Zhar'kasa

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Zhar’kasa forms as a faceted crystalline solid with sharply defined internal lattice planes. The material is rigid and brittle under improper handling but highly stable when left undisturbed. Its internal glow is a continuous emission originating from vacuum energy interactions within the lattice structure.
  The crystal absorbs and re-emits ambient energy without measurable heat output. This emission persists as long as the material remains in its natural or preferred atmospheric conditions.

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Zhar’kasa is a naturally occurring crystalline material found exclusively on the planet Zir'teth, a Kithari-controlled resource planet within the Tir system. Its formation is inseparable from the planet’s unique geological and atmospheric conditions.
  Zir’teth is characterised by deep crustal fault zones, sustained geological pressure, and persistent exposure to vacuum shear caused by long-term atmospheric thinning and localised spacetime instability. Within these environments, matter is subjected to continuous vacuum fluctuation stress over extended periods. Zhar’kasa forms slowly as crystalline structures align under these conditions, producing a lattice capable of regulating ambient vacuum energy.
  Deposits are typically embedded deep beneath the planet’s crust, concentrated along high-pressure fault intersections where vacuum exposure and geological compression coincide. No naturally occurring Zhar’kasa formations have been recorded outside Zir’teth, and attempts to replicate the necessary conditions artificially have failed.
  Because Zhar’kasa’s properties are dependent on these precise planetary factors, its formation cannot occur elsewhere, nor can it be reproduced synthetically. Zir’teth therefore functions as both the sole source and defining context for the material.

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In its raw state, Zhar’kasa is environmentally sensitive. When removed from Zir’teth’s native atmospheric conditions, the crystal begins to deteriorate over time. This deterioration manifests as dimming of the internal luminescence, followed by micro-fracturing within the lattice.
  If left unrefined, raw Zhar’kasa will eventually become inert, losing its unique energy-regulating properties. Refinement stabilises the lattice permanently, halting deterioration and allowing the material to persist indefinitely without loss of function.

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Historically, Zhar’kasa has played a pivotal role in the advancement of Kithari technology. Its controlled use enabled the development of long-duration devices and persistent field systems without reliance on conventional power sources.
  Over time, the Kithari recognised the broader implications of the material and imposed strict internal limitations on its extraction and distribution. These controls persist to the present era.

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Zhar’kasa has been known to the Kithari for centuries. Early records describe its discovery during deep planetary surveys of Zir’teth, when anomalous luminous formations were detected beneath the crust. Initial attempts to remove and transport the material resulted in rapid degradation, delaying its practical use.
  Only after the development of specialised containment and refinement techniques did Zhar’kasa become viable for technological application.

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In refined form, Zhar’kasa is used in compact, high-precision technologies requiring long-term energy stability. Raw Zhar’kasa has no direct application outside controlled research and refinement processes.

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Within Kithari culture, Zhar’kasa is regarded as both dangerous and sacred. It is viewed as a material uniquely entrusted to their system, a consequence of their advanced understanding and responsibility rather than a resource meant for widespread exploitation.
  The crystal is often referenced in philosophical discourse as a reminder that not all power is meant to be scaled or shared freely.

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Industrial-scale use of Zhar’kasa is impossible. When aggregated beyond tightly controlled thresholds, the material becomes unstable and loses its ability to regulate vacuum energy. As a result, Zhar’kasa is limited to compact devices and localised field applications where its behaviour can be precisely contained.

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Raw Zhar’kasa forms under constant exposure to vacuum shear gradients present on Zir’teth. In this state, the crystal’s internal lattice remains partially adaptive, continuously responding to directional spacetime pressure. This behaviour is what allows Zhar’kasa to regulate ambient energy, but it also renders the raw material unstable outside its native environment.
  Refinement stabilises Zhar’kasa by arresting this adaptive response. The process involves suspending raw crystal fragments within a controlled shear-simulation chamber, where artificial spacetime pressure gradients are gradually reduced rather than eliminated. As the gradients collapse, the lattice is forced to settle into a fixed configuration that no longer reacts to external shear.
  This transition is destructive to imperfect lattice regions. Sections that fail to settle uniformly undergo internal collapse and become inert crystalline residue. As a result, refinement consistently renders approximately 20 to 30 percent of raw Zhar’kasa unusable. This loss is a fundamental property of the material and cannot be engineered away.

