Nexiumite is an extraordinarily rare and powerful mineral, found deep beneath the surface of the war-torn planet Velaraxis. Its unique properties make it invaluable for the construction and maintenance of advanced technologies, particularly those utilized by the Mechanicum and the Astartes Legions during the Horus Heresy. Nexiumite is essential for the production of high-energy plasma weapons, advanced power armor, and the intricate energy systems that power the massive war engines deployed by both Loyalist and Traitor forces.

Physical Properties

Nexiumite is a dark, metallic ore with jagged crystal formations. Its surface is often rugged and irregular, interspersed with glowing veins of faintly luminescent energy, typically in hues of blue and green. The mineral naturally emanates a weak but consistent pulse of energy, suggesting an internal source of power. These glowing veins are believed to channel raw energy, making Nexiumite not only a valuable power source but also a key material in enhancing weaponry and armor systems.

Industrial and Military Applications

Nexiumite’s conductivity and energy-storing capacity make it a cornerstone of advanced military technology. Some of its most important uses include:

1. Plasma Weaponry: The mineral’s ability to store and release vast amounts of energy with minimal loss makes it ideal for powering plasma-based weaponry. Plasma guns, pistols, and cannons all rely on Nexiumite as a core component of their energy cells, enhancing their range, firepower, and reliability.

2. Power Armor and Void Shields: Nexiumite is also a crucial element in the manufacture of advanced power armor, particularly in energy redistribution systems that enhance the resilience and strength of the wearer. Power cores built from Nexiumite significantly increase the energy output of Terminator armor and specialized units such as Cataphractii. It is also used in Void Shields, granting starships and Titans an additional layer of protection.

3. Vehicle and War Engine Enhancements: From the mighty Warlord Titans to fast-attack vehicles like Land Speeders, Nexiumite is used to boost the energy systems that power these machines. It enables sustained high-energy output, allowing vehicles to operate at peak efficiency during extended combat engagements.

4. Exotic Weaponry: It is rumored that Nexiumite can be used to create experimental and forbidden weaponry, including energy-based explosives and custom wargear for elite forces. The Dark Mechanicum seeks to exploit Nexiumite to power Daemon Engines and other warp-infused machines, further twisting its original purpose.

Strategic Importance on Velaraxis

Control over the Nexiumite mines on Velaraxis has become one of the key motivations for the ongoing battle between Loyalist and Traitor forces. The mineral is scarce, and the tunnels and mines that crisscross the planet’s subterranean layers are fiercely contested. Both sides understand that the war cannot be sustained without access to this precious resource, and capturing or defending these mines has become a high-priority objective.

The Mechanicum, especially, views Nexiumite as irreplaceable. For the Dark Mechanicum, securing Nexiumite means they can experiment with new, dangerous forms of energy-based weaponry and technological corruption. The Loyalist Mechanicum seeks to maintain a steady supply of Nexiumite to continue fueling the Imperium’s war machine, knowing that its loss could spell disaster for the broader Loyalist war effort.

Hazards and Challenges

While Nexiumite is extremely valuable, it is also dangerous to mine. The veins are often volatile, and even slight disturbances can cause explosive chain reactions in particularly dense deposits. The extraction process requires advanced machinery and protective gear, both of which are in short supply amidst the chaos of war. Moreover, the subterranean tunnels of Velaraxis are not only hazardous due to the unstable rock formations but also due to the presence of hostile forces constantly seeking to take control of the mines.

Legends and Mysteries

There are whispers of ancient xenos civilizations that once harvested Nexiumite for unknown, possibly malevolent, purposes. Some scholars of the Mechanicum believe that Nexiumite may have otherworldly origins, tied to long-forgotten alien species who once thrived on Velaraxis. This adds a layer of intrigue, and both Loyalist and Traitor factions are eager to uncover the full extent of its potential uses.

The exact limits of Nexiumite’s power remain unclear, but it is said that the mineral may hold the key to unlocking even greater technologies or destructive capabilities. Whether it will tip the balance in favor of one side in the Horus Heresy is still to be seen, but the race to control it has already led to some of the bloodiest battles in the war for Velaraxis.