¶ Ichorite
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Ichorite is an isotope of Erchius. Similarly to Avian Power Crystals, its chemical composition is nearly identical to that of Erchius’, though it lacks Erchius’ unique ability to exist in two allotropes which are in differing matter states at the same temperature and pressure, and it is completely useless as an FTL fuel.
Ichorite forms as a royal-yellow crystalline mineral that often forms in matrices with dark shale and other carbon-rich rocks. It forms rather complex crystal shapes, growing in dendrites and branching spikes that have been described as looking “almost organic” by some. The crystals come to about a 5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, allowing it to be scraped and scratched using an average steel knife. It seems to be exclusively found on planets which have formerly held life at some point, generally having experienced full biosphere extinction events around ~280,000-302,000 years ago.
¶ Ichorite Doping
The dust that results from this scratching plays into the anomalous effects of the mineral. When ingested, the powder results in a myriad of positive effects, including a sense of euphoria, increased vitality, and a sense of belonging. It also carries a plethora of medical benefits, such as increased regeneration of wounds, destruction of harmful foreign bodies/pathogens (tumors, viral/bacterial/fungal infections, and even prion proteins) and free radicals in the body, and the general increase of health and fitness in the body. Lean muscle mass will grow more quickly, fat, plaque, and cholesterol levels will decrease, and cellular operations will be made much more efficiently, as if they entirety of the body was working more cohesively.
Because of these numerous benefits, people who use the drug have dubbed it “Ambrosia” and “God’s Blood”, this second name being in reference to the root of the mineral’s name, Ichorite. Ichor being a moniker for the blood of gods and other spiritual beings in many Earth-based modern faith legends.
Although the use of Ichorite can have many benefits, both psychological and physical, it does come with several debilitating side effects that stem from long term or heavy use. Use can form both physical and mental addictions, with side effects including malaise, dystrophy of muscle tissue, headaches and cold sweat. General effects of long term are discoloration of the skin, cancers, and hallucinations.
These hallucinations will always develop after use at some point, though the less it is used, the less intense they are and the longer it takes for them to form, the maximum amount of time about eight months following the initial dose. If use is staved off for long enough after this point is reached, they will eventually subside. However, it has been stated by those who have experienced them that it is extremely hard to resist returning to use because of the nature of hallucinations, particularly if the use of the drug was common by any degree. The hallucinations are described as being full-sensory, including auditory, visual, somatosensation, and even olfactory hallucinations.
They usually seem to involve night-terror like visions of an apocalyptic nature that cause an intense feeling of dread and certainty of doom to the subject, as well as voices commanding them to seek out more of the drug, and an inexplicable urge towards certain locations in the galaxy. When mapped out, there seems to be no general pattern besides that each of the systems contain worlds with dead biosphere conditions, or are certain cities. Many of these locations are shared across subjects, and they seem to be based off of whichever is the nearest, for some reason. If use is sustained and heavy for long enough, physical mutations will begin to form, and the user will find themselves rapidly losing psychological stability as they develop various psychoses of the mind, including schizophrenic behaviors, borderline tendencies, and general mania.
The most severe example of effects caused by use was recorded in a Hylotl male in his forties. He had developed a plethora of massive tumors along his body, which after removal and examination appeared to have proto-structures for bones, teeth, and even optical tissues in them. The most developed even had what seemed to be the beginnings of a prehensile limb of sorts, though it was immobile due to lacking joints and proper nerve connections. Tissue had malformed coloration around these tumors from the blue skin found on the Hylotl’s body to maroon red and yellow tones.
Psychologically, the Hylotl had degraded heavily, refusing to communicate with researchers and medical attendants, only speaking to entities that didn’t seem to be present around him, speaking in a cryptic manner and occasionally breaking into tongues that didn’t seem to be of any known language, currently assumed to just be nonsensical babbling. Although the Hylotl was eventually physically rehabilitated, he currently resides in state-assisted care, his mental state steadily declining with no signs of any improvements in recent years, most recently beginning to refuse food and water, requiring intravenous nutrition to remain alive.