Lumpade

Lumpade is a fictional mineral used in speculative fiction and tabletop games to describe a dense, heterogeneous silicate aggregate found in volcanic and metamorphic settings. The term does not correspond to any real mineral or geological category, and remains primarily a narrative device within its imagined worlds.

Etymology: The name Lumpade is a neologism formed from the English word lump and the French suffix -ade, chosen to evoke its lump-like nodules and the plural, granulose habit of the material.

Physical characteristics: Lumpade typically forms as irregular nodules or crusts with a dull to vitreous luster. Colors range from midnight blue to coppery green, often with mottled or banded patterns. It is described as relatively dense and thermally stable, and in some depictions it exhibits luminescence under ultraviolet light. Some varieties show stress-induced color flicker due to lattice rearrangements.

Formation and properties: In the fictional setting, Lumpade forms through slow crystallization in high-pressure pockets within volcanic conduits or metamorphic shear zones. It is said to be piezoelectric and capable of storing vibrational energy, while microfractures can self-heal over time. Its chemical composition is typically described as a complex silicate with trace oxides; exact formulas vary by author.

Uses and cultural role: In many works, Lumpade serves as a power source or tether for runic devices, and as a coveted trade good in interregional economies. Carved or faceted Lumpade objects are valued as talismans and status symbols, while larger ingots appear in starship or reactor diagrams.

See also: fictional minerals, lodestone, omphalos stone.