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Refined Zhar’kasa is used directly as an embedded energy core within advanced Kithari technologies. Its application is limited to compact devices that require continuous, low-output power over extended periods.
  Distribution of Zhar’kasa derivatives is restricted to a small number of tightly allied systems, selected through long-standing political and technological trust agreements. These derivatives are never sold on open markets and are supplied only in pre-refined, application-specific forms.

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Refinement of Zhar’kasa produces a secondary crystalline residue formed when unstable lattice regions fail to stabilise during shear withdrawal. This residue retains the original crystal’s structure but lacks the internal alignment required to regulate vacuum energy.
  Although energetically inert, the byproduct continues to emit a faint residual luminescence and exhibits limited interaction with local spacetime pressure. These properties make it unsuitable as a power medium but useful as a diagnostic and calibration material during refinement.
  Small quantities of this residue are retained by the Kithari for research and containment testing. Outside Kithari control, it occasionally appears in illicit markets where it is falsely marketed as functional Zhar’kasa. Such material has no practical energy application and is primarily of value as a visual counterfeit or curiosity.

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Prolonged unprotected exposure to raw Zhar’kasa produces documented cognitive and perceptual disturbances. Early symptoms include persistent distraction, difficulty disengaging attention from the crystal, and disruption in the subjective experience of time. Individuals commonly report losing awareness of duration, with minutes or hours passing unnoticed.
  With continued exposure, affected individuals begin to experience intrusive perceptual events. These present as brief, involuntary impressions of environments, conversations, or personal memories that do not correspond to the individual’s immediate surroundings or lived experience. Such events are not accompanied by loss of consciousness and are frequently misidentified by the subject as memories, predictions, or hallucinations.
  In advanced cases, prolonged exposure results in the perception of overlapping temporal states. Subjects report simultaneous awareness of past events, present stimuli, and hypothetical or unfamiliar outcomes occurring in parallel. These impressions are fragmented, non-linear, and internally inconsistent. They do not provide actionable foresight and often contradict one another.
  The psychological impact of these effects includes fixation behaviours, impaired judgement, emotional flattening, and difficulty distinguishing lived experience from perceived temporal impressions. While subjects may believe they are observing future or alternate events, no evidence supports the reliability or predictive value of these perceptions.
  All documented effects are reversible once exposure ceases, though recovery time increases with duration of exposure. Refined Zhar’kasa does not produce these effects. Psychological risk is confined exclusively to unrefined material handled outside controlled containment environments.

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Extraction of raw Zhar’kasa produces measurable environmental disruption on Zir’teth. The crystal forms only within highly specific subsurface regions, and its removal alters the local equilibrium that allows those regions to remain stable.
  Mining sites exhibit increased geological instability following extraction. Microfractures propagate outward from depleted deposits, leading to gradual fault migration and long-term crustal stress redistribution. If extraction exceeds controlled limits, affected regions experience accelerated subsidence and structural collapse.
  In addition to geological effects, removal of Zhar’kasa alters local ambient conditions. Areas surrounding active or former extraction zones display persistent anomalies in temporal perception and environmental consistency. Autonomous systems operating within these regions report desynchronised internal clocks, irregular sensor readings, and non-repeatable environmental states. These effects diminish over time but do not fully resolve once large deposits are removed.
  For this reason, the Kithari strictly regulate extraction density and rotation across Zir’teth. Mining operations are deliberately dispersed and frequently abandoned long before deposits are fully depleted. Preservation of planetary stability is prioritised over maximal yield, reinforcing the Kithari view that Zhar’kasa extraction carries systemic consequences beyond material loss.

