mustuste

Mustuste is a term used in speculative fiction and tabletop gaming to denote a fictional mineral with exceptional energy density. In most depictions, mustuste forms under extreme hydrothermal conditions and is valued for its purported ability to store and release large amounts of energy quickly.

Etymology of the name varies by author; in some settings it is linked to a mountain region called Mustusta, in others it is a coined term with no real-world origin. The term is generally treated as fictional.

Described physical properties include a glassy to metallic luster, color ranges from emerald-green to deep indigo, and a crystalline habit that is often described as prismatic. Jurisdictional authors sometimes assign a Mohs hardness around 6 to 7.

In-world occurrence places mustuste in isolated ore seams buried deep beneath planetary crusts or within asteroid interiors. Extraction is portrayed as technologically demanding, requiring high-temperature furnaces and containment to prevent rapid energy discharge during handling.

Applications in fiction commonly include energy storage for starship reactors, fusion catalysts, or compact power cores. Because of its high energy density, mustuste is typically scarce and highly regulated within story economies, driving exploration, trade, and conflict centers around its supply.

As a fictional element, mustuste serves as a narrative device to explore themes of resource scarcity, technological advancement, and the geopolitical implications of controlling a powerful energy material.