Arionyx

Arionyx is a lightweight crystal-like substance found within the caverns and mines of Aridam, typically referred to as Arionyx by the Aridians. It has a melting point of 1350C / 2462F and a density of 7800kg/m3.

In its unrefined form, the crystal lights up the surrounding area in red light depending on the size and shape of the crystal itself. Unrefined Arionyx is typically found within the deeper levels of Aridam's mines and caverns with sparse deposits around the same level as the 2nd and 1st floors of the mine. Due to its properties, it was typically used as a light source and built into many Aridian buildings as chandeliers, torches and various other ways to light up rooms and buildings although it is typically covered in different shades of glass to turn the red light into white or yellowish light.

## Refinement

Within Aridam, they study the land's natural resources, such as iron, copper, coal, and a wide range of other naturally occurring ores or materials. Arionyx crystals are also included in the range of ores that are studied.

This has led to an increased knowledge of metallurgy and combining metals to create various alloys (This will tie in with the information provided below)

The refinement of the crystal is done by bonding a metal complex to the red crystal, which is done under controlled environments within the confines of the mines themselves. In the bonding process, heavy metals are used in their powder forms (such as copper(II) acetate), which are toxic to inhale by most races within Azura (Most metal complexes are able to be used with the crystals).

Several terramancers and pyromancers are used to control the refining process with heat and merging Aryionx with the metal complex, after the first hour the material is left to rest for a few minutes, the decision for the material is made then either keeping it as crystal-like strands or a flexible plate (While the material is bent it causes the individual molecules reversibly rotate as they are bent, allowing both the compression and expansion that is required for elasticity, which by normal properties for a crystal it is no longer classified as a crystal by scientific terms due to losing symmetry).

The crystal strands variant of Arionyx undergoes a second process with a different metal complex with the same steps, which is broken down immediately after the 2nd process is done by various metal tolls

The refined Arionyx retains both the hard properties while also allowing the crystal to bend without breaking unlike its unrefined counterparts which are brittle, The scientific community of Aridam is looking towards doing this with a wide range of crystals found throughout Ludwag.

(The crystal can't be warped by terramancers in its refined state, along with the refinement process is a well-kept secret by the state, the refining method is kept secret by Aridam)

## Refined Uses

(This is an example of possible use for the material, the properties of the unrefined and refined material’s uses being left up to the player’s imagination as long as the material supports it)

Flexible/Refined Arionyx typically replaces the role of rope within the kingdom of Aridiam, it is typically covered in fabrics to prevent wear and tear from the environment and possible chipping. Furthermore, the material is much more durable and more resilient than traditional rope.

The refined material is able to be used for flexible but hard armor, which is a need for people such as the Aridians who rely on guerrilla tactics in their ongoing war. However, the cost of the process of refining the crystals makes its refined form typically restricted to higher echelons of society.

The strand-like variant of Arionyx is able to be utilized by mancers and thaumaturges, which enables them to manipulate the material in a mechanical sense such as warping the strands to pull up a gate or farming equipment by the use of the strands being in wheels allowing people to easily increase productivity if the material supports it. The only downside to this is that it requires contacts to be manipulated.

## Unrefined Uses

Due to the current and public use of Arionyx, it is typically found within homes or across Aridiam controlled territory being utilized as a light source that glows indefinitely, the light source is increased by various mirrors and glass to form the typical red light and force it back into the white or yellow spectrum of light, typically being brighter than a lantern.

This is typically found in households across Aridam.

Within the mines, large mirrors are pointed towards various Arionyx crystals to focus the light in one direction either to weld material together or cut through materials, although any disruption to the mirrors or light will prevent it from being focused in a direction and scatter it across.

## The Chasm

The deeper reserves of Arionyx are taboo to touch or harvest by the state due to the fact that people who enter it and harvest these crystals end up missing and are later found dead. Within the chasm, there is a large statue that seems to have been made during or before the time of the Pyrian Empire. To this day, its function and reason for creation remains unknown. Rumors circulating through the slaves, miners, and other workforce in the mine typically blame it on crystal-like beasts made out of Arionyx. However, there have been no solid records of these beasts.