Sun Jewel BladeOne creation during ancient times was the Sun Jewel. Made by mixing crushed Sunseeds into lava, and casting it, the result was a black orb that shined like the sun in the light.
By messing with the amount though, at around 60% Sunseed, and 40% Obsidian. The result was something that almost seemed to breath. As it sat, steam would emit from it's surface. By taking this combination and casting it as a blade around a pre-made obsidian handle, a sword was created. Once polished and chipped, it could be used to cut down both trees and people with ease. As the blade entered a body of water, an eruption of steam would occur.
Latter times show this to be the Sunseeds effecting the liquid in the target, instantly turning it to a gaseous state. In this manner, striking into a tree would create an eruption along the line of the blade as it met the liquid stored within. Moreover, the blade itself was constantly warm and safe to touch normally. It was only in direct contact with liquid that steam erupted around it.
A modern scientific analysis shows that these Sun Jewels are created from the ground Sunseed acting as a type of crystal seed, with the lava adhering to it and taking on it's properties as it cools. Hence the observation of things made of it seeming to breathe. It's effects on water are very specific, turning a liquid state to a gaseous state. Strangely, it has no affect on frozen materials, unlike a pure Sunseed. The resulting Sun Jewel material showcases material strength like that of crystals like sapphires and emeralds(7.5-9 on the Mohs Scale depending on quality, with 7.5-8 being average), and can be said to move from being mineral-like to an actual mineral composition.Houses of Light: ()
Etroan Water Purifier: (6) TricMagic, Stirk, Madman, Jilladilla, The Ensorceler
Etroan Fasion: (2) Stirk, Rockeater
Etroan Farming: ()
Craft Swords: (4) Madman, Jilladilla, The Ensorceler, TricMagic
Gemtipped Arrows: (0)
Sun Jewel Blade: ()
This item will help for steam engines later on, since it turns water to steam on it's own. Granted, it is the same as the water purifier tech, but in a different direction since it's a weapon. It's not like having multiple techs in the area will hurt though, and obsidian is still used today.
Though, I am fine with the current votes I suppose..
Next turn Design.
The Discovery of Moonseeds, and the creation of a Steam PaddleboatFound on the shores of Tamin Orodruin were black stones. We went to create obsidian arrows out of them, only to discover the rock covered something else, a gem. But unlike other gems, frost immediately begin to cover it's surface on being exposed to air.
From breaking them, we found that they were the same Sunseeds we knew. But rather than heat, it drew heat into itself to fill it, making the surroundings colder.
These stones were used to keep ourselves cool for many years, but eventually, they became Sunseeds, shining as Sunseeds do. From this, it came to be known that Moonseeds, found encased by obsidian, were those who had given all their heat to the earth. And Religion spoke of them as God's Tears which created Tamin Orodruin.
Given enough use, Sunseeds become Moonseeds, and eventually become Sunseeds once more. However, it appears to take a decades for that to happen to Moonseeds, and Sunseeds have yet to show signs of becoming Moonseeds. This seems to be because Sunseeds give all their heat to the volcano, before becoming encased by their own cold as Moonseeds in solid rock.
Regardless, the discovery of Moonseeds led to the creation of the first steamship. Sunseeds turned water to steam, and Moonseeds turned steam back to water. Together, the steam turned a paddle connected to a gear, which in turn spun a larger shaft. And that shaft's paddles dipped into the water to push a boat forward. A simple and effective Steam Paddleboat. This tech eventually came to be utilized to create boats that could travel upstream, and in turn, gave rise to the first ocean ships. And those ships could travel far along the coastline, allowing us to spread our people to become a Kingdom.