A material that is resistant to decay
SC24 Prompt 32
Wave 4 | Prompt 2: A material that is resistant to decay
Type: Material
First time having to write for a material on World Anvil. The only thing I could think of that I could write enough for the prompt was Draconian Bone. I recalled reading a Tumblr post about some archeologists who couldn’t figure out what some bone tool was used for until they showed it to a craftsperson, and they immediately recognized it, and bone was still the best material for the tool, even after 50k years or whatever. I use that as inspiration.
Dragonkin bones possess exceptional strength and are highly resistant to abrasion, making them ideal for crafting certain tools. One popular application of these bones is in the creation of handheld burnisher tools used for leather working. These burnishers are typically crafted from the rib bones of dragonkin, showcasing the remarkable durability and utility of this material in the realm of crafts and trades.
I know nothing about craftworks, and I’m just assuming a rib bone would probably work well for a leather burnisher, just by how the tool looks. I’m sure there are other bone tools that we still use today, but for just handing in the prompt, I only talked about leatherworking.
Draconian bone, typically obtained through ethical means, presents a challenge to procure due to the feeding habits of the Necrodrake. These creatures feed on the bones and decomposing flesh of deceased animals. Despite their subterranean habitat, Necrodrakes venture to the surface in search of carrion, which they then haul back to their underground lairs.
I’d imagine getting draconian bone would be difficult just because of how long dragons live and how difficult it would be to try to poach them. Plus, you’ve got to deal with the Necrodrake, whose diet is animal bones and rotting flesh. This kind of makes draconian bone a luxury item.
The composition of draconian bone can differ significantly depending on the species. Certain types of draconian bone possess unique properties and are composed of specific compounds, making them well-suited for use in particular tools and applications.
Dragonkin in fantasy are unique creatures and I felt like that somehow maybe some of their bones have a slightly different chemical composition because of their diet or environment or something. This makes bones from specific dragonkin species highly sought after, which probably means that there are dragonkin poachers. Those bastards…
Draconian Bone, despite being a luxurious uncommon material, is often deemed an unnecessary extravagance due to the availability of more affordable alternatives. Many individuals hold the view that utilizing animal bone for the crafting of tools is ethically contentious, regardless of whether the bone is obtained through ethical means.
Because of those poachers, there probably would be a black market for draconian bone, now that I think about it. Hey, maybe that can be another prompt!
Anyway, because it is difficult to obtain, draconian bone is a luxurious, uncommon material. I’m sure that some people would be against using draconian bone, or any bone for that matter, even if it’s ethically sourced.