Concerning serendiptine:

[DoS Archive]

From: blindfoldproxy@aol.com (Blindfold proxy)
Date: 06 Sep 2002 04:49:39 EDT

The following is taken from The Ranstad Physical Science Journal, March 2002 C.E., pp. 51-52:


Literary Research: Serendipitine as a Potential Energy Source


Dr. M. J. Anders and Dr. W. L. Vaughan
Ranstad University, Loranglon Province


Abstract: Serendipitine is a material that resembles cairngorm in appearance
and exibits characteristics of high durability and ringular light deflection. It is
recognized in historic literature as having radioactive properties, which may
suggest it as being a viable source of energy. We conclude that scientific
analysis testing should be conducted to further examine this possibility,
but that testing will be difficult due to a lack of available samples.


I. Introduction

Serendipitine is a quartz-like material greatly resembling cairngorm in appearance, which is quickly receiving a mythic reputation in recent years (Ranstad). It displays a mixture of hues ranging from yellow, orange, and brown; and is mostly recognizable by dark spots that appear at the crystal's core. These spots, or "seeds" as the are commonly called, are due to the serendipitine's ability to reflect light in such a way that it bypasses the core. History says that when it was first discovered, many men attempted to free the "seeds" from their shell, only to have them vanish when the crystal was at last dissected (Bedford).
Serendipitine is unique to the Manotian nation-state, in the province of Loranglon, where it was first discovered in 1829 C.E. (Ranstad). Miners stumbled upon it while digging for iron ore, but the vast quanitity of crystal they found proved to be more durable than steel. Serendipitine was soon adopted into the Manotian armory where it remained a staple -- particularly as helmet layering, breastplates, and sword and knife blades. This was until after the Manotian civil war that took place in 1995 C.E. (a most notable war, as many Manotians were recorded to say that their own men who had fallen in the short war with the Raeth kingdom five years prior had risen from the dead and rebelled, even acquiring the serendipitine mine for a month's time).
Now, Manotia keeps its mine heavily blockaded, and even to mention the word serendipitine is taboo. The armory has been purged and replenished with steel, and all traces of serendipitine have been eradicated (in another strange turn following the civil war, Manotia also forbade all forms of magic use) (Fons). To find a serendipitine sample of testable size today outside of the Manotian mine is extremely rare.

II. Research and Discussion

We have already mentioned the high durability and unique light-reflecting pattern of serendipitine, but it may carry other notable properties that have yet to be analyzed. Eye-witness accounts speak of a radioactive property only mentioned as occuring in larger battles, and described as a sickly yellow light being emitted from the core of the crystal. When the radioactive serendipitine is displaced, a radiative residue of the same color is left behind in "great streaks of light that paint the air," only to have faded from sight in toto approximately two seconds afterward (Bedford). The serendipitine would continue to glow through the night until the next morning; the Manotians felt it was "the spirits of yesterday's fallen guiding the surviving kindred through the night" (Fons).
Further hints of the serendipitine's potential as an energy source can be found in recent magical lore: "It is solidified black magic in its purest form, which barbarians foolishly brandish like wooden clubs ... they are ignorant of the true power they possess. It is a planet's core: It sculpts the surface into mountainous rows and caverns to allow the eloquent and peaceful reservoirs and aquifers there, while it remains below; but should it ever break above, these geographies would it smother into nothingness. Numerous a doctor who practices the medical magics has found his work rendered futile in its presence" (Grendel).
It is our conclusion that further analysis testing should be conducted on serendipitine in order to better understand its energetic potential. However, all searches outside of Manotia for serendipitine samples have come up empty. An agreement with Manotia to scavenge the mine must be reached if testing is to take place.


Sources:

Bedford, Dr. Jude. "Manotia's underground river of serendipitine." Rare and Unique Substances Monthly, November 1950 C.E., vol. 41, pp. 22-34.
Grendel, Harriet and J.R. Birch. A Collection of the Magicianship Lore. East Hamptons Press: 1890 C.E.
Fons, Edgar. The Unwritten History of Manotia. North Loranglon Press, 1999 C.E.
Ranstad Mystical Dictionary, The. Randall, H., ed. Randstad Univ. Press: 1921 C.E.


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