Tsnými

Tsnými is the name given to a class of small, iridescent mineral nodules found in subarctic and alpine soils in the fictional region of Nordmere. They are typically 0.5 to 4 cm in diameter and have a glassy surface that shifts color with the angle of light.

Etymology: The term tsnýmí is drawn from the local Nordmeric dialect, meaning shimmering stone.

Composition and morphology: Tsnými nodules consist mainly of silica-rich aluminosilicates with minor iron and manganese oxides. On microstructure, they show layered and radial crystallization patterns that produce iridescent effects via thin-film interference.

Formation and age: They form in periglacial soils where aqueous fluids precipitate minerals under repeated freeze–thaw cycles. Dating in the fictional record places their origin in late Pleistocene deposits, with younger generations forming during later cold expeditions.

Distribution and habitat: Documented in scattered pockets across Nordmere's high-latitude belts, especially in gravelly outwash and frost-cracked terrains. They are associated with cryoturbation features and occur in areas with persistent, cool microclimates.

Research and uses: In the Nordmere scientific imaginary, tsnými are studied as paleoclimate proxies because of trapped pollen and microfossils within the nodules. Polished specimens are used ornamentally, while strict handling is advised to minimize soil disturbance.