Great Aetherium Refinery

The Great Aetherium Refinery was purpose-built to extract, process, and refine the vast Aetherium deposits found beneath Aetheria’s surface. Its primary function was to fuel the Subraxian Empire’s military and industrial machine, enabling the large-scale production of Corrupted Aetherium to power their devastating weaponry, technology, and infrastructure. While its original intent was strictly industrial, the refinery also became a symbol of the empire’s control over Aetheria and its resources, as well as a testament to their technological ambition. The structure now stands as a critical hub of Subraxian power, its purpose intricately tied to the empire’s expansionist goals.

Over the years, the Great Aetherium Refinery underwent significant alterations to accommodate the growing demands of the Subraxian Empire. Initially designed as a large-scale extraction and refinement facility, its capacity was expanded to include multiple subterranean mining shafts that reached deeper into Aetheria’s vast Aetherium reserves. Advanced automated systems were added to streamline the extraction and processing process, reducing the reliance on Xalar labor and increasing efficiency.

To bolster its defenses, the refinery was outfitted with powerful energy shields and anti-aircraft emplacements after the first few raids from rebel factions and external threats. Additionally, a network of surveillance systems and fortified walls were constructed to ensure absolute control over the facility.

In time, the refinery evolved into more than just a production facility. High-capacity storage silos were built to stockpile refined Aetherium, and research laboratories were established to experiment with new applications of both pure and Corrupted Aetherium. These alterations cemented the refinery’s status not only as a cornerstone of Subraxian infrastructure but also as a critical symbol of their technological and military superiority.

The Great Aetherium Refinery embodies a style of architecture that is both functional and foreboding, reflecting its role as a centerpiece of Subraxian industrial might. The exterior design is dominated by sharp, angular lines and towering spires that rise from the facility like jagged monoliths. Constructed from reinforced alloys and heat-resistant composites sourced from Aetheria’s volcanic landscape, the structure exudes a menacing and impenetrable aura.

The walls are dark and matte, blending with the surrounding rocky terrain, but streaks of glowing purple from Corrupted Aetherium conduits run through the structure, creating an eerie, otherworldly illumination at night. These veins of light pulse rhythmically, mirroring the facility's operations and symbolizing the lifeblood of the Subraxian Empire. Towering smokestacks release occasional plumes of energy-charged steam, further accentuating the refinery's industrial dominance.

Internally, the architecture emphasizes efficiency and control. Cavernous halls house massive extraction machinery and processing units, while narrow observation walkways line the upper levels, allowing overseers to monitor operations. The facility’s interior walls are adorned with intricate, glowing murals depicting Subraxian victories and the dominance of Corrupted Aetherium, designed to inspire loyalty and fear among workers and visitors alike.

Functional aesthetics dominate the refinery’s design, but its grand scale and luminescent adornments transform it into a symbol of power, a fortress-like structure that is as much an emblem of Subraxian ambition as it is an industrial complex.

The Great Aetherium Refinery is equipped with a layered defense system, designed to deter both external assaults and internal sabotage. Its towering walls are constructed from heat-resistant alloys and reinforced composites, capable of withstanding orbital bombardments and ground-based heavy artillery. These walls are interspersed with automated turrets armed with plasma cannons, strategically placed to provide overlapping fields of fire.

Energy shields powered by Corrupted Aetherium generators form an additional layer of protection, capable of deflecting most projectiles and energy-based weaponry. These shields can also be modulated to withstand specific threats, such as concentrated EMP attacks or sustained kinetic barrages. At key entry points, heavily fortified gates are reinforced with magnetic locking systems and guarded by sentry drones armed with rapid-fire energy weapons.

The refinery employs a network of advanced sensors to monitor its surroundings, capable of detecting cloaked vessels, heat signatures, and electromagnetic disruptions. This sensor grid is integrated with automated alert systems, instantly activating defensive protocols in the event of an intrusion. Surveillance drones patrol the perimeter and interior, providing constant visual and thermal monitoring.

Internally, the refinery has choke points with retractable blast doors that can seal off sections of the facility during a breach. Security personnel, equipped with Corrupted Aetherium-enhanced armor and weaponry, patrol the halls and are stationed at critical areas, including the control center and processing units.

To guard against sabotage, the refinery incorporates failsafe mechanisms, including automated lockdown systems that isolate compromised sections and prevent cascading failures. Additionally, an array of countermeasures such as electrified barriers and gas dispersal systems can neutralize intruders attempting to infiltrate sensitive areas.

These defenses make the Great Aetherium Refinery not only a critical industrial hub but also an imposing fortress, capable of withstanding sustained assaults while maintaining uninterrupted operations.

The Great Aetherium Refinery, constructed in 2482 on the planet Aetheria, was a monumental achievement in industrial engineering and the culmination of Lord Subrax's vision to harness Aetherium on an unprecedented scale. Built adjacent to the largest known Aetherium deposit—the very site where Subrax was revived by pure Aetherium—the refinery was a pivotal asset in the Subraxian Empire's rise to power. Its creation marked the beginning of the large-scale extraction, corruption, and processing of Aetherium, revolutionizing the Empire’s technological and military capabilities.

Initially, the refinery's establishment faced resistance from the native tribes of Aetheria, who considered the site sacred. Subrax, however, crushed this opposition, incorporating the refinery into his empire's vast network of industrial and military operations. Over time, the facility expanded significantly, integrating advanced technologies, including Corrupted Aetherium-enhanced machinery and defense systems, making it a vital hub for the Subraxian war machine.

Throughout its history, the refinery became a symbol of both Subrax's dominance and the controversial exploitation of Aetheria's natural resources. Its role in supplying the Subraxian Empire's fleets and armies cemented its place as one of the most critical locations in the galaxy. However, its legacy is marred by the destruction of Aetheria's sacred lands and the relentless pursuit of power at the cost of the planet's cultural and ecological heritage.

The Great Aetherium Refinery, while not traditionally a tourist destination, has attracted a niche group of visitors over time. Scientists, historians, and industrial enthusiasts from across the galaxy often journey to Aetheria, intrigued by the refinery's role in the Subraxian Empire's technological advancements and its unparalleled industrial scale. They are eager to study its massive processing chambers, observe the intricacies of its Corrupted Aetherium production lines, and learn about the engineering feats that made such a facility possible.

For others, the refinery represents a dark chapter in galactic history, drawing activists and cultural preservationists seeking to document the destruction of Aetheria’s natural and spiritual heritage. They often explore the surrounding areas, particularly the remnants of native sacred sites and the unprocessed Aetherium deposits.

Visitors typically stay in the nearby fortified industrial settlements that house workers and military personnel. Though not luxurious, accommodations are utilitarian and secure, reflecting the refinery’s militarized environment. For wealthier or more influential tourists, private lodgings in exclusive sectors of Aetheria’s larger urban centers provide more comfort, albeit under strict surveillance by Subraxian authorities. Despite the dangers and restrictions, the refinery’s immense scale and historical significance continue to captivate those who wish to witness the site of one of the galaxy's most transformative and controversial endeavors.