Yo, in order to reduce the need to skim through Discord, I compiled all currently known facts about Ichor. If you want, you could add this to the OP or link to it [@Flagg]. This way we have some resources for concepts we worked out over time, and can expand as we discuss more things in the future.

As a side-note, I added some miscellaneous notes to my "[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4839679]character sheet[/url]" to provide some information I wasn't able to place anywhere else. Said section may or may not receive additional stuff in the future, should the need arise.

[hider=Ichor]
In its natural state, Ichor is an viscous, oily black liquid, found in deposits above and below the surface, though likely originating from the depths of the planet. Pools of it can occasionally be found in the wilderness and are usually associated with the presence of mutants. The city of Terminus Est is located above the largest currently known deposit and has become the primary producer of the stuff.

It is a highly dangerous substance as the fumes it gives off act as a deliriant that can potentially render a man permanently and violently insane. Worse still is its effect on unprotected skin: organic matter touching it can be subjected to chaotic and disturbing mutations almost immediately. A plausible theory posits that the mutants which plague the wastelands are all originally men or beasts that became exposed to Ichor and have changed into their present shape. Because of its properties, harvesting Ichor is best left to professionals or labor corps with plenty of cheap bodies to spare (likely the case in Terminus Est).

Psionics, or magic - however one might want to refer to the ability to locally break the laws of nature - is a supernatural ability that becomes latent in creatures that have been exposed to Ichor directly or indirectly. Indeed, simply being born in an area that has a lot of ambient Ichor bears a small chance that the child will be gifted. More direct exposure will only increase these powers. This also means that every mutant is not only a horrifying amalgam of body parts, but also a magical monstrosity capable of warping reality to a degree. Vice-versa, though this is not always admitted, it means that every mage is technically a mutant. The line is thinner than most realize.

A process exists by which liquid Ichor can be refined and hardened - perhaps baked - into a solid, crystalline state. Crystallized Ichor is less potent than in its liquid form, but retains the basic properties still. Generally speaking, crystalline Ichor is much safer to handle and has become the de facto way to distribute it for use. Mystics in particular enjoy consuming crystallized Ichor in various ways to amplify their sorcerous and unnatural powers, but it can also be used in the creation of Ichor-infused metal alloys or even the construction of unspeakable machinery, such as Black Pillars.

A final property inherent to Ichor that bears mentioning is that it is completely immune to the Rot. This makes it the only known material on the entire planet that is not disintegrated and consumed by the apocalyptic catastrophe that is devouring the earth. The two forces seemingly cancel each other out, with the Rot being unable to devour Ichor, and with Ichor being unable to manifest any of its magical phenomena near the Rot. Speculations on the reasons for any of this run the gamut, but none of them could claim to be founded on any true science as neither the Rot, nor Ichor is understood on even a fundamental level. These are things not meant for mortal minds to know...
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