Chronite
The alien crystal.
Chronite is a highly valued mineral for devourers, having been deposited in the underground region of Askria. While all forms of chronite are radioactive, the chronite deposited by Slohkar's Impact subtly differs from the one that naturally generated afterward, and even more so from the crystalline clusters that pureblood devourers become after their death. It is stable and very resistant, but even standing nearby may be lethal for humans with no previous acquired resistance to the material.Effects.
Damage caused by being in proximity to chronite ore includes, but is not limited to, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and general decrease in the system's immunity to even the weakest of infections. Psychosomatic effects have already been observed in humans who have spent too much time in close proximity to the material, such as decreased cognitive abilities, dementia and psychotic episodes. Physical contact is theorized to be even more harmful, though few have ever gotten close enough to doing it for its effects to be fully analyzed. The effects known are severe skin burns that progress to gangrene and all of the aforementioned effects, though "a hundredfold increased", as described by an observer at some point. Other species appears to be able to detect the presence of the ore, but whether this is an adaptation acquired by those who have developed resistance after the initial exposure, or whether all creatures inherently possess this trait is unknown. Animals approaching chronite panic and do everything they can to move away from the location. It is dangerous to be nearby these animals, as they disregard all other concerns and fears they normally have with the aim of fleeing chronite in mind. Humans approaching chronite, in any concentration, will experience goosebumps, hair standing on end, and a general feeling of discomfort. If they persist in continuing in the presence of the material or, even worse, getting closer, the symptoms mentioned above will no longer be avoidable. This effect is also caused by beings that are affected by chronite - such as devourers, purebloods, or hybrids - even though on a smaller scale. Human beings feel fear or discomfort, while animals become aggressive towards the creature. Soul Devourers are the only species in Somnium that can be in the presence of the substance without any negative side effects. The multiple generations of exposure experienced by pure-blooded devourers is the factor to which this is attributed, having not only allowed them to develop said resistance to the negative effects of chronite exposure, but giving them all the characteristics that differentiate them from humans today. Devourer subspecies such as hybrids and forsaken also share such resistance.Properties
Material Characteristics
Chronite is typically found in crystalline form. It is known to emit some sort of harmful radiation dubbed "chronite radiation", faint light in the general color of the vein and also emanates a noticeable heat. The primordial form of chronite - the one deposited by the Slohkar Impact - is similar, at least in structure, to any other crystal commonly found in Somnium. The chronite that formed afterwards have been known to grow in root-like veins deep underground. Why it does not form outside of the underground or eventually reaches the surface is yet unknown.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Chronite is highly radioactive, and the factors of light emission and heat production are attributed to this, although the mineral has not been sufficiently studied in order to be certain about much. Chronite is believed to produce a lot of energy if shattered or exposed to seawater, causing violent and destructive explosions. Both conditions were met during Slohkar's impact and might explain the massive damage caused despite the actual size of the asteroid.
Geology & Geography
For unknown reasons, after the Slohkar's Impact, chronite only forms naturally underground, and it is unknown whether sunlight would produce any adverse effects when in contact with the mineral or whether it could, by itself, reduce the natural growth rate of chronite. Currently, naturally growing chronite can only be found in two places, these being the subterranean of the archipelagos Askria and Denisove, although the second is somewhat dubious due to the high rate of devourer activity that has taken place in the region.
Origin & Source
Chronite did not occur naturally in Somnium before the event marked as Slohkar's Impact, the asteroid that hit Askria and split the continent into pieces. That is, chronite is an extra-Somnian material, and it is not known where it have come from, exactly. After being deposited in Somnium, however, chronite appears to have found sustainable conditions for its development, and has spread underground over the years. Its presence in Somnium causes several adverse effects, both on animals and on the planet's own biosphere.
Life & Expiration
Chronite is only stable in dry environments without solar radiation. While the effects of sunlight are not known, it is known to inhibit the growth of chronite, preventing the mineral from growing out to the surface. Chronite can continue to emit chronite radiation indefinitely as long as it is in a stable environment and connected to the rest of the vein. Trying to remove a piece of the vein not only will cause a big explosion to occur, but the extracted fragment will stop emitting chronite radiation, no longer connected to its unknown energy source.
Type
Ore/Mineral
Value
Chronite is extremely valuable to pureblood devourers.
Rarity
While relatively common, the monopoly of purebloods makes it difficult to find.
Color
Either clear blue or green.
Common State
Solid.
Related Species
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