Vervor

Vervor is a fictional mineral described in science-fiction settings as a rare, energy-dense crystalline substance used for advanced power generation and propulsion. In most accounts, its combination of high energy density, thermal stability, and compact form makes it a sought-after resource in both industrial and exploratory contexts.

Etymology and discovery: The term Vervor appears in early 23rd-century speculative mining reports. In canonical settings, it is named by the Akari Seafloor Mining Consortium after a word in their working dialect meaning "bright core." First documented extraction occurred at the Saturnine Rift by the survey vessel Aurora's Wake in 2237.

Occurrence and geology: Vervor forms in hydrothermal vent fields on oceanic crust, typically within basaltic host rocks. It is found in nodular masses embedded in sulfide ore veins. Commercially viable deposits are sparse and located in several isolated ridge crests; extraction is technically demanding due to high-temperature vents and toxic gas emissions.

Properties and applications: The crystals exhibit high energy density and relatively stable performance at moderate temperatures within the setting's physics. They are used to power compact reactors and electric propulsion systems in starships and subterranean installations. Processing requires specialized containment and cooling systems to prevent phase changes and fragmentation.

In culture and research: Vervor features prominently in science-fiction literature and tabletop role-playing settings, often as a plot device or currency in trading networks. No real-world occurrence is recognized, and the concept is treated as fictional or hypothetical within communities that use it.