Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Fantasy Materials
Fantasy Materials
Fantasy Materials
Aluminium
This is Aluminum and is very very rare. It is more valuable
than platinum. This is a common real material rather than a
fantasy material but is included here for completeness of
terminology. Aluminium is worth 1 oz. = 100gp.
Adamantite
Adamantite is an opaque crystalloid material (a metalloid
like boron) of bright sky blue color. It is more often seen
alloyed to steel in the form of Adamantine Steel (called
Adamantium) than in any other form. However, it is strongest
in its pure form and is very rare. Drows make an adamantine
steel that is black. They alloy the adamantite with
something else or use a completely different material. The
word Adamant simply means as hard as Adamantium. It is
second only to Hard Galvorn in weapons. Adamantite is worth
1 oz.= 500gp.
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Angilian also Starmetal
This is metoric iron from nickel-iron metorites. It has
unknown and unusual powers. This material is not found
anywhere in the world; there is no Angilian mine anywhere.
Angilian is found only in meteorites. Angilian is extremely
solid and strong when worked. The surface has a dull-gray
almost black appearance. Unworked it is soft. When alloyed
it makes extremely hard weapons.
Asiceton
It is proof against fire and steel; steel shatters upon
asiceton, and whatever fires touch it are instantaneously
quenched. It has little strength of its own and is soft like
lead. However it may be poured over harder materials where
it becomes as hard as that which it covers.
Burning Ice
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In the wastes of black ice, where pressures of glaciers wear
upon the ice with tremendous force, deposits of burning ice
can be found. This ice looks white but burns spontaneously
in the air with a blue flame. Sealed it will resist burning.
If it is warmed, it will burn without air. It produces a
blue light and a cold fire that can burn with frostbite.
Instead of smoke, it produces heavy white water mist that
falls to the floor rather than rising like smoke. It can be
used to cold forge special weapons like those made of Laen.
Cavorite
Cavorite is impervious to gravity and can shield other
materials from its effects. It is used to shield a craft
from Earth's pull, allowing easy flight. It was named after
its discoverer, Dr Cavor, who used its levitational
properties to travel to the Moon. It also coats Martian
flying machines, although, it is referred to as a "gravity-
blocking substance", and not Cavorite.
Swainsten or Swainstenium is a meteoric substance that
repels from gravity. It is most certainly Cavorite. It is
from Fu Manchu campaigns or others.
Celebrang
An alloy of Ang (iron), Gloin (carbon), manganese and
nickel. It's stronger than Low-steel, and very springy. This
is a common real material rather than a fantasy material but
is included here for completeness of terminology.
Ceramalloy
In future Gamma Tera campaigns, it is a high tech alloy of
steel and plastic in a ceramic form for use as concrete.
Cinnabryl
A glowing red magical metal that temporarily halts the Red
Curse created by vermeil. Depleted cinnabryl is called red
steel, and is used for weaponry and armour.
Cleaver Metal
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Cleaver Metal is a future Gamma Tera metal that "heals"
itself like wounded skin. It can do so indefinitely. It
heals at varying rates depending on its construction.
Cold Iron
This iron, mined deep underground, known for its
effectiveness against fey creatures, is forged at a lower
temperature to preserve its delicate properties.
Collapsium
Collapsium is described as collapsed star material or
neutron star in a very thin coating. Even Hard Galvorn is
not this dense. It is from various far future settings
including The Morrow Project.
Cortosis
Cortosis ore was a very rare, brittle, fibrous material
whose conductive properties caused lightsabers to
temporarily short out upon contact, although the wielder
could solve this problem by turning the blade back on after
a few minutes. This effect made cortosis a useful material
for anti-lightsaber melee weapons, though with repeated
strikes, a lightsaber could still cut through it. Cortosis,
due to its heat and energy resistant properties, was also
resistant to blaster fire and thus used in armor,
fortresses, and star destroyer hulls. It had several forms.
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Crystal Shell Material -- see Galvorn.
Darkwood
A hard wood that is nevertheless very light (from 3rd
edition AD&D). It also takes enchantment very easily.
Deep Crystal
Deep crystal is crystal of above-average quality found at
the hearts of large veins or deposits of mundane crystal
(from 3.5 edition AD&D). Deep crystal is renowned for its
strength and its psionically resonant nature. Deep crystal
is used for many items of psionic manufacture, such as
dorjes, power stones, and psicrystals.
Any weapon made of deep crystal costs 1,000 gp more than its
noncrystal counterpart. Any item could potentially be made
out of deep crystal. Because deep crystal armor is
considered to be made out of metal, druids cannot wear it.
Dilithium
Dilithium crystals are very rare in Star Trek settings and
the crystals can store and direct energy. When properly cut,
they can direct massive amounts of energy. In magic based
worlds, they might be useless baubles, or catalysts of
tremendous power. Trilithium is another form of the crystal
that is highly unstable and can stop all the fusion in a
star. Trilithium has no practical (non-weapon) use.
