Purpaurantius

Purpaurantius is an exotic color shifting material that, depending on the observer's age, shows as purple (old ages) or orange (young ages), or a color on the gradient between those two colors. It's a dense material, with a hardness nearing that of the hardest known material.

In general communication "purpaurantius" is understood to refer to the material in it's shaped, hardened form. The natural form that can be worked and shaped into products is referred to as "raw purpaurantius."

Properties

Material Characteristics

The appearance of purpaurantius is translucent with visible internal reflections and refractions, giving it a shiny, sparkly and optically interesting look. It shows an intricate web of facets that changes depending on the viewing angle, which have a color on the gradient of purple and orange. Overall the color of the material is a consistent color on the purple-orange gradient and the exact color is different for each individual as the color depends on the age of the observer. The internal reflections with the different colors seen in the material are in that sense a look into the future or into the past.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Purpaurantius is highly resistant to any outside influences, such as rapid temperature changes, fire, other materials (it doesn't have known chemical reactions with other materials), impact forces, scratching etc. As with the observed color being different based on the age of the person looking at it, the perceived temperature when touching it also changes with age; younger individuals will percieve the material as warmer than older individuals, meaning that orange feels warmer than purple.

Raw purpaurantius can only be worked/processed once. As soon as it has assumed its final form its moldable, soft form will harden into the final all-resistant consistency. There are no known methods to revert hardened Purpaurantius to its moldable form.

History & Usage

Everyday use

The main and most common use of the material is in monuments and decorations on both buildings and smaller items. Due to the astronomical price resulting from its extreme rarity and difficulty to obtain Purpaurantius and the fact that it doesn't have any interesting properties compared to other materials except for it's colors and beauty these are the only economically interesting uses. It's a 'prestige' material used by the rich and powerful to show the world how wealthy they are.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Purpaurantius is commonly seen as a symbol for time and the passing of it, for curious youth and wisdom at old age. The story goes that one can take a look into the future or into the past if they are lucky enough to look at the right time and the right angle. In religious context it is often associated with Peairo.

Rarity

Extremely rare

Color

On a purple - orange gradient, depending on observer's age

Density

14.67 g/cm³

Common State

Solid, liquid