Entropic Radiation
Entropic radiation (E-rad), sometimes known as Anomalous Radiation, is the emission or transmission of Koleshiv particles moving through space. The radiation is often referred to as "concentrated entropy" and, when properly harnessed, has the ability to turn matter into usable energy, as seen in precursor artefacts such as the Dark Obelisks. Entropic radiation, while thought of by most as an independent system, is in actuality a property of the Substrate. It is reality's way of controlling informational density, and because information defines everything in reality, this can be harnessed. This also means that parties with access to substratic technology can control entropics at a much higher level.
Effects
Matter
When uncontrolled, entropic radiation is a destructive, unpredictable force. In combat, it is one of the most powerful weapons in existence, short only of reality control through substratics. It tears matter apart on an informational level rather than a physical one, making it near-impossible to block except with specialist shielding known as fractal armour. E-rad transformation takes effect immediately on the material, with no propagation delay or acceleration, as it acts on the information which defines the material on the Substratic grid, not the manifold-projected material simulation seen in three-dimensional space.
While the most well-known type of entropic radiation is its namesake, there exists an opposite known as syntropic radiation (S-rad). This inverse type projects order, not chaos. Effects of syntropic radiation exposure include materials spontaneously rearranging themselves into geometric or crystalline formations and the refinement of complex computer systems. Exposure of consciousness to syntropic radiation is very destructive, as it essentially "simplifies" an intelligence until almost nothing remains of an individual's former self.
Also, when a homogenous and pure quantity of a material is bombarded with entropic or syntropic radiation, its molecular structure cannot be simplified nor complicated. As the energy has seemingly nowhere else to go, the particles instead integrate themselves into the atomic makeup of the target, effectively giving them a charge. This is the basis of entropic activation, which is used to create exofluids and fractal armour.
Sapients
E-rad effects on sapient beings are extremely catastrophic and disturbing. Most exposures simply result in death, but extremely resilient subjects in combination with massive E-rad doses can transform both the body and mind instead of destroying it, resulting in a so-called psionic superform. This is the only known method of artificially creating sapient anomalies, examples of which include Exon and the Selerian Horror. The Aegis Institute also practices intentional exposure of their combat personnel, known as casters, to E-rad in order to grant them advanced psionic abilities.
Reality
Entropic radiation can actually cause damage to manifolds, causing the lesser effects of manifold distortion at low levels and even causing manifold scarring with powerful instantaneous pulses.
Protection
Blocking entropic radiation is similar to the process for ionising gamma radiation; a thick enough wall of a heavy material such as lead or concrete will mean the particles will be stopped before being able to influence any changes on anything beyond; however, the radiation will introduce informational entropy to the blocking material over time and can rapidly weaken it. Engineered materials such as fractal armour are especially useful for blocking entropic radiation due to the dense complexity of their construction and lightweight nature.