Aerolithe

Aerolithe is the Primordia of Air, one of the four legendary Primordiae materials. Unlike the undiscovered Water and Earth Primordiae, Aerolithe emerged with The Confluence and was discovered by physicist Jian Lam over 300 years ago.

Discovery and Development

Jian Lam discovered Aerolithe after Tumult Nomads reported floating ruins and rocks suspended in air during their travels. Jian realized this was a new element that could be exploited, not a freak of nature. In 70 AC, Kuningas Ayxas funded Jian’s research into Aerolithe properties, contributing to development of Asgartha’s floating architecture and airship technology.

Properties

Aerolithe enables levitation and altitude control. In airships, an Aerolithe core is located behind the cockpit, acting as a flotation device. Pilots adjust altitude by sending pulses to the core, while Kelon motors provide forward and backward propulsion. The material can be shaped into spheres that rise when activated.

Aerolithe also possesses exothermic properties that can be triggered through detonation, making it useful for explosive applications.

Applications

Aerolithe enables multiple technological applications:

• Airships: Core flotation devices for altitude control
• Floating Architecture: Lakeside areas of Arkaster float above water without support columns
• Mobile Platforms: Military resupply platforms that hover silently above ground
• Sahanka: The Lyra’s moving city-structures incorporate Aerolithe cores
• Biological Integration: Some species like Ice Shrimp have developed Aerolithe veins enabling flight
• Leviathan Hunting: The Ascalon employs Aerolith barrel charges that detonate to trigger exothermic reactions against Leviathans

Mobile Armory Platforms

Ordis forces employ Aerolithe-powered mobile armories during the Rediscovery Endeavor. These heavy floating platforms resemble large safes the size of catamarans, hovering in unsettling silence while deploying storage compartments to resupply troops with equipment in remote locations.

City of Scholars Mastery

The inhabitants of the City of Scholars mastered Aerolith far beyond current Asgarthan capabilities. Large, finely cut blocks of Aerolith were discovered in abandoned hangars within the Crow’s Eye, suggesting the chasm once served as a central well for transporting the material from deeper mines to the surface. Aerolith was vital in shaping the geological structure of the crater, enabling formation of a protective dome above The Undergrowth without structural collapse. The Tesseracts within The Maze are composed at least in part of Aerolith, demonstrating advanced antigravitational applications unknown to Asgarthan engineers.

Processing

Aerolithe is a difficult material to shape, though less so than the pebbles found near the Mirror. Processing requires focus, as Aerolithe can begin to resonate and reveal dangerous exothermic properties. Specialized equipment capable of absorbing residual energy is required to polish and facet the crystals safely, and even then the process remains risky. Basem Falani, Guildmaster of the Lapidaries, continued lapidary work on Aerolith crystals during the Rediscovery Endeavor.

Leviathan Attraction

Lucan, the beetle Leviathan, is drawn to Aerolith and attacks convoys transporting the ore. Unlike Halua, which attacks vessels without apparent feeding motivation, Lucan specifically targets Aerolith deposits.

Primordiae Classification

Aerolithe is classified as one of four Primordiae:

• Fire: Kelon (confirmed, extensively exploited)
• Air: Aerolithe (confirmed, extensively exploited)
• Water: Unknown Primordia (undiscovered)
• Earth: Unknown Primordia (undiscovered)

Some Axiom scientists debate whether more undiscovered Primordiae exist, motivating participation in the Rediscovery Endeavor.

Relationships

• Ayxas: Kuningas who funded Jian Lam’s research in 70 AC
• City of Scholars: Ancient civilization that mastered Aerolith beyond Asgarthan capabilities
• The Crow’s Eye: Former Aerolith transport well in City of Scholars
• Jian Lam: Physicist who discovered and pioneered Aerolithe use
• Tesseracts: Floating blocks in The Maze composed partly of Aerolith
• The Maze: Underground level with Aerolith-based tesseracts
• The Undergrowth: Level whose dome structure was enabled by Aerolith
• The Ascalon: Bravos Company that uses Aerolith barrel charges for Leviathan hunting
• Basem Falani: Guildmaster of Lapidaries who processes Aerolith during the expedition
• Lucan: Leviathan attracted to Aerolith deposits