Spice Melange
From the Encyclopedia of Speculative Fiction - http://encyclopedia.wizards.pro
The Spice Melange, commonly referred to simply as 'the spice', is a naturally produced chemical that forms a fundamental block of the Dune universe's trade, travel and cultural development. It is produced exclusively on the planet Arrakis.
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Origins
The spice originates on the planet Arrakis, where it is produced deep beneath the sands. Its creation is related to both sandworms and sandtrout.
Its discovery by the ancestors of the Fremen had little impact on various cultures of humans that inhabit the Dune universe. However, it quickly becomes an integral part of Fremen culture.
After Spice Melange was discovered by off-worlders it quickly became a sought-after resource within the empire. Though Frank Herbert does not ellaborate on how it was discovered in his original novels, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson describe the event in 'The Machine Crusades'. In this novel it is discovered accidentally by the Tleilaxu Tuk Keedair, who then introduces it to his colleague Aurelius Venport. Their joint business venture VenKee Enterprises then introduce it to various groups within the League of Nobles.
By the start of the novel 'Dune', Spice Melange is the single resource that is capable of creating or destroying whole empires. Consequently, Arrakis has become a greatly prized location, and management of the Spice mining operations is considered a prestigious, though difficult, task. Spice collection is hindered both by the aggressive and territorial sandworms, and by the gurrila tactics employed by the Fremen, who resent the presence and activities of off-worlders.
During the time of the God-Emperor, spice production reduced significantly due to terraforming efforts on Arrakis. However, by this time significant stockpiles of spice had been collected and hidden by Leto II. These later prove valuable for a variety of reasons.
Characteristics
In basic form the spice appears as a reddish-brown powder that appears on the desert floor following Spice Blows. After collection and processing it is changed into a variety of forms, including a syrup-like liquid and a compressed solid form. Its odour is almost identical to cinnamon.
- Mind altering: it awakens dormant parts of the human mind and encourages expanded sensory perceptions. In some humans (notably the Bene Gesserit, Paul Atreides and his son Leto Atreides II) heavy doses leads to powerful abilities that include prescience;
- Health benefits: taken regularly it increases life expectancy and fortifies health levels;
- Addictiveness: the spice has narcotic properties, thus increasing demand and creating a large and hungry market for it. An individual's addiction to the spice increases the more they consume of it.
- Physical effects: sustained use of the spice leads to human eyes being discolored so that the entire eye is stained blue. Extensive exposure to the spice creates a huge physical dependency that can radically alter the entire body (see Guild navigators).
Groups critically dependent on the Spice
Alternatives to Spice Melange
Due to the monopoly of the spice, finding a viable alternative gradually becomes the focus of certain groups - most notably the Tleilaxu. Control of the spice during the Corrino Empire is later eclipsed in scope by the God-Emperor Leto Atreides II. This leads to protracted attempts to synthesize the spice, which eventually yield limited results for Bene Tleilax.