kelval

Kelval is a fictional material used across science fiction and fantasy works. It is commonly portrayed as rare and valuable, serving as an energy source, a catalyst for advanced technology, or a mystical substance with unique effects. Because kelval appears in diverse settings, its precise nature varies by author and universe, with no universally accepted definition.

In many depictions, kelval is a crystalline or glassy substance with a subtle iridescence. Its proposed properties include very high energy density, resilience under extreme temperatures and pressures, and the capacity to influence physical processes when processed or bound with other compounds. Some adaptations describe kelval as an alloy or an isotopic form of an element, while others treat it as an amorphous, magic-reactive material.

In-world discovery often centers on exploration of remote regions, such as asteroid belts, moon crusts, or ancient underground ruins. Kelval deposits are typically scarce and difficult to extract, prompting competition among corporations, nations, and factions.

Applications in fiction range from powering starships and weapons to enabling sensory or magical effects. Its use can drive plotlines around supply shortages, trade routes, and technological breakthroughs, as well as ethical concerns about environmental impact, colonialism, and equitable access.

See also: Energetic minerals, Alien technologies, Trade and ethics in fictional economies.