Ironbound

A metaphysical condition resulting in a complete immunity to magic.

Causes

Ther are three significant factors in the progression of ironbinding:

• physical over-exposure to iron in the environment, causing iron particles to lodge in the body
• a psychological blindness to magic, caused by the significance of iron to the sufferer - originally believed to be caused by the 'dedication' ritual, the metaphyical weight of iron distorts the smith's ability to sense magic
• a numbing of arcane ability, caused by repeated ineffectual application of the will on ironwork - using magic in fabrication is a natural insinct, but iron's innate resistance causes damage the neural pathways responsible for channelling magic

By limiting any two, the worst effects of ironbinding can be largely avoided.

Symptoms

Sufferer cannot kindle magic, nor be directly affected by it.
The use of magic in all factors of life, from housekeeping to medicine, means that the sufferer is locked out of common society, unemployable in any career outside ironworking. Further, they will require the attentions of a specialised medical practitioner in the event of serious injury, as cantrips and salves to repair broken bones, serious wounds, and internal bleeding are rendered entirely ineffective. Consequentially, sufferers are often marked by prominent scarring or deformities cause by inexpertly set bones.

Treatment

By working with bronze - or, more specifically, copper - a blacksmith can reduce the impact of ironworking on their mental and arcane capacity. In 5.532, the Toinuan council established guidelines limiting lifetime exposure to iron which have been widely adopted.

Prognosis

People suffering under the full extent of the condition may generally expect a reduced lifespan, succumbing to injury and illness in the absence of specialised care.
There is no known treatment to reverse the effects of ironbinding, but long-term convalesence and complete abstinance from ironwork have been successful in preventing its progression.

Sequela

Although an individual becoming fully ironbound is nowhere near as common, some desensitisation to magic is to be expected over the lifetime of a blacksmith.

Affected Groups

Most commonly associated with blacksmiths and other ironworkers.

History

Originally found in blacksmiths, the condition of being ironbound was originally believed to be caused by devoting oneself oneself to the spirit of Iron, but this was disproven in 5.438, when the Anaqian and Ulusukian Guild of Metalsmiths changed their initiation rituals for blacksmiths, no longer requiring them to pledge themselves to the service of their metal in an ineffectual effort to stem the rate at which the smiths became ironbound.
In 5.516, the Toinuan College of Blacksmiths merged with the Amalgamated Fellowship of Coppersmiths during the Five-Year Summer, and smiths who worked with both iron and bronze - even in small quantities - appeared to resist becoming ironbound. Toinuan arcanists were then able to isolate the cause to a combination of factors (see: Causes)

Cultural Reception

All cultures have a history of ironbound individuals and cultural reception varies, although most people will confess to being uncomfortable around them.
An ironbound individal may be perceived to have sacrificed their health for the good of their country or community, or may be seen as a pitiable figure condemned to an early death. Some rural areas hold blacksmiths in high esteem whilst holding them at a distance, preventing them from engaging with community celebrations and prohibiting them from marriage, parenthood, or even entering settlements except on certain feast days.

Type

Divine

Origin

Divine

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare

Affected Species

• Kana'ōnah
• Yutaaq
• Ialy