Zanore

Zanore is a fictional mineral used as a plot device in speculative fiction and role-playing games. It has no verified existence in real geology, and the properties ascribed to it vary by author and setting.

Etymology and naming: The name zanore appears to be a constructed term with uncertain origins; different in-universe languages give different roots, but there is no canonical etymology across works.

Physical properties: In most depictions zanore is described as a translucent, prismatic mineral with blue-to-green iridescence. Reported hardness ranges from 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, and it is associated with strong luminescence and piezoelectric responses under stress or in magnetic fields.

Occurrence and mining: In fictional settings, zanore forms in hydrothermal veins within ultramafic or basaltic crusts, often in remote or perilous locations. Deposits are scarce and fragile, making extraction costly and hazardous.

Uses and significance: Zanore is valued for energy storage, advanced optics, and ceremonial or symbolic roles in in-universe cultures. It frequently serves as a plot device or catalyst for plot developments, revealing tensions around resource control and ethics of extraction.