Scorium

Scorium, also known as “crackle glass,” is an irradiated glass-like ore formed in the aftermath of The Great Glassing, found in the north hemisphere of Nasgovia. It was created after the bombs were dropped on the Nasgovian Humans.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Scorium is commonly found as a light green or yellow crystal resembling glass, but it can be also found in red and black colors. The strength and colour of the glass is indicative of its distance from ground zero; red and black scorium is usually found at the epicenter, while the green and yellow variants form from further distances.   With larger chunks of scorium, remains of creatures can be sometimes found petrified and fused into the glass.

Geography

Scorium is mostly found on the surface, though larger chunks and clusters can be found deeper when approaching ground zero.

History & Usage

Cultural Significance

For the post-Exodus Hoomans, scorium is both a symbol of Hooman superiority over the Nasgovian Humans and a warning of their destructive potential in the pursuit of peace.   For the surviving Nasgovian Humans, scorium is a physical symbol of how monstrous the Hoomans can be.

Hazards

The slang “crackle glass” is an allusion to how radiation counters “crackle” in the prescence of radioactive materials, including scorium.   Too much exposure to scorium can cause an individual to develop radiation sickness, and in worst cases, death.

Distribution

Storage

Scorium must be stored in appropriate packaging that use shielding to prevent radiation leakage. The majority of containers are designed to be dual-purpose to allow easy storage and transportation when needed.
Type
Ore
Rarity
Common (at fission bomb impact sites)
Odor
None (Ozone)
Taste
None (Metallic)
Color
Yellow-Green
Melting / Freezing Point
1600 C
Common State
Solid
Related Locations
Related Technologies

Law Regulation

Hooman-Nasgovian laws specify that only specially-trained hoomans from the Science and Pharmaceuticals Sector are allow to handle scorium for research purposes.
  Unregulated glass is banned from being brought into the nation to prevent unsuspecting civilians from developing radiation sickness.
If an individual discovers scorium in the local envionment, they are are expected to report it immediately to the Law Enforcement and Security Sector and distance themself from the location.

Comments

Please Login in order to comment!
Aug 8, 2023 17:59 by Nimin N

With larger chunks of scorium, remains of creatures can be sometimes found petrified and fused into the glass.
That sounds like it'd be absolutely terrifying to behold.   The article does a great job in concisely describing the material, its usage and its hazards, and the links to the great glassing, the location and the tech gives all the necessary extra information needed to tell what it's used for - and were good reads too on their own.   The law regulation section got me curious. I can imagine there being plenty of people with ill intent wanting to get their hands on contraband crackle glass. But, seeing its a colorful glass (that also can come pre-sculptured) would there also be cases of people wanting to collect it for more "innocent" uses despite (or unknowing of) the dangers?

Aug 11, 2023 09:22 by Nanotide

I would say yes, there would likely be collectors who would want the glass, especially with the added critters in. Maybe they manage to acquire it from either the individual who go out into the glassed lands, or the scientists who research it. I'll probably need to think about that part of it a bit more, that's good food for thought.   Thank you for taking the time to read the article :)