Radioactive Orichalcum, What`s known about it? Options

[Iota]

Hi all!

I`ve got a question:

In "Runners Havens" (4th edition) it`s said that there`s radioactive orichalcum existing and it shoudn`t get into the wrong hands.

I`m just wondering how one gets radioactive orichalcum and what for. And why exactly it is considered dangerous.

Anyone knowing something?

thx in advance

[CanRay]

Well, Wintermute used Weapon Focus Nuclear Bombs on certain sites... Perhaps it's the Orichalcum from that?

[Iota]

Well,
it says on page 76 Runner Havens:
"Gaeatronics offers a magical waste storage service for research labs with radioactive orichalcum"

I was asking what kind of research these labs might be doing.

And further it says: "The facility’s [Gaeatronic`s] location is secret—just imagine how dangerous that stuff would be in the
´wrong hands."

Why? I mean radiation is always dangerous, but what could be espesially dangerous about radioactive orichalcum?

Any clues?

[Wesley Street]

Probably because it's sparkley and magical. And combining it with radioactive isotopes could make it really... radioactive-y.

Honestly, I have no idea and it hasn't been touched on in any fluff pieces that I'm aware of. Probably just a cast off from corporate metallurgical or alchemical research I would imagine.

[PlatonicPimp]

You know those toxic shamans that worship radiation down in los alamos? They'd love to make some foci with this stuff.

It probably generates a background count faster than a cyberzombie, too.

[Vertaxis]

Here are a few ideas.

1. It could would enhance a toxic mage/shaman's power.
2. It could be used to make "evil", corrupting foci and weapons.
3. It could attract all kinds of unpleasant spirits and outsiders from the Metaplanes.
4. Make it a key component for a "soul stealer" type object. Feed your sword to give it strength.
5. Since nukes don't work well in the 6th world, perhaps it nullifies whatever is messing with the nukes.

Makes for some interesting adventure plotlines.

Just my $0.02

[Mordinvan]

My question is, how could this stuff possibly exist at all, when oricalcium disacociates into its base elements when exposed to high energy emmisons, which is why you can't preform a mass-spec on it?

[Wesley Street]

My question is, how could this stuff possibly exist at all, when oricalcium disacociates into its base elements when exposed to high energy emmisons, which is why you can't preform a mass-spec on it?

Can you cite a source on that? My brain is drawing a blank.

[Ancient History]

As a purely creative exercise, I designed a magical hazardous (manahazard) facility and a slew of items that various corporations, nations, groups, and individuals paid to have stored there. It was fairly bare-bones, but I slipped the mention in there. Hey, why don't I just copy-paste the original? That should be fun.

Facility 342
Shiawase Containment Facility 342 was initially commissioned in 2063 as a combined waste-treatment and storage facility for toxic chemical and nuclear byproducts. Construction stalled in 2065, and Facility 342 was not fully operational until 2069. At that time, Shiawase had transferred management of the property to their new Waste Management and Reclamation division.
Facility 342’s primary purpose is the energy-efficient reclamation of useful industrial materials from nuclear and industrial waste; its storage facilities were later modified and expanded to enable its second use: the storage of magical waste products.
The development of a state-of-the-art magical waste facility was sorely needed by the inhabitants of the Sixth World, as thaumaturgical research and calamities have multiplied and corporations have been forced to expend ever-increasing resources to provide ultimately inadequate security measures. Shiawase has seized on this need by offering Facility 342 as a location for the storage or treatment of thaumaturgical waste products, for a fee.
Corporations or individuals who wish to store their waste at the facility must accurately specify the nature of the waste (which will be checked by an independent third party) and any additional containment measures necessary, and pays a standard depositing fee based on the Threat Assessment. Facility 342 acknowledges five categories of assessment (Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nanotech, and Thaumaturgic), each of which ranges from 1-5.
The storage facility itself is situated underneath an artificial hill, with two meters of natural soil and rock over a three-story structure capable of withstanding a nuclear assault. There are six levels below the ground floor (Level 0), each separated by a meter of soil and an insulating layer of FAB. Additional magical precautions, including biofiber, wardings, quickened barrier spells (Mana, Radiation, or Spirit) are included depending on the nature of the deposit’s Magical Threat Assessment. Astral patrols and bound spirits are rarely used except in transport, but frequent Cleansings have kept the overall Background Count of the storage facility low.

Entry: 00000
Description of contents.
Threat Assessment: (Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Magical, Nanotech)
Containment Measures:
Notes (if any):

Entry: 00001
Plastic case containing lab clothes, talismonger’s kit, and tools from an enchanting lab; all bear traces of uranium ore.
Threat Assessment:: 3 (Radioactive 2, Magical 1)
Containment Measures:: Secured in the radioactive material containment area (Level 4).

