Metlichte

Metlichte is a term used in speculative fiction and world-building to denote a fictional luminescent mineral. In the imagined geology of its setting, metlichte forms crystalline veins whose lattice stores radiant energy and releases it as visible light when stimulated by electrical, thermal, or magnetic input. The name combines elements suggesting beyond-light in several Germanic-language traditions, and is typically treated as a proper noun for the mineral.

In most depictions, metlichte glows in colors that range from pale blue to golden amber, with the intensity and duration of emission varying by story. Phosphorescent afterglow can last from seconds to minutes after excitation, while certain fictional variants are described as capable of charging and sustaining light for longer periods under continuous stimulation. The mineral is portrayed as relatively soft and fragile, with a modest hardness and a tendency to cleave along natural planes.

Geographic and historical notes in fiction place metlichte in remote fault zones or hydrothermal vents, often within cave systems or deep-sea ridges. It is typically mined by specialized crews and valued for its light-producing properties rather than its material strength. In-world economies imagine metlichte-based technologies such as decorative lighting, navigational markers, or energy-efficient panels, though these remain speculative within the narratives.

Because metlichte is a fictional concept, real-world science has no evidence for its existence; discussions about metlichte generally appear in the context of fiction, lore, or game-world manuals. See also: phosphorescence, bioluminescence, luminescent minerals.