Bog Iron
Deposits of iron found in the marsh’s peat beds, valuable for forging durable weapons resistant to corrosion.
Bog Iron is a staple resource of the marshlands, prized for its durability, enchantability, and ease of extraction. Though it may lack the sheer strength of deep-mined iron, its resistance to rust and renewable nature make it an indispensable material in the harsh, wet environments where it is found.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Color & Appearance: Dark reddish-brown nodules found in waterlogged soil
Physical & Chemical Properties
- Highly resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for weapons, armor, and tools used in the damp and humid environments of the marsh.
- While not as strong as deep-mined iron, its natural regeneration in marshy areas makes it a renewable resource, albeit slow-growing.
- Its slightly porous structure means it can be infused with alchemical substances, making it valuable for enchanted weaponry and armor crafting.
Origin & Source
Common Sources: Peat beds, marshes, and wetlands of the Howling Marsh and Black Bog
History & Usage
Everyday use
1. Weapon & Armor Crafting
- Marsh-dwelling warriors and rangers favor Bog Iron weapons due to their resistance to rust, essential in the ever-damp Howling Marsh.
- Blacksmiths in Tlaumaren and similar settlements mix Bog Iron with harder metals to create durable yet flexible blades and lightweight armor.
2. Alchemical & Magical Uses
- Soaks up enchantments well, making it a preferred base metal for runed weapons or protective charms.
- When alloyed with Stormglass or Eldershard, it becomes electrically conductive, useful for channeling storm magic.
3. Structural & Industrial Use
- Some wooden structures in the bogs are reinforced with Bog Iron components, as they can withstand the humid air better than normal iron.
- Bridge supports, port structures, and tools in marsh settlements are often crafted from it.
Refinement
- Bog Iron naturally forms in wetlands due to the slow deposition of iron minerals from groundwater. Over time, bacteria and organic matter contribute to its accumulation in peat beds and shallow bog waters.
- It is easier to extract than traditional ore since it occurs close to the surface, often requiring only basic digging and filtering techniques to collect.
- Once gathered, it is smelted at lower temperatures than other ores, making it a practical material for primitive forges and small-scale metalworkers.
Distribution
Trade & Market
- Essential to Howling Marsh industries, with many local smiths and Ruin Delvers depending on it.
- Fenstalker Clans and other marsh-faring peoples refine Bog Iron in crude forges, using it to craft lightweight, resilient weapons for hunting and warfare.
- While not as valuable as mined iron, it remains widely traded due to its accessibility and corrosion resistance.
Type
Ore
Related Locations
Comments