So I've been reading about Viridium...
This deep green volcanic glass is similar to obsidian but is formed when molten rock is tainted with anomalous trace minerals from deep beneath the earth whose emanations are toxic to living things. It can be fragmented to razor sharpness, but even a tiny amount of viridium contacting the bloodstream can pass on a wasting sickness.
Any successful hit with a viridium weapon causes the target to contract leprosy (Fortitude DC 12 negates). On a successful critical hit, a tiny fragment of viridium breaks off within the target, affecting it as though with greenblood oil (Fortitude DC 13 negates).
A creature carrying a viridium weapon must save every 24 hours or contract leprosy unless the weapon is kept inside an extradimensional space (such as an efficient quiver) or a scabbard lined with lead.
Tell me that doesn't sound like fantasy Uranium and Radiation sickness? I found it very interesting, which got me wondering: was this similarity intended on purpose? The effects of radiation are pretty similar to leprosy...
Would true radiation be considered a poison or disease? Would magic heal it? Would Paladins be immune to it?
I'm toying with the idea of building a Clockwork Soldier npc powered by a Viridium crystal heart, running a mini nuclear reactor in its chest instead of the normal clockwork winding. The heart contains a soul, and the Clockwork is sentient. Just toying with it, but it sounds really fun. :)