Bloodsteel

Bloodsteel was smelted from a very rare ore found only on Sia Zendylhia (then known as Sia Targonorva) in the Zendylite Empire. When forged, it assumes a reddish hue and resists being shaped into any object other than weaponry. When wielded by an agressive and ferocious warrior, a bloodsteel weapon will enhance their speed, reflexes, and strength, so long as it is wielded offensively.

Bloodsteel production was ended, and weapons made from the material were abruptly outlawed, shortly after the Bloodhand Rebellion in the late 24th century ATC.

Utility

Bloodsteel resists being worked into anything other than weapons, and gives a distinct sensation of seeking violence when handled. When wielded by the brutal troops of the Bloodhand Vanguard, whose training emphasised agression and ferocity, it enhanced their strength, speed, and reflexes so long as it was being wielded offensively. This effect would noticeably wane in any instance of faltering or hesitation, leading the Bloodhands to sometimes take near-suicidal risks in combat in order to maintain the power of their weapon.

Even when not empowered by agression, Bloodsteel is slightly lighter than regular steel, but equally strong, making it easier to wield.

by Grimbjorn Gregersson w/ LunaPic.com filter

Manufacturing

Any sufficiently skilled weaponsmith was capable of working Bloodsteel; however, during the time of its use and production, both were tightly controlled by the Sharrarch, and only select smiths were permitted to work for the Imperial administration. The sole beneficiaries of this production (with the exception of a handful of items personally requested by various Sharrarchs) were the Bloodhand Vanguard.

Social Impact

For several centuries, the harsh training and Bloodsteel weapons of the Bloodhand Vanguard made them the most feared and ferocious force in the known world, which in turn made them invaluable to the aggressive expansion of the Zendylite Empire. When they apparently rebelled in the Bloodhand Rebellion, the citizenry of the Empire were shocked that their most rewarded sons had betrayed them, and the Empire itself was plunged into a state of fear and confusion. Shortly thereafter, the Sharrarch issued a decree that the Vanguard needed to be destroyed, and quietly shuttered Bloodsteel production, locking away all remaining weapons made of it and banning its use or making on pain of death. Though the Empire would successfully eliminate the Bloodhands and survive the Rebellion, it would become a shadow of its former glory as a result.

Inventor(s)

Zendyl Heste do Shaphel a.k.a. Zendyl the Messenger

Access & Availability

The ore from which Bloodsteel is derived is only found in the mountains of the westermost portion of Sia Zendylhia. For the entire history of its use, until its banning in the late 24th century ATC, its production was carefully controlled by the Imperial administration, and its use was limited almost exclusively to the now-defunct Bloodhand Vanguard.

Discovery

First discovered in 1013ATC by a young Zendyl Hestesi do Shaphel (known to history as Zendyl the Messenger), on his third expedition to Sia Targonorva.

Blood for the Messenger