Oortite
Welcome to Solaris, traveller! This is a slower-than-light science fantasy set in our own solar system.
About Solaris | Guide to Solaris | Prologue
About Solaris | Guide to Solaris | Prologue
Oortite is the dark mirror of Astrallite and Aurorite crystals. Unlike either of the more common types of crystal, oortite is very much a blanket term for a myriad of different strains. Some have great potential, capable of bending natural law and influencing minds, while others seem entirely inert save for their tendency to spread. Oortite is an extremely hazardous substance regardless of the variety, with symptoms of Oortic Poisoning sometimes occuring as soon as a few hours of exposure.
Oortite crystals are not farmed — they're found. Deposits are found in the outskirts of the Sol System, especially in the Kuiper Belt. The most accessible oortite is embedded in the crust of icy bodies and dwarf planets, but it can also be discovered free-floating. Like a mineral cancer, oortite can mutate and infect other crystals, which will naturally cluster around the oortite. These tumourous crystal clusters retain many of the hazardous properties of regular oortite, and seem to only become more dangerous with age.
Products
Some of the most dangerous artefacts and relics of the past were made out of Oortite. One infamous example, the Eye of Envy, is a deep green oortite gem that was taken out of an idol and set into jewellery. The Eye is believed to have driven those who wore it into insanity. A few years ago, a shipment of dolls carved out of oortite were the cause of a mass crystal infestation at a waystation. Because of incidents like these, workshops that handle oortite are constantly vigilant against the possibility of crystal escape.
With the rise of oortite-based technologies like Gravity Plates, it seems many have forgotten the history of the material. Aspiring civilians set off towards the Kuiper Belt to make their fortune from the emerging oortite craze, only to find themselves handling strains that are far more dangerous than they bargained for, with no training or protection.
Others have reopened infected mines, hoping to tame the tainted crystal within. The full extent of the consequences thereof have yet to be explored.
Crystal Technology
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It "infecting" other crystals is quite an interesting quality. Spooky.
Thank you! It's an interesting property for sure, none of the other crystals do that!