Nagata (Mineral)

[Alora Vizsla]

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: Describe an alternative material for use in subs defending Non-Force characters in conflict with Force Sensitive ones.
• Image Source: iStockPhoto (Granite)
• Canon Link: N/A
• Permissions: N/A
• Primary Source: Kyber Crystal, Void Stone, Ysalamir

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: Wanderlust Wares
• Affiliation: Wanderlust Wares, The Mandalorian Enclave
• Market Status: Open-Market
• Model: Nagata Mineral
• Modularity: No
• Production: Mass-Produced
• Material: Nagata (itself)

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: Mineral
• Weight: Average
• Color: Dark Granite
• Resistances:
  • Energy: Average
  • Kinetic: Low
  • Lightsabers: Low
  • Acid: Low
  • Force: Extreme
  • Other: Average

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Absorption - Equipment made from, with, or supplemented by an additional external layer of Nagata mineral is capable of instantly absorbing Force energy. The amount of energy that can be absorbed at any given time or cumulatively over time varies based on the amount of unbroken Nagata -- the larger the crystalline lattice, the greater the absorptive capability.
• Capacitor - Once the lattice is saturated with Force energy, the Nagata mineral emits the entire charge all at once. The effect of this burst varies, but the most common is that of a concussive explosion. Harnessed (used in an equipment sub, for example) this power could fuel other Force effects, however.

STRENGTHS

• Absorption - The more unbroken, connected Nagata worn by a person or built-in to a machine, the more Force energy it can absorb at any given time or over a prolonged period of time before the energy is discharged.
• Capacitor - The collected Force Energy when discharged might be harnessed to fuel a Force-based effect (e.g. healing, concussive force) of a strength equal to the amount of energy collected. (The bigger the battery, the more power to utilize later.)

WEAKNESSES

• Fragile - As a mineral, raw or exposed Nagata is not a very strong material. It is susceptible to direct physical assault (not energy-based) that may crack the crystalline lattice making both absorption and discharge at lesser strength (if at all).
• Discharge - The bigger the capacitor, the more Force Energy will need to be absorbed before the power will be discharged. While you may get a far larger effect from a suit of Nagata, the tactical question arises: can you afford to wait or goad your enemy into large or frequent enough Force-based attacks to trigger the release before falling in battle?
• Unpredictability - The timing of the discharge and its effect are unpredictable without further refinement during crafting. Even then timing will remain a problem. Without refinement the discharge will result in a concussive burst that may prove useful at times, but it won't differentiate friend from foe; a craftsman should try to shape the release so a specific effect is obtained (e.g. healing).

DESCRIPTION
Kyber Crystals are renown for their ability to harness the Force for the purposes of lightsabers and other technologies. Meanwhile, Void Stone and the Ysalamir lizards are known as means of suppressing or negating Force abilities; materials that are often sought after by those that engage in conflict with Force Sensitives throughout the galaxy. Such materials, however, can at times be difficult to come by or expensive given recent demand. Fortunately, as is often the case, an experimental error resulted in a strange new mineral in Wild Space forming a lattice in a lab that when exposed to the Force conferred some unexpectedly promising results.

How ever Void Stone or Ysalamir cause the galactic-binding of the Force to vanish, this mineral did the opposite when refined appropriately -- instead of negating the Force's existence, it absorbed it. Its absorptive capability was so voracious that if someone were wearing enough of it it would appear to have the same effect as other Force negating or cancelling means.

This property did not come without its unique twist though. Once the crystalline lattice of the Nagata was exposed to a sufficient quantity of Force energy (more than existed in a region not saturated by the Force), instead of absorbing energy it would instead emit it all at once. Uncontrolled this burst could have any number of effects, but the most common one was a localized concussive force.

Further research will refine the technique in harnessing this explosive power once shaped into armor or supporting equipment (e.g. a small healing effect giving you that last second boon to avoid death). The immediate benefit is that Mandalorian warriors -- and others that are not Force Sensitive -- can withstand an increasing amount of Force attacks. How much will depend on the amount of Nagata either built-in to their beskgar'gam, or layered on top of it; with the more Nagata conferring more protection. A bracer of Nagata, for example, may allow a soldier to withstand a Force Push or Lightning Barrage. A breastplate of Nagata may allow another to resist Black Lightning or Force Crush abilities. The amount and effectiveness will vary considerably based on circumstances and amount of undamaged mineral.

Nagata that is made part of equipment with normally far stronger properties will have a greater chance of withstanding direct physical assault. Meanwhile, a supplementary layer of Nagata (e.g. a bracer strapped on top of existing armor) will be more exposed and an opponent would have an easier time attacking it directly if the wearer is not accustomed to closer-quarter combat. A direct attack by Force abilities would be ineffective, however, given the mineral's inherent ability to absorb such power (though if Nagata-based equipment is poorly manufactured the burst effect from being over-charged may have unforeseen consequences).