Lacofcite
Lacofcite is an oerthly mineral found in the underoerth, formed as tumkeoite decays.
Description
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Lacofcite is a dense and crumbling ore.[2] It absorbs particular wavelengths in the visible light spectrum and radiates light in both the visual and ultraviolet spectrums as it slowly decays.[2] This effect is described as lurid and ghostly. These "luminescent rocks in the ceiling glow like stars in a surface-world night."[3]
A massive deposit of Lacofcite appears in the uppermost, central portion of the Vault (of the Drow), as well as thousands of tiny deposits.[4] The effect makes it appear as if there were a strange plum-colored moon and stars.[2][4] Its light would be something akin to dim moonlight of a "wrong"-colored full moon. These also have been called "faux constellations".[5] The main deposit is 1,000 fathoms (1.1 miles) above ground-level,[4] and for it to appear approximately the size of a "regular" moon (Celene or Luna) when viewed from the ground, it would be about the size of a large 3- or 4-bedroom house (~2,000 to 2,500 sqft, or ~50ft width/diameter).[6][7]
Also describing the interior of the Vault of the Drow where numerous deposits of lacofcite stud the cavern walls and ceilings, there are "countless mauve, violet, and deep blue crystals [which] sparkle like stars in the ceiling and walls of the vault. These formations are remnants of unfinished creation, suspended in the cavern since [ancient] days."[5]
The radiation which "tumkeoite ... emits as it decays [into Lacofcite] ... is the special radiance that grants drow weapons, armor, and items their great bonuses"[8][note 1]. These "armor and weapons made of a strange black metal ... disintegrate within days."[11] (i.e. "drowcraft" items)
The "radiation akin to magical energy"[9][10] is known to interfere with teleportation[2] which, for the drow, is a good thing as it keeps surface-dwellers from raiding or invading magically in quick in-and-out assaults.
Creative origins
[edit | edit source]Lacofcite was named for Lenard Lakofka.
Gallery
[edit | edit source]-
Adam Paquette, Into the Unknown, WotC (2012)(2018).
References
[edit | edit source]Notes
[edit | edit source]- ↑ In early editions, this radiance is described as "ultraviolet" light radiation or "UV light" and is linked to the "infravision" of the drow in those editions.[8] In later editions which no longer use the scientific definition of UV light radiation, drow are given darkvision, and the radiation becomes more magical in nature.[9][10]
Citations
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Underdark (4e) (2010), p.66.
- ↑ a b c d Drow of the Underdark (2007), p.154.
- ↑ Underdark (3e) (2003), p.123, The luminescent rocks referred to here are from the Glimmersea, but the description is otherwise identical to Lacofcite, so it is used here comparably.
- ↑ a b c "The Vault of the Drow". Dragon #298 (Aug 2002), p.73.
- ↑ a b Into the Unknown: The Dungeon Survival Handbook (2012), p.67.
- ↑ Cuemath.com — Arc Length
- ↑ Arc Length Calculator. omnicalculator.com. Retrieved on 13 February 2026. "1.1mi radius, 0.5° central angle"
- ↑ a b Polyhedron #113 (Nov 1995), p.25.
- ↑ a b FOR2 The Drow of the Underdark (1991), p.111.
- ↑ a b Underdark (3e) (2003), p.86.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.135.
Bibliography
[edit | edit source]- Bonner, Logan, Matt Sernett and Jeff Morgenroth. Into the Unknown: The Dungeon Survival Handbook. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2012. Item code 39865.
- Greenwood, Ed. Drow of the Underdark. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1991. Item Code:9326 (FOR2) ISBN: 1-56076-132-6
- Gygax, Gary, David C. Sutherland III, David Cook, and Jeff Grubb. Queen of the Spiders. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1986.
- Heinsoo, Robert and Andy Collins. Underdark. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2010.
- Marmell, Ari, Anthony Pryor, Robert J. Schwalb and Greg A. Vaughan. Drow of the Underdark. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2007. Item code 95726.
- Mearls, Mike and Jeremy Crawford. Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2018. Item code C4594.
- Moore, Roger. "A World of your Own:Dark and Alien Places, pt. 1". Polyhedron Newzine. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR. 1995.
- Weining, Fred. Vault of the Drow: Dark Elf Metropolis. Dragon magazine #298. Renton, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2002.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lacofcite | Item | Mineral, | D3 Vault of the Drow (adventure) | 10 |
| Lacofcite | Item | Mineral, | Dragon magazine #298 | 73 |