Plaicium (/'pleɪsiʌm/)

Plaicium is a metal prized for its anti-magic properties. It is light blue in colour, naturally resists corrosion and oxidation, and radiates a form of energy harmless to biological life forms that mimics the properties of an anti-magic field. It retains this anti-magic property when alloyed with other metals.
The strength of the anti-magic field emitted increases proportionately to the amount of plaicium in a sample, but 1 ounce of the metal will negate magical effects up to approximately 5 feet. 1 pound of plaicium cancels magical effects up to about 250 feet away, and 10 pounds will cancel magical effects up to a mile. The effects can be blocked by a sheet of lead of equal weight to the amount of plaicium (if the lead is rolled out until it completely covers the plaicium sample, the effect is completely negated, if it forms a wall along one side, the effects are blocked in that direction only).
There are no known natural deposits of plaicium on Ĉie; it is only found in meteorites, so its origin remains unknown.
Law enforcement personnel in many towns and countries around Ĉie wear badges and use manacles made of plaicium-iron alloy in order to allow them to more easily apprehend criminal mages. It may occasionally be alloyed with iron or steel to make armor for the same purpose, but its rarity and weight make this usage prohibitively expensive (full placium steel armor weighs approximately 100 pounds).

Properties

Physical & Chemical Properties

Radiates anti-magic field

Compounds

Plaicium-Steel: used in armor, manacles, and occasionally weapons in order to prevent magical effects, particularly by law enforcement personnel in areas where mages are common. Usually made by replacing the chromium and nickel. The high density of plaicium makes this approximately 65% heavier than normal (a suit of plaicium chain mail armor, for example, weighs 90 pounds).
Plaicium-Gold: shines with a greenish tint

Origin & Source

Extraterrestrial

Life & Expiration

unknown, all samples found to date appear stable

History & Usage

Refinement

Generally found in puclite (PlPb₂O₃), a metal found in meteorite deposits. Because puclite naturally contains lead, it is generally inert and the plaicium must be alchemically extracted.

Distribution

Storage

If not stored in a container made of an equal or greater weight of lead, the anti-magic field will continue to radiate. If completely encompassed in a container made of a lesser weight of lead, the field will continue to emanate but its strength will be diminished.

Law & Regulation

There are few, if any, laws specifically pertaining to plaicium possession. Use of it against mages specifically employed by the government (especially in a military context) may be considered a crime or act of war, but civilians who are able to afford it are generally allowed to do so legally.

¹²⁹Pl

327.73

Type

Metal

Value

1 pound sells for 4,000 Beachian Crowns

Rarity

Extreme

Odor

none

Taste

none

Color

metallic blue

Boiling / Condensation Point

4,892°F

Melting / Freezing Point

1,948°F

Density

55.7 g/c³ (32.2 oz/in³)

Common State

solid