Unreviewed Blue Tarnicite

[Helix]

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To create a variant mineral substance for the Dzara
• Image Source: Generated via ChatGPT
• Canon Link: N/A
• Permissions: N/A
• Primary Source: N/A

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: Helix Privateers
• Affiliation: The Dzara
• Market Status: Closed-Market
• Model: N/A
• Modularity: Yes
• Production: Minor
• Material:
  
  • Tarnicite
  • Blightsteel

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Rapid colonization of organic matter

STRENGTHS

• Swift Conversion: Blue Tarnicite is very dangerous to organic life, as even a small chunk can rapidly corrupt and transmute an entire living creature.
• EZ-Storage: Blue Tarnicite doesn't affect inorganic matter, allowing it to be far more easily stored than its predecessor.

WEAKNESSES

• Picky Eater: Blue Tarnicite is far more difficult to create than the natural red/orange varieties, usually requiring live specimens or specialized farming methods to produce. Likewise, it cannot be used to corrupt and damage non-organic targets (such as droids, buildings, or vehicles).

DESCRIPTION

As deadly as naturally-occurring Tarnicite can be, the Helix Privateers were determined to improve upon perfection.

Needless to say, manipulating the structure of a mineral as pernicious as Tarnicite posed many challenges. Physical tools of any sort were out of the question, and exposure to the substance was highly unpleasant (on the occasions when it wasn't lethal].

Still, success was had when blending two separate horror-lineages together: when combined with the living metal Blightsteel, Tarnicite birthed a far more stable hybrid mineral.

Unlike the standard variety, Blue Tarnicite's self-replicating properties only display themselves when exposed to organic tissue. The substance will not colonize or convert inorganic matter of any sort, making it far easier to transport and manipulate.

However, Blue Tarnicite is considerably more dangerous to living things. This variant crystal has nearly thrice the growth rate of its cousin when contacting live tissue; at such rates, immediate amputation of the affected area is often the only way to avoid a quick and painful end. Standard red/orange crystals were already plenty bad enough; this lab-created version is even more suited for weaponization, though it somewhat lacks in the sheer area-denial omnipresence of naturally-occurring crystals.

This highly-selective nature poses something of a problem for the Privateers, as Blue Tarnicite cannot be as easily farmed as its forbear. Nonetheless, methods are underway to circumvent this difficulty.

For the time being, living prisoners are often used as incubators, displaying the Privateers' casual disregard for the concept of quarter.