Entry: 00002
55-gallon drum containing toxic and corrosive liquid. 55% sea water, 8% crude oil by volume, remainder being various effluents, dissolved heavy metals, and partially dissolved plastic compounds. Ph 14.
Threat Assessment:: 4 (Chemical 3, Magical 1)
Containment Measures:: Secured in hazardous chemical containment area (Level 2), in separate cell filled with Fuller’s earth. Containment Measures: up for review following concerns that drum will corrode and chemicals will seep through containment.
Notes:: Client specified drum contains the remains of a toxic undine. Initial attempts at chemical treatment and Purify Water spells reported to have failed to significantly reduce the volume or toxicity of the contents.

Entry: 00003
A lead box containing sheets of radioactive orichalcum foil and alchemical slag.
Threat Assessment:: 5 (Radioactive 3, Magical 2)
Containment Measures:: Secured in the radioactive material containment area (Level 4). Client has paid for quickened Radiation Barrier spells around the box, including regular renewal. Warding and Cleansing upgraded after attempted theft on 4 APR 2070.
Notes:: Attempted theft occurred on 4 APR 2070 after a matrix intrusion failed to recover files on entry 00003. Probable cause is industrial espionage. Despite rumors, an on-site check with the client on 11 APR 2070 showed that the foil sheets do not contain magical formulae.

Entry: 00004
An antiquated iron coffin, bound with plasteel chains and warded. Contains the desiccated corpse of a human female. A spirit form inhabits the corpse.
Threat Assessment:: 5 (Biological 1, Magical 4)
Containment Measures:: Secured in a sealed ferroconcrete slab in the biological containment area (Level 3). Client has paid for a quickened Spirit Barrier spell, and wardings are renewed regularly.
Notes:: The spirit form in the corpse is most likely a shedim, though one on-sight mage has also presented the theory it is a grande zombie. No metahuman remains may be stored near this entry.

Entry: 00005
One hundred and twenty-one sealed test tubes containing blood and tissue samples from various HMHVV-infected creatures. Viruses appear to be dormant, but not deceased.
Threat Assessment:: 4 (Biological 3, Magical 1)
Containment Measures:: Secured in a hermetic vault in the biological containment area (Level 3). Each tube has been secured within a secondary layer of encapsulation.
Notes:: The client has paid for a thermite incendiary device to be installed in the vault in case it is opened.

Entry: 00006
A plastic crate containing the curiously undecayed remains of a massive beetle spirit.
Threat Assessment:: 6 (Biological 2, Magical 4)
Containment Measures:: Crate sealed in a hermetic vault in the biological containment area (Level 3). Insecticide sprayers connected to motion detectors are installed within the vault. The client also paid for a quickened Spirit Barrier spell.
Notes:: The client has said the remains attract mundane beetles; further analysis reveals insect magicians may be attempting to recover the remains using ritual magic.

Entry: 00007
A small painting, wrapped in leather.
Threat Assessment:: 3 (Magical 3)
Containment Measures:: Secured in temporary containment vault (Level 1).
Notes:: Forgery of Da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa,’ carries a background count that generates intense greed in those nearby. Methods to negate the enchantment without ruining the painting currently being researched.

Entry: 00008
Plastic box containing two flayed and cured human skins, six obsidian-tipped scalpels (1 broken), and a stained copper bowl.
Threat Assessment:: 3 (Biological 1, Magical 2)
Containment Measures:: Secured in a hermetic vault in the biologicals containment area (Level 3).

Entry: 00009
Eighteen ceramic vessels containing alchemical acid and base compounds.
Threat Assessment:: 4 (Chemical 2, Magical 2)
Containment Measures:: Secured in the hazardous chemicals containment area (Level 2).
Notes:: An accident in handling resulted in the breakage of a nineteenth vessel, an alchemical variant of aqua regia with traces of dissolved orichalcum.

Entry: 00010
A cryogenic unit containing an elf male. A group of nanites in his body have constructed an iron radical within his skull similar to the structure found in stone toads.
Threat Assessment:: 6 (Biological 2, Magical 2, Nanite 2)
Containment Measures:: Secured in the nanotech containment area (Level 5)

Entry: 00011
An Egyptian-style scarab amulet, enchanted as a focus for summoning insect spirits.
Threat Assessment:: 3 (Magical 3)
Containment Measures:: Secured in the temporary containment vault (Level 1).

Entry: 00012
A plasteel container holding used ritual materials, surgical implements, and the torso of a heavily cybered metahuman. Two astral forms are trapped within the torso by enchantments.
Threat Assessment:: 5 (Biological 1, Magical 4)
Containment Measures:: Secured in a hermetic vault in the biological containment area (Level 3). The client has installed independent explosive devices that will activate if the crate is opened.
Note: A persistent haze of astral pollution emanating from the torso has required more regular Cleansings than usual.

Entry: 00013
A bodybag containing six wendigo pelts, marked and tagged by the government of Quebec.
Threat Assessment:: 4 (Biological 3, Magical 1)
Containment Measures:: Secured in a hermetic vault in the biological containment area (Level 3).

