Armon

Properties

Material Characteristics

The ore for this material appears to be small cubes with a dark metallic luster, similar to pyrite. When smelted it instead appears as a darker metal which can be polished for a dark shine. The metal tends to be on the stiffer side, which can limit its use on its own. The metal is about as dense as Copper.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Also known as Filler Metal, Armon has the unique property of self-separating from any alloys it is a part of when they are melted down. An additional property, that is very well liked, is that it doesn't change the color of the alloy it is within.

Compounds

The most common use for Armon alloys is in coinage, which allows for the dilution of the pure metals in the coins to keep their values consistent while also giving an easy way to recover the precious metals within. Additionally, the stiffness inherent in Armon is passed onto the coins, firming up the otherwise soft precious metals and making them much more resistant to wear.

Geology & Geography

Armon ore is a fairly common ore. It is normally found in large air pockets growing on the walls and in solid pillars crisscrossing the pocket.

History & Usage

Everyday use

The most common use of Armon is as part of coins, where it is mixed in to standardize their weights and sizes while keeping the amounts of precious metals within them reasonable.

Refinement

The pyrite-like ore form of Armon is not useful, which means that the ore needs to be melted down before it can be used.

Distribution

Law & Regulation

Armon is not a particularly useful metal, so most of the laws about it specifically apply to its use in minting currency. In Falerith, it is forbidden for anyone other than the five dukes and duchesses to mix the metal into currency. They take the responsibility seriously and are quick to punish anyone misusing Armon.

Melting / Freezing Point

843 ^oC

Density

5.11 g/cm³

Common State

Solid ore, with small cubic formations