Tarmokas

Tarmokas is a fictional mineral that appears in science fiction, fantasy, and tabletop role-playing settings. It is commonly described as a rare ore with extraordinary energetic properties, capable of storing and releasing energy more efficiently than ordinary minerals.

In many depictions, tarmokas forms in deep crustal or planetary interiors as dense crystalline aggregates. The mineral typically has a metallic luster with an iridescent sheen, ranging from pale silver to blue-green. Under ultraviolet light it may glow faintly. Reported hardness on the Mohs scale is usually given as 5 to 7, and it is often described as ductile and, in some settings, semi-conductive.

Occurrence and extraction: Tarmokas is portrayed as rare, forming under high pressure and temperature, often in veins near volcanic activity. Extraction is depicted as dangerous and specialized, involving shielded drills, cryogenic cooling, and energy-containment procedures to prevent accidental release.

Uses: The ore is valued for energy storage and conversion. In spacecraft or reactor fiction, it powers drives or reaction cores. In fantasy contexts, it may serve as a catalyst for runework or alchemical transmutations.

History and cultural impact: Tarmokas is frequently a coveted material that drives exploration and conflict in fictional economies. Some works assign ceremonial or protective properties to tarmokas, while others treat it as a purely technical resource.

See also: aurite, durium.