Entry: 00014
Six clay tablets, inscribed on both sides with cuneiform-style markings in an unknown language.
Threat Assessment:: 1 (Magical 1)
Containment Measures:: Secured in temporary containment vault (Level 1).
Notes:: Tablets have proven exceedingly difficult to damage or destroy. No discernable magical aura. Further study required. Stipulations of contract with client require no study or copy be made of the markings.

Entry: 00015
A 13-inch kris. The blade is very heavy for its length, and composed of a silver-streaked grey alloy. The handle is wrapped in very new brownish leather.
Threat Assessment:: 6 (Radioactive 3, Magical 3)
Containment Measures:: Secured in radioactive materials containment area (Level 4). The sheath is lined with lead. Blade and sheath are magnetically levitated above a pool of disassembler nanites.
Notes:: A Malay smith adept forged this blade as a weapon focus from meteoric iron and uranium radical reagents, apparently by accident. The smith used the blade to commit suicide shortly after it was finished.

Entry: 00016
Two large killing jars of unusual construction, each containing a deceased sprite.
Threat Assessment:: 3 (Biological 1, Magical 2)
Containment Measures:: Secured in a hermetic vault in the biological containment area (Level 3).

Entry: 00017
A metahuman skull laced with orichalcum. It gives off a weak light (12 candela).
Threat Assessment:: 4 (Magical 2, Nanotech 2)
Containment Measures:: Secured in the nanotech containment area (Level 5).
Notes:: The skull is essentially an astral beacon, and emits a steady glare on the astral. There is some indication that the brain within the skull may have been converted to a biochemical battery by the nanites responsible for the lacing.

[Screamin Demon]

Thats a lot of good crunchy freaky stuff I know I am going to put to good use.
Thanks, Ancient History.

[paws2sky]

Tres cool, AH.
Book marking this for future reference.

[SprainOgre]

Awesome. Stuff that's going to work it's way into my games. Thanks!

[Stahlseele]

you know, you have really too much time on your capable hands Ancient one o.O
let's pray that never changes ^^

[Zhan Shi]

Very good work. I vote that AH's material be expanded on and used in future SR products.

[Daier Mune]

wow, great ideas.

[Serial_Peacemake...]

For some reason putting all of that in one place seems like a bad idea. EIther that or when it all goes to hell most of that stuff will take care of itself.

[Mordinvan]

Can you cite a source on that? My brain is drawing a blank.

The magic in the shadows section which talks about Oricalcium, on pg 81

They say spectroscopic analysis breaks it down into is base metals.
Spectroscopic analysis is irradiating a sample of the material, and looking at what sorts of radiation is gives off in response. Its used by some of our Martian rovers.

[Stahlseele]

it's something to do with quantum mechanics . . if you percieve it in enough detail, it becomes real . . and orichalcum can't be real according to the laws of (meta)physics, so it gets transmutated into the closest thing . . it's source-materials *g*

[Mordinvan]

For some reason putting all of that in one place seems like a bad idea. EIther that or when it all goes to hell most of that stuff will take care of itself.

We can only hope

[annachie]

How about Heisenberg applying to it. If you try and look at Orichalcum closely by normal means you end up pumping enough energy into it so that it comes apart, but being magical in nature you can study it with magic.

AH, would the site be better located in a dried up salt flat like the US currently stores radioactive waste.

In fact taking over one of those old sites might be cheaper than setting up a new one and I'm sure that the corporate courtes et al would prefer that waste not to be in the hands of potentially unstable governments (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Mordinvan]

How about Heisenberg applying to it. If you try and look at Orichalcum closely by normal means you end up pumping enough energy into it so that it comes apart, but being magical in nature you can study it with magic.

If the stuff is radioactive enough to qualify as a hazard, then its out-putting more energy then a gentle spectroscopic scan

[Aaron]

Perhaps it is the result of a different attempt at scientific analysis.

[PlatonicPimp]

Entry: 00018
A box 1 and a half cubits wide, 1 and a half cubits tall, and 2 and a half cubits long, covered in gold. Four gold rings are attached to the side and the lid has 2 angels facing each other, wings held forward with their tips touching above the center of the lid.
Threat Assessment:: 5 (Magical 5)
Containment Measures:: Secured in a wooden crate in a vault. The Shiawase logo on the box has somehow burned off.

[Mordinvan]

Entry: 00018
A box 1 and a half cubits wide, 1 and a half cubits tall, and 2 and a half cubits long, covered in gold. Four gold rings are attached to the side and the lid has 2 angels facing each other, wings held forward with their tips touching above the center of the lid.
Threat Assessment:: 5 (Magical 5)
Containment Measures:: Secured in a wooden crate in a vault. The Shiawase logo on the box has somehow burned off.

That is awesome. Someone saw a movie in the last week I'm guessing?

[Zhan Shi]

Entry 00018, Addendum:
Personnel who hold to the ideals of National Socialism are no longer allowed near this item. Their faces melt off. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)