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Dramadine
Dramadine appears in two forms blue-green (feminine) and
red-purple (masculine). There is no difference in their
function other than having two or more red crystals or two
or more blue crystals offers no benefit. However, one of
each join to form a red-blue shimmering to green-purple
crystal that has vastly enhanced powers. Multiple joined
crystals offer no extra benefits.
Duracrete
In future Gamma Tera campaigns, Duracrete is a liquid or dry
mix duro-concrete made from a special cement mixture and
Duralloy particles. It sets rapidly and is usually shaped by
force shield forms as it bonds to any other form (mold)
permanently. It has more heat resistant properties and
radiation resistant properties than Duralloy alone. Also all
force directed against it is directed outward at 90 degrees
such that flaking of the outer surface occurs in layers.
There is never any spawling on the interior surface. It
must, therefore, be blasted through in stages.
Dura-cerment
Mixing hard particles like diamonds or Boron Carbide
crystals as fill and powered Aluminum binder and baking at
high temperature produces a ceramic cement, hence cerment.
In future Gamma Tera campaigns, Dura-cerment is a cerment
based on this idea using Duralloy as the binder and other
various crystals as the fill. It is completely resistant to
laser torch cutting (which usually can cut Duralloy) and
strongly resists even Thorium fusion torch cutting.
Normally, even Duralloy falls under a fusion torch, but
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Dura-cerment can resist for long periods, thus exposing the
torch operator to high levels of radiation.
Duralex
In future campaigns, this is a super strong rubber-like
material made with some Duralloy.
Duralon
In future campaigns, this is a super strong rope and fiber
made with Duralloy filaments.
Duro-demi-diamond-plus
In future Gamma Tera campaigns, this is the hardest plastic
armor made from some amounts of Duralloy. It is a metal
plastic alloy. It does not have the heat resistance of true
Duralloy but is tougher.
Duro-demi-diamond-plus Concrete
In future Gamma Tera campaigns, this is the hardest material
known. It is made from Collapsium, Duro-demi-diamond-plus,
and Duralloy particles and fibers. It is a cerment
(ceramic cement) made from metal plastic alloys and
Duralloy.
Ectoplasm
Ectoplasm is a psionic/magical substance formed by the power
of the mind. It forms the bodies of ghosts and other magical
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creatures, as well as many magically substances. It is much
like a gray vapor but can be as hard as Adamantine steel. In
harder forms, it is often a neutral gray color.
Eternal Ice
In the cold wastes where the pressures of glaciers wear upon
the ice, deposits of Eternal or Hard Ice can be found. This
ice is incredibly hard and can be cut/forged into sharp
weapons. It resists heat much better than ice, taking years
to melt, but non-magical weapons made of Eternal Ice will
eventually melt in warm climes, unless treated with powerful
magics.
Etherstuff
Ether is an insubstantial gray and luminous mist similar to
Ectoplasm. Like Ectoplasm, harder, denser islands of it form
in the Etheric Plane where it is found. It can also manifest
in the etheric bodies of certain magical beings.
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First Trees. The first trees of the elves were the white wood
trees of the moon and the yellow wood trees of the dawn.
First wood made from the first trees always can heal itself
even though long cut. A 1,000 year old spear that breaks can
be set together and "healed" by itself. Red wood trees of
the twilight also existed as well as corrupted black wood
trees of the night. All the first trees are now gone (at
least from Greyhawk). Remaining wood stocks or weapon hafts,
and bows, are treated as relics. [Fred Haskell]
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(hardness 30, 60 HP per inch). Galvorn is worth 1 oz.=
1000gp.
Glasteel
Glasteel can be any glass or crystal that has had glasteel
cast on it and made permanent. Obsidian, glass, leaded
crystal, quartz, diamond, and other gemstones can be made
this way. Once turned into Glasteel, the glass (or other
clear material) can be pounded like steel. It is soft and
can be forged. Sonics effect it like metal as well. However,
it retains its original melting point. Therefore, diamond or
quartz Glasteel is better to have.
Gravwood
Gravwood is similar to Liftwood but does not repel gravity.
It is simply not effected at all by gravity. It is a dense
hardwood that can be used to build levitating spelljammers
or other ships. It grows in wildspace around a gas nebula.
(from the web by Scott McCarroll)
Harpsteel
Is a metal which resonates with anything it strikes, and
which adds a small bit of sound damage. An armor-buster, if
you use it right. The Singing Sword (Gram) was made with
this metal and a handle of Rhinegold.
Hithlane Rope
Hithlane is a rare vine that Elves can make into an
incredibly strong and lightweight rope.
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Ithildin is a decorative silver metal that glows when
exposed to moonlight. In the light, it appears as normal
silver. It is often used to inlay magic runes or writings in
weapons.
Javednite
This is the fantasy name for uranium. This is a common real
material rather than a fantasy material but is included here
for completeness of terminology.
