Silicon

Silicon is a naturally-occurring metal known for its properties as a semiconductor.

Distribution

T'vaqi

Silicon is found naturally in large quantities in T'vaqi. It is one of the nation's key natural resources, along with coal and copper. Silicon in its pure form does not occur naturally and requires laborious extraction processes to create; most silicon in T'vaqi is considered "rough" to a certain degree, typically measured in percentages. The material is extracted from natural deposits of quartzite found in caves in the island's southwest.

After the properties of silicon were discovered, it became highly valuable in T'vaqi, and settlements were developed around the largest deposits. A'shara, which derives its name from the native word for the metal, is the nation's largest silicon mining settlement.

Use

Silicon is primarily utilized in the creation of machinery and electronics. Some computers use silicon-based circuitry. Quartzite, the rock silicon is derived from, is occasionally used in jewelry and decoration. It is theorized that the Factions of T'vaqi used quartzite rock for tools and weaponry.

In T'vaqi, the practical applications of silicon in machinery were discovered and subsequently monopolized by Moso Ila, the great-grandfather of the late Arav Ila.

Trade

T'vaqi began exporting silicon to Hapšâw in 61 PC in exchange for lumber. The trade route is known as Silicon Alley. Port Silicon was established on the southern coast of T'vaqi to facilitate this trade.