Nulletite

Nulletite is a metallic alloy which dampens magical radiation in much the same way lead dampens other forms. Spells have trouble penetrating or affecting even a thin layer of it; the finest witches cannot sense the interior of a nulletite box, nor can theurgic forces affect it; a solution of nulletite dissolved in water can be used to dampen alchemical reactions. Even an Artifact can be contained in nulletite casing.

The most important component of nulletite is a metal called nullium. However, while nullium and its compounds dampen magic somewhat, it only becomes wholly effective when made into certain alloys. These can be made with a variety of metals, but "nulletite" is defined as "any alloy of nullium which demonstrates greater dampening of magical effects greater than that demonstrated by pure nullium." While nullium is on the rare side, it only needs to comprise about 20-60% of a nulletite alloy to be effective, depending on the other metal(s) used, to be effective. Thus while the manufacture of nulletite is expensive, it is not prohibitive.

The downside of this is that nullium alloys, even at a low concentration, tend to be extremely soft and weak. A nulletite weapon cannot hold an edge and will quickly deform if struck; and a strong person could crush a rod of nulletite with a strong grip. In some cases, this has been used to the builder's advantage: the cannula of the Idiari Postal Network are lined with a thin, protective layer of nulletite, and because of how soft the metal is, this layer can be repaired with hand tools. More often, however, nulletite is sandwiched between layers of a stronger metal. A few stronger alloys of nulletite have been produced experimentally, but thus far none have proved commercially viable.

While nullium itself is rather heavy (slightly denser than lead), it is generally made lighter by its alloys.

Discovery

Antiquity