Fictional Materials
Fictional materials are substances with extraordinary or impossible properties. These materials are often used to enhance a fictional world by creating unique settings, technologies, or conflicts. While these materials do not exist in the real world, they are often inspired by real-world materials and scientific concepts. These materials may be naturally occurring within a fictional world, or created through the use of applied science or magical manipulation. They may be exceptionally common, or exceptionally rare. Often these materials possess characteristics that distinguish themselves from their real world counterparts, such as extreme durability, the ability to act as an energy source, or hallucinogenic properties. In addition, the acquisition of rare materials may underlie conflict between the factions of a fictional setting.
| Synonyms: matter, substances, elements, chemicals |
| Example Mythonyms: Salentium, Dragon Steel, refined whisperpowder, isotope X |
Designing Fictional Materials
Archetypes
Mythonyms
Fictional materials often coopt the naming conventions of real world substances and frequently rely on Latin or Greek prefixes or suffixes.
| Prefixes | Suffixes |
|---|---|
| Un- Di- Tri- Ox- Ad- | -ium -on -il -ia -ogen/gen |
Overview
Fictional materials are essential elements in worldbuilding, shaping the physical and technological aspects of imaginary realms. These substances, often defying real-world laws of science, serve various purposes. They can define a world’s technological level, influence its inhabitants’ abilities and limitations, drive plotlines and conflicts through their scarcity or unique properties, and contribute to the overall aesthetic and theme. From super-strong metals to magical powders, from fictional materials may contribute only tangentially to a fictional world, or may drive entire industries, wars, and alternative technological and/or magical developments.
Material Types
| Common Material Types |
|---|
| Metal Stone Crystal Liquid Gas Energy Dust/Powder Animal Product Plant Product Other |
Properties
Unusual novel materials may be inert or they may have strange and wonderful properties. It is these properties that help define them as an interesting and unique worldbuilding element and it is these properties that have the largest impact on how fictional materials interact with a fictional setting. Take for example levitating stones. A fictional material such as this could find applications in such wide-ranging fields as transportation, warfare, and fictional sports.
| Example Properties |
|---|
| Drug Effects Extreme Durability Magical Powers Energy Production Mutagenic Effects Health Benefits Explosive Reactions Luminescence |
Game world fictional materials often possess properties that directly influence game mechanics – such as materials that heal, explode, or solve the problem of dark places by exhibiting chemiluminescence.
Rarity
The rarity of fictional materials significantly impacts a fictional world. Scarce materials often become highly valued commodities, driving trade, exploration, and conflict. Their limited availability can create social hierarchies based on access, with those controlling the resources holding significant power. Additionally, rare materials can become symbols of status or magic, influencing a culture’s values and beliefs. The search for these elusive substances can propel characters on epic quests, shaping their destinies and the world around them.
Some materials are prized simply because they are rare and often become status symbols or displays of wealth.
Obtainment, Synthesis, & Refinement
While in some worlds fictional materials may be scattered across the landscape, in other settings it may be a resource that needs to be harvested, mined, refined, or synthesized in order to be useful.
Economy
Fictional materials are the lifeblood of many fictional economies. Their availability, distribution, and value significantly impact trade routes, technological advancements, and societal structures. Entire industries and fictional companies may have risen up to exploit this resource.
In addition rare and valuable materials can drive exploration, colonization, and even wars. These rare materials may serve as the basis for a fictional currency system, and may find their way into jewelry, weapons, and other valuable goods.
Illegal or Controlled Substances
Illegal or controlled fictional materials add layers of complexity and intrigue to fictional settings. These substances might be banned due to their destructive potential, addictive properties, or the moral implications of their use. Their scarcity often creates black markets and criminal organizations, leading to moral dilemmas and high-stakes conflicts. Government agencies may enforce strict regulations, leading to power struggles and rebellions.
In narrative worlds this can be a source of conflict
