Phraxdust
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Phraxdust is a fictional substance from Paul Stewart's The Edge Chronicles
Phraxdust is made by grinding Stormphrax down, and has the incredible property of purifying water. A single grain of it turns the most toxic sludge into crystal clear water.
[edit] History
[edit] Discovery
It was discovered when a forthling named Vilnix Pompolnius stole some of the sacred Stormphrax from the treasury of Sanctaphrax. Stormphrax is made of solid lightning, and Vilnix wanted to see if he could tap into its power. He and his assistants tried hundreds of different tests and experiments to harness its power, until eventually Vilnix crushed it with a mortar and pestle in anger. He observed the amazing properties of the new Phraxdust, and decided to make some more, but when he tried to grind a second piece, the Stormphrax released its energy in an explosion that killed all of the assistants. Still pondering over the mystery, Vilnix used his new Phraxdust to make himself "Most high Academe" at the top of the Sanctaphrax hierarchy.
[edit] Vilnix Pompolnius's Regime
When Vilnix Pompolnius came to his seat of power, there was a problem in Sanctaphrax. The giant floating city was becoming too buoyant and if nothing were done it would snap the great anchor chain and float off into the sky. For centuries Stormphrax had weighed the city down, but because Vilnix stole some, the anchor chain as threatening to break. Vilnix had the factories of undertown build great chains and weights to attach on to the Sanctaphrax rock. This polluted the Edgewater River, so Phraxdust was used to purify it. It was still unknown how the Phraxdust was made in the first place, and every time Vilnix took more Stormphrax for his experiments, the city got lighter. This vicious circle would have continued if it was not for Twig Vergenix, a young sky pirate who discovered the secret of Phraxdust, and brought stormphrax back to the treasury. Vilnix was stripped of his title and was assassinated shortly afterwards.
