Iron

Iron is a rare and dangerous metal. In it's natural form it is only ever found when it falls from the skies. As an ore it is uncommon, and even with the hottest charcoal fuelled furnaces barely melts having to be beaten for hours to remove the impurities.

Properties

Physical & Chemical Properties

Iron has to be smelted in a very hot charcoal fuelled furnace, and even then is only partially melted - having to be pounded to remove impurities. Some claim it can be melted for casting but these temperatures are not normally attainable.

Iron can be hard and britle or or soft and pliable depending upon how it was cooled (Tempered).

Master Ironsmiths can use this material to make long-swords of incredible sharpness - particularly if Sky-Iron is used.

Iron is particularly dangerous because it draws off Aethyr, confounds spirits and disrupts magic without providing equivalent protection from the effects of spells cast by enemies! It takes careful enchantment to deaden this effect.

Sky-Iron that is not heated may be used as a compass as it always aligns itself to the same orientation as it held in the sky (before it fell down)

Iron and Water should not be mixed for it will quickly start to turn to a red rust. (Even the wet on your skin can start this process.) For this reason, Iron should be kept clean and dry, or oiled to repel water.

Origin & Source

It is argued whether Iron is a Gift or a Curse of the gods. It is associated with the gods of the Aethyr, but whether this association is a true one is debated.

Type

Metal

Color

Anything from Blood-Red through to Black - but can be polished to silver

Boiling / Condensation Point

Magical

Melting / Freezing Point

Very hot

Common State

Ore - or as Sky-Iron.