Iridium (ɪˈrɪdiəm)

Out of a vibrant shining white comes a rainbow of possibility.

Iridium is an incredibly stiff, strong, yet brittle metal that absorbs the elements around it and at times has a low hum to it, this metal is considered solidified rainbow to some and a valuable curse to others. The equipment made of iridium is said to soar and slice through water with ease.

Weapons, armor, ammunition, and other equipment made of iridium require double the listed cost to be enhanced, up to +50,000 gp due to its sheer energy absorbant properties. This increase is applied once per ability added every time the item is enhanced. Equipment otherwise functions as steel besides as listed.

Weapons Weapons and ammunition made of iridium ignore all penalties of underwater combat. When coming into contact with a harsh environmental effect (up to dm discretion) or a magical effect related to an energy type, the weapon gains an elemental burst magical weapon special ability of the corresponding energy type for 1 minute. If the weapon is infused with 4 or more elemental burst special abilities, the weapon instead transforms into a brilliant energy weapon for 1 minute.

Armor Armor made of iridium no longer causes its wearer to take its armor check penalty nor does it incur its spell failure chance while underwater. Additionally, while underwater the armor's maximum Dexterity bonus no longer applies to its wearer. Upon being dealt energy damage (acid, cold, dark, electricity, ether, fire, radiant, psychic, sonic), the armor provides its wearer with 30 points of resistance of the matching energy type for one minute. If the armor is infused with 4 or more types of energy resistance, the armor immediately causes a detonation of every energy type it possesses (as per the spell detonate but the radius is doubled and the wearer is immune to the damage of this effect, the caster level for the purposes of this effect is 15).

Properties

Material Characteristics

Iridium is a pale and brilliant silvery white, made of writhing indented mounds and spirals in its natural state. In more molten areas it barely stands out compared to hardened lava or magma besides it's lighter tone. While shinier after being smelted, in its natural state it is still shiny through whatever stone holds it and is commonly mistaken for platinum until a miner attempts to acquire it. When affected by an element it has absorbed, it emits of vibrant pale white version of that element, such as a pale white flame or pure white lightning.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Brittle yet incredibly strong, capable of absorbing many of the energies of the world. Iridium is an incredibly useful and heavy metal that suddenly feels weightless when submerged. When active and sometimes even when inactive, the metal emits a low vibrating hum and gives off a slight cold heat. Due to its ability to absorb all obstacles, it is said that a weapon made of iridium might one day become the shining star sword.

Geology & Geography

The sheer rarity of iridium as well as the lack of a natural place in the order of the world often leads to iridium having no identifiable or discernable pattern to the areas its been found in, though some believe it is more common below the deep.

History & Usage

History

Iridium's natural appearances in history is few and the recordings of how civilizations have reacted to finding even an ingot of it is long lost to ancient history. However it is theorized and told in more traditional tales that the mighty artefact caliburn was made from it to be a replica of the long foretold shining starsword, with the shining starsword believed to be the final end result of any truly mastered iridium blade. Sadly, in ancient records it is said that the caliburn could only manage to replicate a single point of the star.

Aptitude
Craftsman Expert, Thaumaturgic Expert
Related Skills
Craft, Profession (Blacksmith)

Type

Metal

Rarity

Super Rare

Odor

Odorless

Taste

White Grapes

Color

Silvery white

Common State

Solid

HP/inch 15; Hardness 15; Cost see table; Weight 2x normal.

Type of Item	Item Cost Modifier
Ammunition	+35 gp per missile
Light armor	+3,000 gp
Medium armor	+6,000 gp
Heavy armor	+12,000 gp
Weapon	+5,000 gp
Shield	+3,000 gp

This table only functions when the material is acquirable.