Jahthoidmist

Jahthoidmist is a fictional substance and atmospheric phenomenon used in speculative fiction and tabletop role-playing games. It is described as a luminescent mist that forms in regions where jahthoid crystals occur, produced by the interaction of geothermal heat with the local atmosphere.

Etymology is fictional; the name combines the invented root jahthoid with mist to convey a living, changing air.

Physically, jahthoidmist is a tenuous, color-shifting haze with high refractivity and a faint magnetic signature. It forms when subterranean heat releases volatile compounds from jahthoid veins, allowing fine particles to coalesce and rise into the air. It can linger for minutes to hours under calm conditions and dissipates with wind.

In-universe, inhalation can cause euphoria and altered perception; prolonged exposure may irritate the respiratory tract and interfere with instruments. Researchers typically use respiratory protection, eye protection, and controlled containment when studying jahthoidmist or harvesting related compounds.

Culturally and economically, jahthoidmist is valued for its luminescence and rumored metaphysical properties. It appears in rituals, visual arts, and as a plot device to obscure or reveal paths within complex environments, influencing trade routes and exploration narratives.

In fiction, jahthoidmist appears across multiple settings with varying details, from benign spectacles of light to hazardous substances requiring careful handling. Its depiction is determined by authorial choice and the needs of the world in which it appears.