Torud

Torud is a fictional mineral described in worldbuilding and speculative fiction. It is a translucent material known for its softly glowing appearance and its capacity to store and release light. In most portrayals, torud forms in hydrothermal veins within volcanic rocks and is valued for both its optical and physical properties.

Etymology and names: In the setting's languages, the word torud is linked to terms meaning light and bond. Different dialects render it as torud, toruda, or torudin. The name's usage signals the mineral's status as a trade good and symbol of knowledge.

Physical properties and formation: Torud crystals are typically colorless to pale blue or green, with a vitreous luster and a hexagonal to prismatic habit. They rate around 6 on the Mohs scale, are relatively hard, and resist weathering. The mineral’s host rock is usually basalt or andesite, with copper or manganese trace elements contributing to its glow. When exposed to daylight or electrical stimulation, torud emits a soft luminescence.

Occurrence and mining: In the fictional setting, torud occurs in narrow hydrothermal veins and in pockets within metamorphic rocks near volcanic zones. It is mined using tunnel methods and requires careful handling due to its strong but delicate crystal structure and luminescent properties.

Uses and cultural significance: Torud is employed in lighting devices, decorative jewelry, and small energy-storage components. Its glow has made it a symbol of knowledge in several cultures, and major trade routes and towns have grown around its extraction and processing.

History: The mineral's discovery is attributed to explorer Kesh Ral in the late calendar era, after which mining towns developed along its principal vein.