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Zhar’kasa is recoverable after use provided the refined lattice remains structurally intact. Devices damaged through impact, environmental stress, or system failure may still contain salvageable lattice segments, which can be extracted and reprocessed.
  Recycling refined Zhar’kasa is a controlled process. Recovered material must be reintroduced into stabilisation chambers to verify lattice integrity before reuse. Microfractures or partial desynchronisation render the material unsuitable for reintegration and result in inert residue during reprocessing.
  Raw Zhar’kasa cannot be recycled once it has deteriorated outside its native environment. Degraded raw crystal loses the internal properties required for refinement and is permanently inert. As a result, recovery efforts focus almost exclusively on refined derivatives rather than unprocessed material.
  Due to the difficulty of recovery and the risks associated with mishandling, most recycling operations are conducted by Kithari-controlled facilities. Independent or illicit recovery attempts frequently result in total material loss, reinforcing the material’s scarcity and the Kithari monopoly over its reuse.

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Zhar’kasa is not traded on open markets. All legitimate exchange is conducted directly by the Kithari through restricted bilateral agreements with a small number of allied systems. These agreements are based on long-term political alignment, demonstrated restraint in technological development, and a documented history of compliance with Kithari material-use doctrines.
  Only refined Zhar’kasa derivatives are ever released through sanctioned trade. Raw Zhar’kasa does not leave Kithari-controlled space under any circumstances. Refined material is supplied in pre-calibrated, application-specific forms, preventing independent modification or large-scale aggregation by recipient systems.
  Market availability beyond these agreements is the result of internal diversion, theft, or secondary redistribution rather than official export. Such material enters circulation irregularly and in limited quantities, making pricing inconsistent and highly volatile. Black market Zhar’kasa is typically traded through intermediaries rather than direct sale, often bundled within finished devices or mislabelled as inert crystalline substitutes.
  Due to refinement losses, strict extraction limits, and controlled distribution, demand consistently exceeds supply. This imbalance has led to the material being valued less as a commodity and more as a strategic asset. Possession of authentic Zhar’kasa derivatives confers significant leverage within illicit networks, while legitimate holders are subject to ongoing scrutiny from both the Governance and the Kithari.

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Storage requirements for Zhar’kasa differ significantly between raw and refined states. Raw Zhar’kasa must be maintained within controlled containment environments that replicate the atmospheric and pressure conditions of Zir’teth. Exposure to standard planetary atmospheres accelerates deterioration, leading to lattice dimming, microfracturing, and eventual loss of viability.
  To prevent degradation and psychological exposure effects, raw material is stored in sealed isolation units with restricted access. These units are designed to limit direct sensory contact and are typically operated remotely or by automated systems. Long-term storage of raw Zhar’kasa outside Kithari facilities is rare and generally discouraged due to the difficulty of maintaining stable conditions.
  Refined Zhar’kasa is substantially more stable and does not require specialised environmental replication. Once the lattice has been fixed, the material can be stored under standard containment protocols appropriate to its form and application. However, physical shock and electromagnetic interference can damage refined units, necessitating impact-resistant housing and shielding during transport and storage.
  Improper storage remains a primary cause of material loss outside Kithari control. Inadequate containment frequently results in raw Zhar’kasa becoming inert before refinement or refined derivatives suffering irrecoverable lattice damage. For this reason, storage failures are treated as significant procedural violations within Kithari operations.

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Zhar’kasa itself is not classified as illegal under Governance law. No quadrant-wide prohibition exists on the possession of the raw material as a substance. However, its extraction, refinement, and distribution remain under exclusive Kithari authority.
  Access to Zir’teth and all Zhar’kasa extraction zones is restricted by Kithari jurisdiction. Unauthorized entry into the Tir system or interference with Kithari mining operations constitutes a violation of interstellar access treaties, regardless of Governance affiliation.
  Refined Zhar’kasa derivatives are subject to additional regulation depending on application. Devices incorporating Zhar’kasa-based energy cores may fall under restricted or prohibited technology statutes in multiple quadrants, particularly where identity alteration, surveillance evasion, or covert infiltration capabilities are involved.
  Within Kithari governance, mishandling of Zhar’kasa is treated as a serious procedural offense rather than a criminal act. Violations related to improper storage, unauthorized refinement, or unapproved distribution are addressed internally and rarely disclosed to external authorities.
  Outside Kithari space, enforcement focuses primarily on derivative technologies rather than the material itself. Confiscation of refined Zhar’kasa components is common during interdictions, while raw material is typically seized and transferred to Kithari custody when identified.