Ragnite ore

Ragnite is a type of mineral with many different uses, from anti-tank weapons to fuel and medicine. The country of Gallia is known for its large Ragnite deposits. Sufficiently refined Ragnite emits sunlight-like light, while Ragnite ore glows blue.

Vying for the control of known Ragnite sources is the main reason for the Imperial invasion of Gallia.

Usage and extraction
Ragnite sees a wide variety of commercial and industrial applications. It is primarily used as an energy source, and Ragnite engines power tanks, wheeled vehicles and even locomotives and ships. Characters use Ragnaids composed of Ragnite in the field to heal wounds. Ragnite derivatives are also used as propellant and payload explosives in grenades, shells and rockets, and to make strong armour plating

The wide variety of uses indicate Ragnite is somewhat like crude oil; much as crude oil can be refined into many different hydrocarbons with differing properties, so Ragnite can be formed into numerous specific types such as the "Ragnoline" used in vehicles. Most forms of Ragnite appear to be relatively volatile, though stable forms exist. It appears to replace petrochemicals in all applications; Ragnite is used for everthing from gasoline to lamp oil. It is not entirely clear if petrochemicals are even present

Heat seems a primary concern in a Ragnite engine; vehicles are fitted with large radiator panels to disperse it, which emit the characteristic bright blue glow of Ragnite itself when operating. While Ragnite seems to generate electricity, the power from a Ragnite engine is from mechanical action; the Edelweiss is said to use a turbine, makes sounds which would be associated with a steam boiler. Presumably, the Ragnite is primarily used to supply heat to such systems, though combustion engines also appear to exist. Ragnite engines do not seem to produce visible exhaust; even though warships are seen with smokestacks, these are simply used to elevate the radiator plates, and do not produce any smoke trail.Ragnite is mined from deep underground deposits, and mining is said to be hazardous. The refining of Ragnite is equally dangerous and involve large amounts of pungent chemicals that leave workers with a distinctive and disagreeable smell; there is significant social stigma attached to this, and it is part of the negative stereotypes surrounding the Darcsens. Gallia's primary source of Ragnite is the mining works and refinery at Fouzen.

Ragnide gas is a thick, blue aerosol and a powerful nerve agent, apparently used extensively: it was banned by the Land War Treaty of the continental council, but Gallia still maintains some stocks of Ragnide shells in "pre war armouries." the gas proving potent enough to even disable a Valkyria. Fear of such weapons is apparently sufficient to carry antidotes to the gas.

Ancient Ragnite
The Valkyrur possessed much greater capability to refine Ragnite than is possible in present-day Europa, and used it to form powerful weaponry which they could manipulate with their natural abilities, usually taking the form of a shield and lance. These relics can be manipulated by those with Valkyrur blood when they "awaken" near death; when activated, they increase dramatically in size from their dormant state, emitting the blue curling flames that are the hallmark of a true Valkyria's power. As well as making the Valkyria practically invulnerable, they can also channel energy into destructive beams of light, creating machine gun-like rapid fire, powerful pulses, or enormous shockwaves of energy. This ability can be replicated technologically to a limited extent, and attempting to reproduce the ancient weapons has led to the development of Artificial Valkyria technology; this apparently required experimentation with Ragnite derivatives on true Valkyria held at an Imperial research facility, while this technology creates powerful soldiers, their abilities are far inferior to those of a true Valkyria wielding the Valkyrur's relic weapons. In addition, Artificial Valkyria require large amounts of external power to operate.The largest known Ragnite weapon to have been unearthed is the almighty Valkof, a huge Valkyrur lance once used in the War of the Valkyrur, said to have been mounted on a enormous vehicle called the "ark;" the precise nature of this vehicle is not known.

While not clearly Ragnite-derived, the Valkyria's "final flame" power also emits the blue glow of Ragnite; this power produces a colossal explosion (similar to one generated by the detonation of a nuclear explosive device), capable of destroying anything within a huge radius.

Trivia

 * Ragenō is a proto-Germanic term for "Gods" or "Ruling Powers," most well-known as part of the Norse word "Ragnarök." Ragnarök was the name of a mythical battle where many Gods would be slain and the world destroyed and remade.