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Solarite
Solarite crystals are the remnants of ancient supernovae, blasted across the galaxy by the intense force of their creation. Solarite is a highly energetic, variably radioactive and - when handled correctly - easy and safe form of energy. When used as cores in radiation-shielded power cells, solarite is a highly stable and sought after energy source within spacefaring societies. It is rare in the outer rim of galaxies, but quite commonplace closer to the core.
Solarite is always crystalline in nature. Its lattice is octohedral.
Types of Solarite
Since solarite is the byproduct of dead stars, it comes in many different forms and energy levels.
| Type | Energy (no. of fusion cells)1 |
Radiation level | Value/lb. (gp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depleted | — | Insignificant | 500 |
| Red | 10 | Very Mild | 3,500 |
| Yellow | 25 | Mild | 12,000 |
| White | 65 | Average | 32,500 |
| Blue | 160 | Dangerous | 74,000 |
| Black | 400 | Extreme | 150,000 |
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Depleted Solarite
Solarite with no remaining charge of its own. It is still faintly radioactive, but to a nearly harmless level. While it cannot be used as fuel, depleted solarite can be used as a fusion catalyst. A fusion cell lined with 2 pounds of depleted solarite lasts three times as long before needing a recharge.
Red Solarite
Byproduct of dwarf novae, the weakest form of naturally occurring solarite bears a reddish hue. It casts faint red light in a 10-foot radius of shadowy illumination.
When completely used up, it turns into depleted solarite, and is no longer able to be used as fuel.
Yellow Solarite
Byproduct of the death of Sol-sized stars, yellow solarite has a brilliant golden sheen and is by far the most common. It casts mild golden light with the intensity of a torch.
Once used up, it decays into red solarite, decreasing its energy output.
White Solarite
Intensely bright and potent, white solarite comes from large, high-luminosity stars. It casts white light as a daylight spell within a 20-foot radius.
Once used up, it decays into yellow solarite, decreasing its energy output.
Blue Solarite
The most energetic form of common solarite, blue solarite is the byproduct of a blue giant's supernova. It casts scalding cyan light as a full-radius daylight spell, and deals 1d6 points of typeless damage to any creature within this range every round. Energy weapons powered by blue solarite energy sources also cause instant exposure to Dangerous-level radiation.
Once used up, it decays into white solarite, decreasing its energy output.
Black Solarite
Byproduct of the death of supermassive stars that collapsed into stellar black holes, black solarite's radiation is inimical to all life. If not harnassed properly with the help of advanced technology, it will create strange gravity events within a radius proportional to the mass of the crystal. When exposed to a charge, black solarite can bend the laws of mass-energy equivalence and manipulate the relative mass of objects, making it capable of powering FTL travel, warping, and hyperjumps. It casts darkness in a 30-foot radius, reducing the illumination by one step in that area; full daylight-level light becomes bright illumination, bright illumination becomes shadowy illumination and shadowy illumination becomes total darkness.
Once used up, it decays into blue solarite, decreasing its energy output. Throughout all stages of its decay, one pound of black solarite can generate the same energy as 660 fusion cells.
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