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(semi-)Periodic table of (non-)elements

Started by Superfluous Crow, January 19, 2009, 12:21:28 PM

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Superfluous Crow

Have any of you given thought to how materials are considered in your setting and how they are organized?
It seems that most fantasy worlds use a comparably normal array of most elements and materials (iron, bronze, clay, glass) but also use a series of exotic elements, e.g. mithril/mithral and adamantium, that seem to be classified as elements although not elements that would fit neatly into our periodic table in any way and therefore are inconceivable as anything but alloys in our world (which hardly seems to be the case for the aforementioned metals).
I'm currently considering making (as in writing about it, not actually making it)a very esoteric "map" of the elements and materials and alloys interconnected by lines and symbols, instead of the classic table. This is a map that alchemists use to learn and to see what elements yield what results when mixed. How does that sound to you?
Well, these three paragraphs ended up being a bit more disconnected than intented, but feel free to comment on your thoughts about all three (preferably the last one of course).  
Currently...
Writing: Broken Verge v. 207
Reading: the Black Sea: a History by Charles King
Watching: Farscape and Arrested Development

Llum

Just to clarify, you want to a diagramme that incorporates all kinds of different fictional elements?

Perhaps this table will help youp

Stargate525

Actually, that would be pretty cool.

And why stop at base minerals, or start there?

I'm envisioning a kind of wheel. At the center is whatever 'base' you decide to go with, whether that be 3-6 classical elements, proton/neutron/electron, or something else. next you have everything built on only that, such as earth and water combining to make wood. Combine those and you get something more detailed, etcetera.

Sort of a Kingdom classification of everything.
My Setting: Dilandri, The World of Five
Badges:

Nomadic

For some reason I now have the urge to make an alchemy table for my setting.