Ambergris was a substance extracted from the stomaches of whales,[7] giant whales, leviathans,[8] and narwhals.[9] It was a precious trade commodity used for creating various aromatics and perfumes.[3][8]
Description[]
This gray, waxy, oily and highly flammable substance was secreted by sick whales. In its voluminous fresh form, ambergris was sickeningly yellow[8] and emitted a profound stench. However it could be sold for 1,000 to as much as 20,000 gold pieces in a big city.[7]
Availability[]
Ambergris was sold thorough Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue, priced at 1 gold piece per 6 ounces (170 grams).[6]
In Waterdeep, the City of Splendors, ambergris could often be found among perfumes, stored in silver and glass vials, even though it was a scarce substance,[1] imported through the city's Dock Ward.[10]
The city of Velen in the Lands of Intrigue was a major exporter of various products of the sea, including fish, shellfish, and whales. Oils, pearls, and ambergris were among these trade goods.[2]
The sailors of the Sea of Fallen Stars often hunted the intelligent whale bards of Serôs for their ambergris.[11]
Usage[]
- In the land of Zakhara, sheikhs used ambergris and musk rolled into tiny balls to perfume their palaces and tents.[3] In Iram, lavish palaces were perfumed with tiny balls of ambergris, incense, and musk, imbedded in the marble walls and floors.[4]
- Duster elemental vermin fed on scents, flowers, and ambergris.[5]
Magic[]
- Cetacean form, the divine spell granted by Deep Sashelas, used a pinch of ambergris and a holy symbol as its components.[12][13]
Religion[]
Deep Sashelas showed his favor to the devotees by blessing them with discovery of ambergris, aquamarines, Angelar's skin, and other underwater precious resources.[14]
Appendix[]
See Also[]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ed Greenwood and Jeff Grubb (September 1988). City System. Edited by Karen Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 31. ISBN 0-8803-8600-2.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Steven E. Schend (August 1997). “Book One: Tethyr”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Lands of Intrigue (TSR, Inc.), p. 58. ISBN 0-7869-0697-9.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Steve Kurtz (1994). Al-Qadim: Cities of Bone: Adventure Book. (TSR, Inc), p. 55. ISBN 1-56076-847.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Steve Kurtz (January 1994). “The City of Lofty Pillars”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #201 (TSR, Inc.), p. 13.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Monstrous Compendium included in Tim Beach, Tom Prusa and Steve Kurtz (1993). City of Delights. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 1-56076-589-5.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 38. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 100. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 David "Zeb" Cook, et al. (1989). Monstrous Compendium Volume Two. (TSR, Inc), p. 137. ISBN 0-8803-8753-X.
- ↑ Rick Swan (1995). The Complete Barbarian's Handbook. (TSR, Inc), p. 123. ISBN 0-7869-0090-3.
- ↑ Allen Varney (May 1989). Knight of the Living Dead. (TSR, Inc.), p. 52A. ISBN 978-0880385985.
- ↑ Mel Odom (May 2000). The Sea Devil's Eye. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 17. ISBN 978-0-7869-1638-2.
- ↑ Mark Middleton et al. (1999). Priest's Spell Compendium Volume One. (TSR, Inc), p. 107. ISBN 9780786913596.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 108. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 105. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.