Originium

File:Originium.png
**Originium** is a Terran substance which forms after Catastrophes. It is a widely used energy source throughout Terra, but causes the development of Oripathy in living organisms.

Description

A mysterious mineral. As technologies develop, more and more countries start to use it as an energy source.

A common mineral in Terra, this semi-transparent black crystal contains enormous energy, and is the primary factor of causing Catastrophes. Widely used in the field of Arts, it works as the basic material and catalyst of all kinds of Arts and Arts items. Without Originium, the efficiency of Arts would, without a doubt, drop dramatically. As technologies develop, more and more countries start to use it as an energy source.
## Overview

Appearing as a black, semi-transparent crystalline mineral (although it has been occasionally seen in other colors like blue or gold), Originium can be found at sites of Catastrophes in large quantities, and is believed to play a role in causing them. Unlike other crystalline minerals, Originium grows and metastasizes naturally in the wild, and can even assimilate with organic matter if given the opportunity. Originium is also quite unstable, as it vaporizes into gaseous particles over time, is highly flammable when in a liquid state, and exhibits highly explosive properties under the right conditions. However, contrary to what one might believe, Originium is not actually radioactive.

Originium has a high energy yield, and as such, has remained a valuable resource since it was discovered in ancient times. By the time of the game, the proliferation of Originium had brought a technological revolution to Terra, with virtually all technology being powered by the substance. Notably, Originium allows the use of various forms of "magic" known as Originium Arts, which has applications in both daily life and war. Processing Originium ore and similar natural substances into useful products has become an essential part of modern industry.

However, Originium is not without its dangers, since as mentioned above, it can gradually assimilate into a living organism's blood and cells — this is regarded as a "disease" called Oripathy. Many Terrans have been infected by Oripathy since the advent of Originium, and these people, often called Infected, are widely discriminated against in Terra. Furthermore, Originium assimilation may cause varying degrees of genetic mutation depending on the organism.

In ancient times, the use of Originium was mainly focused on Arts. The invention of Originium engines and artificial Arts Units ushered in an industrial revolution across Terra. Despite Originium's hazardous traits, it is immensely useful, with applications ranging from fueling nomadic city engines to batteries, plastic covers, and light bulbs — as such, no alternative source of energy (such as petroleum, hydraulic, geothermal, or nuclear energy) that could replace Originium has been found.

While Originium is indeed hazardous, it has been stated that the mineral is the "source" of all Terran lives, which shaped them into their present forms. It could either be a metaphorical sense with civilizations revolving around Originium technologies such as nomadic cities or a literal sense in which all Terran lives were "influenced" by the said mineral biologically.