In today's annual episode of
Three wondrous materials, arcanium, black iron and delirium!
Arcanium is a metal which can grow from a metallic ore if subject to powerful arcane energies. Usually it can be found in naturally magical places (near some natural arcane "batteries" like big crystal growths or fairy settlements) but it can grow once if a burst of magic happens (for example, if mages fought in a big battle, the battlefield is ought to have some of arcanium underground). Arcanium is a light blue metal which is easy to work with and it amplifies ones psychic potential if in direct contact. However prolonged contact with arcanium is physically and mentally draining and an untrained person can suffer serious damage. For its qualities mages use arcanium to empower their spells or as a material for various magical contraptions.
Rarely when a metallic ore is to be converted to arcanium it is converted to a black iron instead under unknown circumstances. Black iron is a heavy metal of a black hue which is hard to work with, but it's very sturdy and it seemingly repels any magic near itself. Unlike arcanium, black iron is exceedingly rare and remains not studied properly.
If there was enough arcane energies to cause an arcanium conversion but there's no ores in the ground, delirium is created instead. Delirium is a sand-like material of blue to purple colours which also glows faintly when left untouched or brightly if agitated. Delirium seems to give people a sense of unease and anxiety just by being in a close vicinity and a physical contact with it can induce a panic attack or a mental breakdown. It still has the psychic amplifying trait so it can be used (although highly not recommended) as a wizard berserk enhancing drug. Delirium can be smelted like regular sand into a glas which would shine and sparkle blue to purple colours but due to its pernicious quality it isn't usually used in glassmaking.


