Clay was a common naturally-occurring kind of soil in Faerûn and beyond, often used to make useful and beautiful ceramic objects.[1][2]
Description[]
Magically-imbued clay.
Clay resembled thick mud or soft stone depending on how dry it was,[1] and weighed between 112 pounds (50.8 kilograms) and 162 pounds (73.5 kilograms) per 1 cubic foot (28 liters).[3] It was a particularly difficult kind of soil to handle with tools, with even hoes and plows struggling to break through the stiff and heavy mass.[4]
Availability[]
High-quality raw clay for use in magical spells and rituals was available for purchase through the Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue for 1 gold piece per 1‑pound (0.45‑kilogram). Another variety was available for only 1 silver piece per pound, as well as 1‑inch (2.5‑centimeter) fired spheres for 1 copper piece.[1]
Clay Deposits in the Realms[]
- In the Abyss, the cavernous Worm Realm was made up of earth, stone, and clay.[5]
- In the Delimbiyr Vale, there were rich clay pits along the banks of the River Shining.[6]
- Around Corm Orp.[7]
- The Elemental Plane of Earth was made up of various minerals, stones, and soils, with clays included.[8]
- The northern reaches of the Stonelands were largely made up of dry soil unsuited to agriculture.[9]
Usage[]
Clay ceramics from Corm Orp.
- Clay was commonly fired in kilns to make ceramic objects such as crockery, jars, sculptures, and tiles, in varieties such as stoneware, earthenware, terracotta, and porcelain.[2][10]
- Clay was used by scholars such as alchemists and wizards in their experiments, as it was a nonreactive substance that could be shaped as desired. Moist clay could be used to make heat-absorbing pads for holding hot vessels, shaped into temporary joins for glass piping, or moulded onto skin to protect against heat and acid.[1]
- Protective gear such as canvas aprons and gloves were steeped in clay, making them extra effective against acids, poisons, heat, and other hazards.[11] Canvas sailcloth for ships could also be imbued with clay to make it more resistant to wind, water, salt, and other threats to their integrity.[12]
- Clay could be used as part of disguise kits to alter facial features.[13]
- Clay golems were among the cheaper and simpler golems that could be made.[14]
- On the island nation of Wa, clay was one of the two common materials used in the construction of buildings.[15]
Food[]
- Fensir were known to eat some forms of clay.[16]
- Magma beasts subsisted on clay, among other things.[17]
Spell Components[]
- Conjure elemental required a small amount of soft clay if the caster wanted to use it to conjure an earth elemental.[18]
- Distance distortion used a small amount of soft clay.[19]
- Earthquake used a lump of clay.[20]
- Maximilian's earthen grasp required a miniature hand sculpted from clay.[21]
- Move earth used a bag of clay, loam, and sand mixed together.[22]
- Rising colossus used a ball of clay large enough to fill a caster's hand.[23]
- Stone shape used a piece of clay shaped into the desired form.[24]
- Transmute rock to mud used some clay and water.[24]
Magic[]
- Move earth could shift a large volume of clay and other soils.[22]
- Soften earth and stone turned an area of stone into a soft clay.[25]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), pp. 36, 42, 48. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ed Greenwood, The Hooded One (2007-12-22). Questions for Ed Greenwood (2007). Candlekeep Forum. Archived from the original on 2023-10-30. Retrieved on 2023-10-30.
- ↑ Shlump Da Orc (April 1978). “How Heavy Is My Giant”. In Timothy J. Kask ed. Dragon #13 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 5–7.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), pp. 51, 52. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur and Lester Smith (1994-07-01). “The Book of Chaos”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Chaos (TSR, Inc), p. 22. ISBN 1560768746.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 215. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), p. 175. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.
- ↑ Monte Cook (1996). The Planewalker's Handbook. Edited by Michele Carter. (TSR), p. 27. ISBN 978-0786904600.
- ↑ Eric Haddock (1994). Cormyr. (TSR, Inc), pp. 7, 10. ISBN 1-56076-818-5.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 44. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), pp. 39, 43. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 140. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 20. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 134–135. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Mike Pondsmith, Jay Batista, Rick Swan, John Nephew, Deborah Christian (1988). Kara-Tur: The Eastern Realms (Volume II). (TSR, Inc), p. 176. ISBN 0-88038-608-8.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur and Lester Smith (1994-07-01). “Monstrous Supplement”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Chaos (TSR, Inc), p. 12. ISBN 1560768746.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 182–182. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (August 1989). Player's Handbook (2nd edition). (TSR, Inc.), p. 166. ISBN 0-88038-716-5.
- ↑ Mark Middleton et al (November 1996). Wizard's Spell Compendium Volume One. (TSR, Inc), p. 258. ISBN 978-0786904365.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 236. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
- ↑ Jeremy Crawford, Mike Mearls (November 2017). Xanathar's Guide to Everything. Edited by Kim Mohan, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 161. ISBN 978-0-7869-6612-7.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 257. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1995). The Seven Sisters. (TSR, Inc), pp. 98–99. ISBN 0-7869-0118-7.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 295. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 280. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.