Vitriolic acid is the most dangerous part of the Depths, and is found at high concentrations (45% of vapor content) starting at -200 feet. Exposure results in harsh chemical burns, even at low concentrations. Breathing in said high concentration vapor results in death in under 15 minutes.— Skyskimmer risk assessment manual, page 3
The toxic and acidic gases that lurk beneath the Blue are not usually thought of as a source for anything. That is, anything good. Horrid accidents, Depths-hopping pirates, and the vicious
Caeligo all come to mind. However, the Depths can provide at least one interesting and unique resource: the acid itself. When separated out, it can be used in a multitude of industrial cases, as well as just being a very potent acid.
Siphoned from the Depths
Vitriolic acid is only found within the Depths, and usually at quite a low altitude. Instead of diving down, and trying to scoop up the acid, most gathering operations use a suction to pull the toxins and gasses up from a slightly safer altitude. Then, the acid is filtered out by Skyblood magic, and the toxic gas and particulate are discarded while any clean air is used to extend the time that the skyship can stay within the Depths. Still, expeditions down into the Depths for any reason are dangerous for a number of reasons, and the tanks that the acid is stored in have to be treated regularly because the acid will eventually melt through them.
Industrial Uses
There are two primary uses for the acid in modern society, both which are incredibly valuable to the various governmental structures that rule the towns and cities. The first is in the creation of incredibly high-potency fertilizer, when combined with common, nutrient-rich rocks. The second is in purifying water for consumption, when combined with waste metal from the forges. Combined, vitriolic acid is highly responsible for the surplus of food production, and therefore the population boom, that has followed the industrialization of the Blue.
Use in warfare
As an incredibly corrosive material, there was some attempt to weaponize the acid during the Trade Union Revolutionary War. Early attempts to barrage Skyships with the acid were completely ineffective, resulting more often than not in the destruction of the cannon. However, there was one notable success, where the fortress on Olympus was seiged with skiffs loaded with barrels of the acid. These skiffs, piloted by convicts from Sayles, dive-bombed the towers of the citadel, destroying several of the defensive cannons before the skyships launching the skiffs were pushed back.
Use by Untethered Radicals
The radical sect of the Untethered turn their backs on the Blue and head out past the shattered worlds, relying only on themselves and their family for survival. Out past the edges of the map, there is no fuel to be found to burn to provide heat. However, when vitriolic acid is combined with water, it produces a large amount of heat. With a single moderately talented Skyblood, both of those materials can be easily gathered without ever needing to land.
Comments