One of the Noble Metals, Zap Steel is one of the many special metals of the world that imparts elemental energy naturally. While similar in appearance to copper, this metal is considered dangerous to wield and handle without the proper tools. Once dislodged from the dirt or surrounding rock it will immediately crackle with electrical energy as if constantly has the motion of lightning trapped deep within it.
This metal is particularly useful for weaponry and for the creation of arcane implements for those who specialize in spells that deal with lightning. Weapons made from this metal are generally blunt in nature, used to stun or disable foes despite their employment of mundane armor as it becomes their prison. Armor made from this metal requires special care but once properly outfitted can act as a strong deterrent to a number of small creatures or assailants that rely on metal weaponry.
— Appendix III of the Yllvalion Codex, Special Metals of the World
Zap Steel is one of the many special metals of Isekai, falling into the category of
Noble Metals. Harnessing the power of lightning, this metal is one of the highly coveted metals, but is difficult to transport as unprotected exposure can paralyze or badly injure most species. This metal is often employed by jailers, enforcers, or in situations where outright death is undesirable.
Properties
While similar in appearance to
copper, Zap Steel has a number of special properties that identify it immediately once it has been dislodged from the surrounding dirt and stone. This metal will constantly give off a distinct electrical charge when it comes into contact with a grounded surface. The charge that Zap Steel generates seems to be constant though certain refinements and combinations have shown that it can build a charge over time up to a limit determined by its mass that allows it to overcome various forms of insulation. This aspect is often used in magical experiments or defenses such as metal panels on a floor, highly effective at repelling invaders that can slip past conventional detection methods.
Zap Steel is commonly found in mountainous areas at the highest altitudes, one does not have to dig far below the surface to encounter it and mines dedicated to it will often range wide instead of deep. The most concentrated findings of Zap Steel occur in the Spine of Kallex ranging up into the Neither Tundra.
Miners find this metal in small deposits in the saddles of tall peaks that have been torn by high winds and harsh weather. This makes the metal ideal to locate for beginners looking to prospect but presents danger from the weather as such locations at high altitudes can pose a risk with little warning. There are many tales of Miners stumbling upon an already mined haul of Zap Steel with the would-be owners nearby, long dead from freezing to death in the peaks of the mountains. Zap Steel can be mined with any tool that has an insulated handle, dry wooden handles are common though the storage of it often presents a greater challenge. Zap Steel is often piled on the ground to keep it grounded and then crated with packed dirt or set in vats of tree sap to avoid accidents during transportation.
History & Usage
Refined Zap Steel is most commonly used to create blunt weapons, including dusters, maces, and clubs. Other uses include gauntlets and armor that are capable of repelling grapplers and other armored foes passively. Through
Metallurgy, Zap Steel can be combined with other special metals to create a variety of alloys that harness the charged nature of Zap Steel along with the properties of the various other metals. Generally, combinations with Zap Steel preserve the discharge of energy, enhancing the traits of other metals to produce a more pronounced effect, and is often best used as an additive instead of a base.
Using vats of tree sap to transport the metal is genius!