Plasma

Plasma is the fourth state of matter: a superheated, electrically conductive, highly energetic ionized medium. Across the Continuum Universes, plasma is not merely the foundation of stars—it is a strategic material, a weaponized energy source, a psionic conductor, and the base template for dozens of specialized energetic substances engineered by advanced civilizations.

While mundane plasma appears primarily in stellar cores and fusion reactions, Continuum plasma variants include structured vortex-fields, condensed war-plasma bolts, psionic plasma lattices, and starship-grade weaponized plasma able to melt armor, flesh, and stone in milliseconds.

Physical and Energetic Properties

Plasma is formed when gas is heated or energized until electrons separate from nuclei, producing a charged, conductive fluid of ions and free electrons. Its defining traits include:

extremely high temperature
electromagnetic responsiveness
fluid-like behavior with no fixed shape
ability to carry current and generate magnetic fields
spectral coloration depending on chemical composition

In Continuum science, plasma is treated not only as matter but as a **field substrate** capable of hosting psionic, photonic, and metaphysical energies.

Variations of Plasma

The Continuum recognizes multiple plasma subclasses:

Stellar Plasma

The natural plasma found within stars—hydrogen and helium undergoing constant fusion. Its temperatures reach millions of degrees, producing the baseline template for high-energy Continuum plasma.

Weaponized Condensed Plasma ("War-Plasma")

Used in:

Long Plasma Blaster bolts
plasma pistols
vortex generators
starship defense grids

This type is a tightly condensed plasma mass stabilized by magnetic containment during flight. Temperatures match stellar surfaces—10,000 K to 20,000 K—and can vaporize most conventional materials instantly.

Plasma Vortex

Generated by Vortex Guns. A spiraling, unstable coagulation of rotating plasma filaments. It behaves like a shredding cyclone, tearing through matter with thermal and kinetic devastation.

Cannon-Converted Plasma

Used in starship-grade Plasma Cannons. A solid projectile is fired through an extreme magnetic crucible, which annihilates its molecular bonds and converts the mass into roiling, superheated plasma.

This produces:

higher density than standard bolts
destructive shock-waves upon impact
residual plasma splash capable of compromising armor seams

Psionic Plasma

Appearing only in high-resonance worlds with psionic atmospheres, such as Aetherion Atmosphere environments. Here, plasma entangles with psionic fields, allowing:

conscious modulation
harmonic energy transmission
telepathically controlled containment filaments

Psionic plasma behaves like a living flame—reactive to emotion and thought.

Void-Plasma

A forbidden variation encountered in the proximity of Void anomalies. Void-Plasma burns black, emits negative luminescence, and destabilizes molecular structure into chaotic particulate waveforms. It is considered metaphysically toxic and is classified as a Class-Omega hazard.

Uses

Plasma forms the backbone of Continuum-era warfare, industry, and energy science.

Directed-Energy Weapons

Condensed plasma bolts deliver:

extreme armor penetration
molecular dissolution
catastrophic thermal transfer

With the advent of Polarized Armor, plasma lethality was reduced—but never eliminated.

Industrial Applications

starship hull forging
atmospheric re-ionization systems
fusion reactors
deep-shaft mining lasers
molecular purification furnaces

Varkest foundries use controlled plasma streams to anneal metal at psionic harmonics unattainable by ordinary heat.

Scientific and Psionic Uses

Plasma is central in:

teleportation gate activation
Aetheric field research
psionic resonance amplifiers
interdiction shields

Psionic manipulators often shape plasma filaments for rituals or controlled energy transfer.

Interaction with Armor

Plasma’s destructive capability varies by armor type:

Standard Armor: vaporized instantly
Polarized Armor: resists bolt cohesion; heat dissipates harmlessly
Varkest Armor: nearly plasma-proof due to crystalline lattice
Varkest Plating (Non-monolithic): can weaken after repeated high-temperature strikes

Even with modern defenses, a single well-placed plasma impact can be instantly fatal.

Cultural Notes

Valorîin warriors call plasma “**Star-Blood**.”
Among the Dûrka, plasma forging rituals symbolize rebirth.
Mystifean scholars argue plasma is the “halfway state between matter and soul.”

References