Pneuma
The universe is full of unexplained phenomena and power that mortal minds can scarcely comprehend: magical powers that can level continents, eidolons of the dead, and abilities brought to reality through nothing but belief in them. While these enigmas cannot be understood in the universe as it is known, one recent breakthrough may be capable of solving these mysteries. Pneuma, sometimes known as the "Breath of Life," is believed to be the source of power beyond the fantastical abilities of alchemists, as well as potentially the driving force behind the universe itself. While many of its properties are not yet understood, it has become a vital element to Makadelian Sciences, furthering understanding of the universe as a whole and our place within it.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Pneuma is completely undetectable on its own. With no physical presence, it can't be measured or observed as a normal material can. Instead, it is detected through its effects on the rest of the physical world. Pneumatic effects are widely varied, and range from changes in a material's physical appearance to its properties and the way they interact with the world around them.
Compounds
As of 1819, it is unknown precisely what limits there are when it comes to the creation of "Pneumatic Materials." Initially, it was believed that only the purest of metals could be made Pneumatic until the creation of Pneumatic Coal in 1781. It was then believed that only pure elements could be made Pneumatic until Pneumatic Bronze was first created in 1804. The Majority of Pneumatic Materials are man-made, produced through an alchemical process known as "Pneumatic Refinement." Pneumatic Iron, Pneumatic Copper, and Pneumatic Silver have all been discovered to occur in nature, primarily found in Pneumatic Wellsprings.
Origin & Source
The Origin of Pneuma is yet unknown, though it seems to have an equal distribution all across the globe with some notable areas of concentration known colloquially as "Wellsprings". The Mordekhouda Wellspring in eastern Paloumaia is one example, and is the site of the Laskhous Laboratory, a famous alchemical laboratory known for its research into pneumatics. While these wellsprings are not necessarily believed to be the origins of Pneuma, they are often times the origins of naturally occurring Pneumatic metals, such as the Pneumatic silver and copper found in the Mordekhouda Mountains.
History & Usage
Discovery
Pneuma, as it is known today, was not discovered until 1736, when alchemist Antiokhos Philippou recorded his findings noting the mysterious replicability of his early alchemical experimentation. Despite engaging in a wide variety of experiments with various materials, his results held a consistency he found unmistakable. He would later write several books on the subject, including "On the Existence of Pneuma" and "Alchemy and the Mortal Soul." While Pneuma as the ultimate force behind these phenomena is currently impossible to confirm, many scientists since then have tried and failed to come up with a better conclusion, ultimately leading to the continued acceptance of Pneumatic Theory throughout the fields of Alchemy, Astronomy, and Physics.
Refinement
Pneuma can be "channeled" into various materials through a process known as Pneumatic Refining. Using special machines that utilize the pneumatic sensitivity of Carbon and Silicon crystals, certain materials can be transformed into "Pneumatic" versions of themselves. The limitations of this process are not fully known, though it can currently only be performed on solid materials with pure elements being the easiest to refine. The effects of refinement vary depending on the chemical makeup of the material refined, though they are almost always spectacular. One example, Pneumatic Copper, is capable of drawing in static electricity from its surroundings, transforming it into a usable form.
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