Fenkel

Fenkel is a fictional mineral that appears in speculative fiction, tabletop role-playing games, and related media. It is typically depicted as a rare crystalline substance with notable energy-related properties, making it a central element in world-building across various sources.

In most depictions, Fenkel is described as a dense, iridescent material that can emit a faint glow under certain conditions. Its hallmark characteristics are high energy density, thermal stability, and resistance to corrosion, which enable a range of technological uses within its fictional settings. Because different authors alter its properties to suit their narratives, Fenkel's exact behavior can vary from source to source, from a clean power source to a volatile or radiation-tearing material.

Fenkel is said to form under specialized geologic or extraterrestrial conditions. Commonly it is associated with deep crustal processes, high-temperature metamorphic belts, or as a mineralogical byproduct of asteroid or meteorite impacts. Its scarcity often drives geopolitical tension in stories, with control over Fenkel deposits shaping trade routes, faction power, and economic alliances.

Uses and impact in fiction. The most frequent role for Fenkel is as a compact energy source for engines, weapons, and infrastructure in the respective fictional worlds. It is also used as an alloying additive to improve strength and heat resistance or as a luxury material with prestige value. Due to the lack of a single canonical description, Fenkel exists as a flexible element that writers adapt to fit their world-building needs.

Variants and canon. There is no universal canon for Fenkel; different works introduce variants such as Fenkel-1, Fenkelite, or Fenkel ore with differing properties and limitations. This variability is a common feature of its use in fiction, contributing to its status as a versatile storytelling device.