Darklight Ore (3.5e Equipment)

Darklight Ore
In the depths of the earth and hidden within the myriad folds of the underdark lies ores of heavy, dense gray stone known as darklight ore, so named for making certain objects seem to glow as if in a blacklight and being unusually warm to the touch. This is due to the ore being radioactive, and hazardous to creatures under prolonged exposure. It is highly prized by advanced societies who use them to power nuclear reactors once transformed into refined darklight rods. Even without refining, darklight ore is a danger to living tissue. Those who spent more than 1 minute within 30 feet of darklight ore must make a Fortitude save DC 10, +2 for every subsequent minute exposed in the last 24 hours. Those who fail their saves are sickened for as long as they remain in the area and for 24 hours after. They continue to make saving throws, and after three failed saves in 24 hours they are nauseated for 1 round and take 1 Con damage each minute, even after they leave the area. Only by casting heal or making a DC 25 Heal check as a full-round action can you prevent the inevitable slow death from constitution damage.

If the ore gets into the air as is common when mining, or otherwise bypasses the skin the victim immediately is sickened and must start making saves against its much more deadly effect. Ore dust typically remains suspended in the air for 1 minute before settling, though movement may kick up a cloud again. Creatures which are immune to [Light] damage are immune to the radiation damage and sickness caused by darklight ore. Darklight ore is safe to handle as long as it is not turned into powder or otherwise spread as debris. Such places where this fallout occurs can take ages for the darklight ore to finally decay into something safer.

Darklight ore is a poor material to shape into weapons and armor (although that hasn't stopped some from trying), it's primary use is in nuclear technologies, transforming into refined rods or depleted ore, and the rare oddball alchemical or magic experiment. Darklight ore goes for about Cost::150g per pound.