Tumkeoite
Tumkeoite is a rare, heavy, and unstable magnetic mineral metal found in the underoerth which slowly decays with exposure to air. It radiates light in both the visual and ultraviolet spectrums as it slowly decays (ultimately transforming into a mineral called lacofcite). A huge mass of tumkeoite at the summit of the Vault of the Drow gives the appearance of an alien moon and starry sky in the rocky upper reaches of the Vault.[1] To human eyes this light is a ghostly plum color, but to those who have higher visual capabilities (as drow and derro do), it appears a shimmering amethyst hue and the wine-colored light produces a sight unlike any other. Various flora and funga—organisms like lichens and cave fungi—glow under the light of tumkeoite in "rose madder and damson... red ochres, vermilions, russets, citron, and aquamarine;" and water reflects "deep velvety purple."[2][note 1]
"The small 'star' nodes glow in radiant hues of mauve, lake, violet, puce, lilac, and deep blue. The large 'moon' of tumkeoite casts beams of shimmering amethyst which touch the crystalline formations with colors unknown to any other visual experience."[2]
The resultant radiation caused by this decaying interferes with teleportation.[1]
The radiation which "tumkeoite ... emits as it decays [into lacofcite] ... is the special radiance that grants drow weapons, armor, and items their great bonuses"[2][note 1] (i.e. "drowcraft" items).
References
[edit | edit source]Notes
[edit | edit source]- ↑ a b In early editions, this radiance is described as "ultraviolet" light radiation or "UV light" and is linked to the "infravision" of the drow.[2] 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.[3][4]
Citations
[edit | edit source]- ↑ a b Drow of the Underdark (2007), p.154.
- ↑ a b c d Polyhedron #113 (Nov 1995), p.25.
- ↑ FOR2 The Drow of the Underdark (1991), p.111.
- ↑ Underdark (3e) (2003), p.86.
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tumkeoite | Item | Mineral, | D3 Vault of the Drow (adventure) | 10, 11 |
| Tumkeoite | Item | Mineral, | Dragon magazine #298 | 73 |
| Tumkeoite | Item | Mineral, | Polyhedron magazine #113 | 25 |
| Tumkeoite Boulevard (Erelhei-Cinlu) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | Dragon magazine #298 | 78 |