It is a curious thing, that in the production of high-level arcane spellcraft, the use of 'generic', or 'versatile' spell components is almost ubiquitous among mage-kind. In his dissertation, 'Reagent Theory' (83 A.R.), Master Aleph of the Arcane Tower tells us that; "[t]he most common and versatile spell components tend to be compounds derived from either powdered Malachite (copper carbonates) or peridot (silicate olivine; colloquially 'Greenstone') mixed with arcane blood".

In this monograph I will attempt to decipher why precisely these components have become so widespread, and whether they are genuinely the best reagents for the job. The first factor is incredibly simple to clarify - malachite, copper carbonate, glass and copper are widespread and low-cost, requiring little fundamental knowledge to produce, giving the would-be crafter of spell components an easier time. Let us move on to detail - first, let us look at malachite-derived components; typically created using artisan processes. Malachite is a result of the weathering of copper ore, and is soluble in acid. Additionally, its bands of varying shades of green lend it an attractive colour.

In traditional component work, copper is used in spells of information transference, such as detect thoughts and sending. It is also a linkage component, leading me to believe that it may in fact be the catalyst, and not the primary factor determining arcane potency. Swiftly bringing me to the second ingredient, an ingot of refined copper. Neither of these items are useful, then, in the production of magical power, always being used in linkage. Why, then, is it a versatile spell component? Perhaps the fact that it links in a very broad, shallow manner, rather than being a specific, deeply potent reagent, makes it so useful. For instance, a vial of acid will function admirably for any acidic evocations, whereas it would be a disastrous component for almost anything else. I believe that as malachite is inextricably linked to copper for its very existence, so too are these components linked to the magical craft itself, when used during the act of spellcraft. Themes of resonance and reciprocity are well-observed in magical practice.

Greenstone-based components, meanwhile, are typically alchemically processed rather than artificed. I will refer to 'greenstone' as peridot from now on. All silicates, of which mineral family peridot is a member of, are used as symbols of fragility, explaining the use of mica (specifically the act of crushing it) in the spell shatter. It seems strange to try and apply fragility on such a broad scale, but similarly to malachite, I believe this is simply catalytic, and not the true centre of its power as a spell component.

Glass is the other ingredient, and is often a common substitute for spells demanding crystal instead, as it is a cheaper alternative (but thus inferior). Crystal possesses a number of interesting arcane features, too many to list here but one in particular is the use of shaped crystal in force evocations; which are often described as producing effects comprised solely of magical energy, as opposed to classical elements. In this way, I believe, glass acts as a 'core' for the reagent, representing a charge of formless magic (i.e: not elemental, and thus universal), with the peridot acting as a 'shell', a brittle binding agent that allows the reagent in question to be easily broken to contribute its energy to the working of a spell.

In conclusion, the mass production of these cheap spell components is based on a firm foundation of centuries of magical study and reagent theory, and can be seen as the 'baseline' upon which all other spell components are measured against and quantified. It should be remembered, however, that all other reagents are not simply 'specialist', and that over-reliance on cheap components may prove stifling, or even limiting to any mage who wishes to advance his craft beyond simple replication of his peers.

Laeman, Apprentice at the Arcane Tower of Arelith

84 A.R.