Blacksteel

Blacksteel

Trade Good

Very Rare

In the deep, demon dug mines of Merdenkal Peninsula, Orkish slaves dream of discovering a new vein of blacksteel. It doesn't matter how thin the vein. They are all thin, lending to the scarcity of the metal. The standing law is that anyone, even a slave, that discovers blacksteel is compensated for its discovery by the The Elanthai Council and for slaves that means their freedom.

As strong as Adamantine and as light as Mithril, Blacksteel is the rarest of metals on Tarien. Pound for pound, well crafted Blacksteel weapons are worth more the diamonds. Part of the reason why is that forging weapons, tools, and armor with it require uncanny skill and near limitless patience, something that fortunately the great Elynthi houses have in abundance.

Only within the past few centuries have they even brought it into the trade market, with great houses like the Shal'Tuiz seeking to gain profits from its sale in select markets like Karradone and Grennig. Its possession, however, in non-Elynthi hands, still carries the death penalty in Merdenkal, regardless of how it was obtained.

Near Magical Properties

Blacksteel combines the best attributes of both Mithril and Adamantine. As such, any item made from it weighs half the weight of the same item made from normal steel. This light weight helps reduce penalties for wearing heavier armor (chain shirts or breastplates) as well. It can be worn under normal clothing and does not impose disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks. In addition, the Blacksteel version of armor that normally requires a strength check does not have one. For medium armor, the maximum dexterity bonus is doubled. For melee weapons, the light flexible material makes for more accurate strikes, granting the weilding a +1 on attack rolls.

In addition, Blacksteel, when forged properly, is extremely resistant to damage. When wearing Blacksteel armor attacks that would result in a critical hit are treated as normal hits, instead. This toughness allows blades to keener and materials denser. When wielding a melee weapon made from Blacksteel, the user is granted a +1 on damage rolls.

Cost: 5,000 gp per pound, unworked