Carrara Quarries
Carrara is an independent city in Tuscany, famed for its export. Situated in the Apuan Alps, near Monte Sagro, which was a sacred sanctuary to the ancient Ligurians. This mountain together with the Monte Bego and Mont Bégo made up a sacred path to the Ligures tribes. Recognized as such by the statues-stelae they erected upon them. It's speculated that the mountains might also be connected supernaturally, thought this has never been proven.
The Ligurians were conquered by the Romans. As such the religious veneration of the mountain ceased, replaced with a great gutting of it. The region, and Monte Sagro in particular, are filled with high quality marble. Quarries quickly opened, and to 1220 they still operate. Of any marble in Mythic Europe the marble from Carrara is of the highest quality and beauty.
Carrara marble was called Luna Marble by the Romans. It is known for its predominantly white background with subtle, elegant grey veining. The veining can vary in intensity, creating unique patterns in each slab. The high contrast between the white base and the grey veins gives Carrara marble a classic and sophisticated look. It has and continues to be deeply appreciated. Most significantly it was used in constructing the Pantheon, and Trajan’s Column.
Carrara as a city is quite rich, though the 9th century was tough upon it. Warfare saw the destruction of the nearby harbour of Luni at the mouth of the river Magra. Conflict is again on the rise as the Guelphs and Ghibellines battle. Carrara is on the side of the Ghibellines and the faction's support has won the city its independence - broken free from the control of the Bishops of Luni. It has a gothic cathedral which fittingly is constructed entirely of marble. A local delicacy is Lardo, a type of salume with herbs and spices, cured in a marble basin.
There are various magical auras of Mont Sagro, of varying strength. In these auras usually it's also possible to find veins with Marble of Virtue. If the mountain still has a Genius Loci, it has probably been crippled by all the quarries upon it. Members of House Verditius and House Jerbiton both have been known to buy huge chunks of Luna Marble. When using the rules form A&A for determining Aesthetic Quality of a sculpture, add a +3 bonus if the artist uses Luna Marble.
Marble of Virtue
A Stone Block of Marble of Virtue contains 2 pawns of Terram vis and can be Enriched. The Enrichment process is slow and tedious compared to many other Enriching rituals. The whole block must be painstakingly carved into a human figure. Then the statue must be destory, sparing only one of its eye. Wearing this eye as an amulet gives the Minor Supernatural virtue Eye of Hephaestus, which only works on stone sculptures or buildings. See C&G page 71 for details.