, when the darkness grew to cover all but the center most part of the cavern, that the oil truly became valuable. Light from burning the oil has the ability to push the darkness away, making inland travel far easier.
In recent times, hunting whales and refining their oil formed the foundation of the Crimson Elves’ success and is the main reason why so many elves live on the Red Coast. The hunt for oil also led to significant improvements in ship building which in turn also increased trade on the sea.
The oil has now become synonymous with wealth to the point that it serves as the primary currency for most elven lands.
Not Just Any Oil
Leviathan oil has several properties that set it apart from plant-based oils or animal fats:
- Its flame repels darkness at a greater distance.
- It burns brighter and far more efficiently. The same amount of leviathan oil will burn ten times longer than other oils.
Together this has made inland travel and trade much easier. A single lantern of leviathan oil is enough for a small party to travel many leagues through the darkness. While doing the same with grease lamps would require several lamps and a substantial weight of grease to carry.
Standard Units of Measurements
Each 100 (144 in human numbers) times larger than the previous
- Drop
- Vial
- Flask
- Barrel
Lantern
A depiction of traveling through the darkness painted by the famous cartographer duo. The original hangs at the Elizeium Baths.
Artist: The Bacon Brothers.
Style: Spooky.
Medium: Oil and soot on canvas.
Test your Oil
Burning Test
To verify that the oil is authentic, you can burn a single drop on a splinter of wood and look for the following signs:
- Leviathan oil gives off a very distinct light and burn without smoke.
- Leviathan oil burns much longer than any other oil. A single drop can sustain a flame for several minutes.
- If the leviathan oil is not pure (for example, if it has been mixed oil from plants or animal fats) the flame will produce thick smoke.
Bright-Brass Test
Bright-brass is a metal that reacts with oil and can be used to authenticate it. Standard sealed vials and flasks will contain a small flake of the metal to ensure the oil is pure.
- When agitated, the bright-brass gives off flickers of light if it is in contact with oil. So simply shake the vial or flask and look.
- Bright-brass reacts with pretty much any other substance and forms a black coat on its surface. This means even small impurities in the oil will turn the metal black and prevent it from giving off any light.
Fun fact: This property of bright-brass is why weapons made of the metal are seen as a status symbol. Not only are they expensive to buy, but the blade needs to be polished and coated in oil to keep its shiny appearance. The oil coating, combined with the metal, is also the reason why it sends off bright sparks when struck.
Other Properties of Oil
- Leviathan oil does not stick to glass, metal, or other smooth surfaces (with the notable exception of bright-brass). Instead, the oil beads up, forms drops, and rolls off. This is a useful property when used as a currency because the oil can easily be poured from vials and flasks without leaving even a trace behind. Although, it does stick to cloth, wood, and wicks.
- Leviathan oil has some magic properties and is used by alchemists, spinegrafters, and oracles.
