Erythrium
Properties
Material Characteristics
Erythrium is a red liquid, that barely glows in the darkness. Crystallized Erythrium is known as Erythrite, and is a glowing red crystal. When it's lit by a fire, the fire appears a deep crimson red, with some flames appearing purplish.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Erythrium is warm to the touch, and large concentrations of Erythrium increase in warmth. It is also extremely flammable, with a single match lighting the fire for hours or even days. Prolonged exposure to Erythrine fumes are also poisonous, full details are here: Erythrine Poisoning
Geology & Geography
Erythrium is a decently plentiful resource, and so far is only found in one cave system in British India. It's found in a massive underground river system and lake, and the source has not been reached.
Origin & Source
Erythrium has only ever been discovered in its diluted form, in the cave river that its discoverer stumbled across. The source of pure Erythrium has never been found.
Life & Expiration
Erythrium can be recharged many times, and can hold heat for weeks.
History & Usage
History
Erythrium was immediately used as a type of fuel, and continued to serve as fuel, eventually making its way into appliances, vehicles, and the Victoriam City Engine.
Discovery
Erythrium was discovered in the 18th century by a geologist named Bertram Cholmondley while charting an enormous cave system in British India. While in these caves, he stumbled upon a massive underground lake filled with liquid Erythrium. In some spots, the substance had reacted with salt, creating small red glowing crystals.
He took a sample of the strange liquid back to his campsite, where a colleague unwittingly poured it into a gas lamp instead of the usual lamp oil. The red fire never stopped burning, prompting further investigation, eventually leading to the discovery of the "rechargeable" power source.
Everyday use
Erythrium is used to heat homes, to power appliances, to fuel cars, and to power other devices around the city.
Industrial Use
Erythrium is used in engines of all shapes and sizes, and is also used in furnaces instead of fire, as regular fire doesn't last very long in the high-altitude City.
Refinement
Erythrium must be heated to create a charge in order to use it in appliances.
Hazards
Erythrium is toxic if ingested.
Environmental Impact
Erythrium's high temperatures and flammable nature can and has caused forest fires where handled incorrectly. When contained incorrectly, Erythrum can cause explosions and damages.
Reusability & Recycling
Erythrine is very reusable, it can hold heat, and can be "recharged" with heat.
Distribution
Trade & Market
Erythrium is a staple of household goods. Unlike other, purchasable, types of fuel, Erythrine is given out in rations based on household size/ status. Large, rich houasholds get more while poor households get less.
Storage
Erythrium must be stored in a generally cool environment, and must not be stored in a wooden container. It can only be stored in a metal container
Law & Regulation
All naturally occurring Erythrium is property of the Imperial government, and can only be distributed by the Imperial government, or those licensed by it.
Et.
Unknown
Type
Elemental / Molecular
Value
Erythrine is extremely valuable. It holds the power to fuel anything from the smallest of engines to the most destructive weapons in the known universe.
Rarity
So far, only one lake of the fuel has been found, but the lake is incredibly large, and seemingly endless.
Odor
Metallic
Color
Crimson Red
Boiling / Condensation Point
Unknown
Melting / Freezing Point
Unknown
Density
6.095 g/ml
Common State
Liquid
Related Locations
Related Professions
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