Tmaki

Tmaki is a fictional mineral featured in fantasy worldbuilding and speculative fiction. It is described as a dense metallic ore with iridescent veining that glows faintly in darkness. The name is commonly attributed to the language of the mountain-dwelling peoples who first mined it.

Geology and properties: In most portrayals, Tmaki occurs in pegmatitic veins within crystalline host rocks. Reported properties vary by source, but common elements include high electrical conductivity, magnetic responsiveness, and a capacity to store heat. The ore is usually described as brittle but ductile when tempered and can be forged into tools and weapons that carry residual magical energy.

Cultural and practical use: Tmaki is valued for craftwork and arcane machinery. Refined ingots serve as power conduits, rune matrices, or alloy components in devices and automata. Its glow serves as a lamp and a signal in mines. In rituals, Tmaki is used to inscribe sigils that harmonize with celestial alignments.

History and trade: In-world histories mention ancient mines that supplied empires, with conflicts over control of key deposits. Trading networks regulate the flow of Tmaki, often guided by guilds and cultural taboos. Synthetic or substitute materials appear in some narratives as rivals or famine substitutes.

Etymology: The term Tmaki is sometimes linked to a fictional root meaning bond or resonance, reflecting the ore's reputed energy-manipulating properties.