Novium

Few materials have been as significant to the development of interstellar society as the substance known as Novium. Containing, or possibly being made from, high levels of the energy known as Impulse, Novium has been used as a key component for a number of technologies responsible for making interstellar life possible, from war & sublight drives, to Relays, to advanced power generation, since the time of the Shapers. Novium remains a vital resource for interstellar society, and the star nations of Inhabited Space continue to seek new ways to harness it's power for further advancement.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Novium is a crystalline material that appears to constantly be glowing, typically found in clusters of varying sizes.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Those who've worked directly with Novium describe feeling a persistant vibration when touching it, as well as hearing a constant "thrumming" in the air when near it.

Geology & Geography

Novium can be found throughout the galaxy, typically being located below ground, most commonly in systems where Impulse can be found in higher levels.

Origin & Source

It's widely understood that Novium is strongly tied to the energy known as Impulse, though it remains unknown whether Novium is formed from Impulse, or if it simply absorbed it.

History & Usage

History

While it's known that the Shapers were the first to discover and use Novium (named for the Novia system, where the Shapers are believed to have originated from) in their technologies, not much else is known about the materials early history. When the various sapient races of the galaxy rose up in their wake and began venturing to the stars, they also dicovered Novium in various locations throughout their home systems, as well as it's applications in interstellar travel and energy production.

Discovery

It's believed that Novium was first discovered by the Shapers around the time they began traveling beyond their homeworld, which may also have contained several deposits of the material beneath its surface.

Everyday use

Novium is most commonly used as a fuel source for interstellar travel, both sublight travel between planets and warp travel between star systems.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Since Novium is a key resource for both interstellar travel and energy production, it's considered to be a highly valuable resource by all the starfaring races of Proxima.

Industrial Use

As well as being used to fuel interstellar travel, Novium is also used as a key component in the construction of Impulse reactors, which are renowned for producing more energy than typical energy reactors.

Refinement

Novium can be used in its crystalline state, though it can also be "smelted" into a liquid form.

Manufacturing & Products

Novium is used as a component in the construction of Impulse reactors of varying size, as well as fuel for starships in its liquid form.

Hazards

Not only does the higher levels of Impulse energy found around large Novium deposits result in a higher risk of dangerous anomalies in the area, but being exposed to it for too long without protection will result in the victim being infected with Impulse radiation. Additionally, causing sufficient damage to a Novium deposit waill result in an explosion of Impulse energy, requiring great care when mining this resource.

Environmental Impact

It's been observed that areas that have large amounts of Novium also have higher levels of Impulse, though it's not entirely known if the presence of Novium is what causes these increased levels of Impulse, or if the higher levels of Impulse are what allow Novium deposits to grow in greater sizes and numbers.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Novium is sold by industrial tradersboth in its original crystalline state for constructing reactors, and in a liquid form for use as fuel for starships.

Storage

In its crystalline form, Novium is stored in specially insulated containment crates, while its liquid fuel form is kept in cylinrical fuel cells.

Law & Regulation

Due to the hazards of working with Novium, there are strict regulations on mining and processing the material.

Type

Mineral

Rarity

Uncommon

Color

Novium typically has a blueish-green colourization.

Common State

Novium is most commonly found as a crystalline solid.