Floatrock

Floatrock is the material that allows the cities of Azimuth to exist. A crystalline structure that uses graviton-dissonant fibres to 'anchor' itself within a gravity well, it resists motion along the gravitational normal (ie. vertical). It is formed from a large mass proportional to the buoyant task at hand, similar to Antimass. However, unlike antimass, floatrock's mass acts as a velocity dampener, a kind of 'friction', rather than a force in the opposite direction to gravity. This means that floatrock also resists upward motion as well as downward.

The greater the mass of floatrock, the higher the maximum mass it can hold (vertically) in place. Note that it does not need to be equally & oppositely balanced to the weight; only greater.

Production

The material to make Floatrock comes from matter drilled up from the Understorm via Spine Rigs. It is created and sold as an aqueous solution, the key component being the advanced and much sought-after compound Nykorium.

Application in City Building

To build floatrock islands, liquid floatrock is applied via a hose to a skeletal framework held in place by construction ships (or mature islands). On exposure to the air, it rapidly hardens and crystalises; the structure that results then becomes effective floatrock. The buildup is typically applied in layers from underneath, leading to a distinctive smooth top and lumpy underside. Extra layers may be added over time, as a block or building is modified and its mass limit requirements change.