Blood Steel
"Bring me the captured rangers. My blade will gorge on their lifeblood and power our assault on their last defenses."Blood Steel is a rare and powerful magical metal often used in the crafting of edged weapons of war. Prolonged use increases both the blade and wielders power and lethality. Both grow stronger the more the blade is used in battle, with a change from a steel grey color to a bright red, the weapons are quite noticeable on the battlefield and woe to anyone unfortunate enough to face one in combat.
Properties
Material Characteristics
This is a very hard and unrelenting metal. Its stark, grey color is always speckled with small, bright red flecks throughout the material. This metal is harsh to the touch, unpliable, and holds an edge extremely well. It is unexpectedly smooth and feels quite warm to the touch.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Bladed weapons made from this controversial material have been a terror on the battlefield going back thousands of years. This is mainly due to the unusual properties associated with such metals. Often called "Blood Drinkers", these weapons appear to grow more powerful and deadly, the more blood that they taste. Not "more" in terms of the volume of blood, but "more" in terms of the number of individuals that the blade has cut into. As the weapon "tastes" additional blood, it becomes stronger, sharper, more resistant, more potent, and more lethal. The wielder also grows in confidence, fury, and rath. As this is happening, a noticeable change occurs to the appearance of the metal. The small red flecks in the metal begin to absorb the blood and grow larger, turning the grey metal progressively more red. These gains are short lived, as the material begins to lose them an hour after the last blood was tasted. This also leaves the wielder with a temporary sense of loss and weakness, and a strong desire to reclaim the missing power. It is not uncommon for many of the wielders to be come physically, emotionally, and psychologically addicted to the power and feeling of these weapons.
Geology & Geography
This is not a naturally occurring metal and the high quality steel used in the manufacturing process usually originates from the high quality iron brought to the planet in the form of meteorites.
Origin & Source
This metal must be created from very high quality iron and done so by someone with very special skills and unique knowledge of the manufacturing process.
History & Usage
History
The historical perceptions of Bloodsteel by people is complicated, as most perceptions are. It has been both loved and hated, and often by the same people. When used to protect their lives and cities, it has been cheered, and when used to destroy them, it has been cursed. Most societies today view the manufacture and use of such weapons as immoral, although a few tend to defend it as desperate times requiring desperate measures. Few can argue that the blood requirement in the manufacturing process is of "Good" alignment. Especially considering that most magical creatures are sentient beings. As such, nearly all civilizations have outlawed its possession and use.
Discovery
When and who exactly first discovered or created this metal has been lost to time. Many believe that the dwarves were the original creators, as they are known to have some Bloodsteel weapons secured way for times of war. While quick to take credit for any metal crafting, they have admitted that these weapons are a fairly new creation born from the desperation of war. Orcs, bugbears, and hobgoblins are also known to have weapons of Bloodsteel, but it is thought that they lack the sophistication to craft such items themselves. The elves, who are loathe to the very concept of weapons made of this material, believe that the ancient minotaurs were the first pioneers of Bloodsteel. Elven scrolls, particularly the tragic poem entitled “Flight Of Souls”, from the Jedanaestine Scrolls of the Elleves, dates back thousands of years, hinting of the "Minotaur Princes" using weapons made from a blood hued, grey metal.
Everyday use
Most civilizations shun the use of Bloodsteel for any purpose and do not allow its use in the manufacture of any items.
Cultural Significance and Usage
Few cultures of any race use this material today with rare exceptions. The remote Zilopochtli people from Cuauhtla are rumored to use Bloodsteel daggers during their ritual sacrifices, ceremonial combat, and coming of age traditions. Additionally, many evil aligned races are quick to use such weapons during times of war.
Refinement
Few individuals today know the secrets to making Bloodsteel. Not because it's very difficult, but because the knowledge hasn't been shared and the lack of demand for the metal due to the negative cultural perception associated with possessing or knowing how to forge items out of this material.
At it's simplest, a very skilled and knowledgeable craftsman, usually a Metal Caller, must use the highest grade iron available and forge it into the highest grade steel, all the while quenching the metal in the fresh blood of a magical creature(s). This is not just a very lengthy process but also a very costly one, that isn't just paid in coin or precious materials, but perhaps may even cost ones very soul.
Manufacturing & Products
This metal is almost exclusively used to make bladed weapons.
Byproducts & Sideproducts
The Bloodsteel refinement process creates a salty, odorous yellowish liquid that is leftover as a byproduct. This toxic liquid is usually referred to as "Bloodsteel Piss". It is has no benefit other than to act as a poison, if that can be considered a benefit. Upon ingestion, the liquid concentrates and magnifies all toxins already in the body, quickly causing organ failure and death.
Reusability & Recycling
This material loses all properties if melted and cannot be reforged. Any attempt to do so always results in a brittle steel that does not survive the forging process.
Distribution
Trade & Market
This extremely rare metal is quite difficult to be found, but it is sometimes sold by skilled alchemists, artificers, wizards, sorcerers, weapon merchants, and monster hunters in certain parts of the world.
Storage
After the final creation steps, there are no special storage requirements.
Law & Regulation
Most law abiding societies frown upon any sale, possession, or use of items made from this material. The exceptions to this are usually those who are frequently at war or those that are desperately trying to defend themselves from frequent invasion or attack. Other more self righteous communities have an absolute ban on the material and will confiscate it on site and jail those offenders.
Type
Metal
Value
Worth much more than its weight in gold. Some conservative estimates are at 100 times that of gold.
Rarity
More than extremely rare.
Taste
If one is foolish enough to taste this metal, there is a distinct metallic, coppery flavor to it.
Color
These items have an odd blend of a metallic grey color with many deep, blood red flecks.
Common State
This metal is not found in nature and must be created from a very high quality iron based metal.
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