A Brief Encyclopedia of the Chronicles of Sacrifice

Materials Science

Just about any and all types of science rely heavily on the use of different materials, and a society's advancement of materials will often determine its place in the world. Different materials have different uses, and can enable some sciences to advance, and others to exist at all. 

Different materials have different uses and complexities, and here, we will discuss the different materials developed, methods of development, and what they are used for.

The creation of metal alloys has come a long way, primarily through trial and error experimentation and rigorous recording of what has and has not worked. Many societies, in an effort to get ahead of their enemies, experimented with different alloy developments, particularly with steel, though some branched off and created other metals. Bronze is a prime example of these metals.

More recently, other metals have started to become useful after refinement and mixture with various other metals. Some examples follow;

Aluminum: Developed due to the exceptional lightness of its ore compared to many other metals. It was seen as potentially useful as a placeholder metal where strength is not as vital, and valuable steel could be used elsewhere. It was quickly discovered that this metal does not rust, and now it sees countless maritime uses on ships and piers. Because it has such excellent heat properties, malleability and versatility, and low costs, it sees widespread use around the world.

Titanium: An exceptionally strong metal for its weight, highly resistant to corrosion, and extremely capable of taking heat, titanium sees great use around the world in the same ways as aluminum, with a few extra uses. It is not seen as frequently as aluminum due to its higher cost of creating its various alloys, some of which even utilize gold. The primary reason it was created initially was to act as an improved electrical turbine in high-heat power plants, particularly those utilizing coal. As its alloys refined into stronger, better metals, titanium has seen extensive use as armor, weaponry, machine parts, and security features.

Tungsten and Alloys: Tungsten is an oft-forgotten metal that sees great widespread use due to its hardness, stiffness, and use in electrical devices. It sees use in incandescent light bulbs. Its alloys generally see military use, such as in Siege artillery shells to punch through walls, crossbow tips to punch through armor more easily, and as blade or spike tips for the same reason. This is only in the case of well-funded forces, though.

Nickel Alloys: Nickel can be combined with countless metals for countless applications. It can be added to steel for corrosion resistance and strength, or added to iron for extreme dimensional stability as invar. Nickel is highly valued for these reasons, and though not uncommon, is worth a great deal.

Magnetic Materials: Magnetic materials are extremely important, both in power production and everyday electronic devices, from clocks to cleaning machinery. Superconductors are extremely important for large-scale devices. One of the more common uses of magnetic materials is in launchers, often used by military forces to send up gliders, but also by commercial services overlooking an area for industries such as mining, disaster assessment, and monster hunting. These gliders have limited range, typically, but the overhead view is highly valued by professionals.

Metals are not the only materials that have seen significant advancement since the early days of intelligent life. Glass, plastics, fibers, and other materials have been developed over time to great effect. Some examples of these materials below:

Thermoplastic/Acrylics: Lightweight and strong with transparent properties, thermoplastics are often used to replace glass where visibility is desired but strength is required. While most crossbow bolts will be redirected unless fired normal to a pane of glass, some are strong enough to punch through unhindered. Thermoplastics are an excellent choice for shatter-resistant windows, particularly for armored cash caravans or other high-value road targets. They are almost always used as a safety feature.

Elastomers and Elastic Fabrics: Relatively easy to synthesize, these materials are often used in sealing applications, especially where air-tightness is a consideration. Refinement processes are still improving, and variants or even replacements are often experimented with, silicone rubber is often used in food preparation and even clothing. Athletic, commercial, and military garments make frequent use of elastomers.

Nylon, Para-Aramid/Meta-Aramid/Aramid Fibers: High strength, resistant to tear and heat, and ease of manufacture have made these types of fibers incredibly common for recreational, sport, commercial, and military use. The different forms of aramid fibers are almost always seen in body armor, cut-resistant gloves, and high strength canvas-style bags. 

Neoprene: Used for insulatory gear in cold weather, neoprene is commonly used by military forces, maritime industries, or adventurers who plan a trip to colder environments. Due to the material's elasticity, it can also be used as a substitute for many elastomers. While it is similar in nature, we classify it differently due to its various different enough properties.

-Note: Crushed neoprene can be highly cut-resistant when made properly, and sees use as a water-tight material in many industries. This is one of many examples of these materials being altered in some way, shape, or form to fit a new role.

Synthesized Chemicals: The use of specialized chemicals, like liquid nitrogen, sodium-phosphate, and other, similar chemicals is necessary for many specialized processes or systems where extreme cold or heat or specific reactions are necessary. More often than not, these chemicals are generated via magical processes manipulating the physical matter, though non-magical processes are coming into the fray. 

While these many materials are themselves impressive, the methods of creating them are what determine how advanced a society has become. The most recent of these advancements; titanium refinement and various aramid fibers; and their frequent use give us an idea of societal advancements. However, not all these materials are refined naturally, requiring magical alteration or fuel, begging the question of how advanced they are.

While application of heat and mixing materials together is often the source of metal alloys, magic is used frequently to provide the heat involved, providing a difficult time to nations that are resistant to using magic and must purchase the materials from others. A great many discoveries came from bright minds who left for the Freelands to pursue knowledge in their own way, where their host nations may not have been welcoming or caring of their pursuits prior. While the world has advanced, some places are still in darker ages, and materials science has not spread or advanced evenly across the world.