zorundadrlar

Zorundadrlar is a fictional mineral described in speculative fiction and worldbuilding narratives. It is characterized by iridescent, hexagonal crystals that refract light into a spectrum of colors and by a stable, richly colored lattice at room temperature. The name combines elements from the Zorundan language with the suffix -dral, often used for crystalline minerals.

Chemically, zorundadrlar is depicted as a mixed-metal chalcogenide with traces of rare earth elements. In many depictions, it forms prismatic crystals with a Mohs hardness around 7, a density near 3.9 g/cm3, and a high refractive index. It reportedly exhibits luminescence under ultraviolet light and is said to retain its color under heat up to about 900°C.

Geologically, it is said to occur in ultra-high-temperature hydrothermal veins within the Zorunda Formation on the planet Veridia, often in proximity to ultramafic rocks. It remains rare and is selectively mined; mining operations are described as needing careful seismic management and protection of nearby mineralogical heritage sites.

Discovery and naming: In-world lore places its first verified discovery during the Veridian Explorers’ 2237 expedition. The term zorundadrlar is said to derive from Zorundan linguistic roots and the old word dral, which denotes crystalline lattices.

Applications and significance: In fiction, zorundadrlar is valued for potential energy storage, high-density battery concepts, and transmission approaches with superconducting-like properties. It features in economic and political plots as a strategic resource, and its environmental footprint is a recurring theme in stories about mining in fragile planetary ecosystems.