Kaiburr Crystal
Kaiburr crystal is a very rare light blue crystal attuned to
the Force and used in lightsabers. However, just holding or
being near the crystal enhances one's ability to heal using
the Force and magnifies one's Force power. These crystals
are found in Star Wars campaigns.
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Also known as "True-glass" by many, the elven name Laen
refers to the incredibly long crystal lattice structure,
allowing for the strength of the material. Laen is an
extremely hard volcanic glass which can be forged into
incredibly keen almost indestructible weapons. Of course,
this does not explain the bizarre property of Laen: it gains
strength and rigidity with heat. Only by chilling to
temperatures beyond cold can it be smelted or forged.
Natural Laen is usually black or smoky, but it can be
smelted clear and tinted any number of transparent colors.
As a result it is often mistaken for Glasteel, or when
colored, Glasteel Ruby, Emerald, etc. Laen is also a popular
medium for magical devices such as enchanted lenses and
jewels. Laen is found in its pure form, there is no
refinement required.
Liftwood
In Space 1889 settings, it is a wood that grows on Mars and
repels gravity.
Liquid Metal
In future Gamma Tera settings, it is a hard material that
becomes liquid and reforms into other objects. A coffee mug
could become a remote control. Computer controlled Liquid
Metal is called Mimetic Polyalloy and can change into many
forms (not just one to another) and even be made into
chameleon robots.
Lumashella
This is also called Fire Marble. It is a stone from
Forgotten Realms that is brown with small, iridescent opal-
like snails, and weighs about 160 pounds per cubic foot. It
has the natural property of blocking teleportation, as well
as resisting dimensional movement. So it can block etheric
or astral travel or scrying into or out of a room made of
it.
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Mestare Crystal
Mestare Crystal is a fairly rare clear crystal attuned to
the Force and used in lightsabers. However, lightsabers
using this crystal at the core become curved, like a katana.
All Mestare lightsabers are resistant to the effects of
shorting out when hitting Cortosis. These crystals are found
in Star Wars campaigns.
Metallica
Metallica is true Mercury. An unfortunate side-effect of
Metallica is that it disturbs mental processes in its
presence and drives most creatures insane. The process of
construction is not difficult but is seldom practiced.
Metallica is generally a liquid but, in the presence of a
magical field can be made rigid. This is sometimes known as
"Fixated Mercury," or "Fixed Mercury." Fixed Mercury is
known as Silvervein. Silvervein is the rigid form of true
Mercury. It is used for magic items, especially those
affecting the mind or involving contrary or reversing magic.
Melange
Melange is the spice from Duneworld settings. It has
psychogenic properties and the ability to lengthen
lifespans. The Waters of Life are the converted form of the
highly concentrated melange produced from dying sandworms.
Mindex
A brilliant silver metal that conducts mental energy the way
copper conducts electricity. It is soft and brittle.
Mindwood
Mindwood is one component commonly used by the Arcane in
(space) helm construction. It is a softwood that grows in a
handful of very remote spheres. It has the effect of
enhancing mind-affecting spells, granting a +2
circumstantial bonus to the difficulty check of all spells
and effects that require a will save (2nd edition: -2
penalty to all saves vs. spell).
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was called mithral, for copyright issues.) More importantly,
it alloys with other metals to produce unique enchanted
metals of incomparable quality. Whenever one travels to
where Mithril is known, it is considered the richest of
metals. Mithril is loved above all materials by dwarves. It
is also treasured by elves, humans, and most other
intelligent races. Mithril is worth 1 oz.= 300gp.
Mithril (Duralloy)
Duralloy is from future Gamma Tera campaigns and is the same
thing as Mithril. It has a density of 0.009238 grams/cubic
centimeter but is stronger than titanium. It will float on
water at this density. In these campaigns, it can also have
a liquid form that hardens into Duralloy. It also has a
clear form known as Duraglass, which is as hard as Duralloy
and has the same properties. It too has a liquid Duraglass
form.
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Trinium, 10 times the strength of steel and one-tenth the
weight is from the SG1 Universe. It is also a form of
Mithril/Duralloy.
Moonsilver
Also known as lunargent, moonsilver is considered by the
Lunar Exalted to be a gift from their patron, the moon
goddess. It must be harvested by moonlight, using no crafted
tools, forged at night and cooled only with water that has
never seen the sun. Swords made of moonsilver are more
accurate, bows shoot farther and armor is much lighter. Like
the protean Lunars, moonsilver can shift into new forms
easily.
Mortiswood
Wood from a tree,or gallows where criminals were hung. It is
used in dark magics and Necromancy.
Naquadah
It is an extremely useful metal used across the SG1
Universe. Stargates are composed of it and most Goa'uld
technology utilizes it. It is the sole metal able to store
enough energy and withstand its release to create a
wormhole. The metal is so important that many planets' sole
task is to mine it, as was the case on Abydos. The SGC uses
liquid naquadah in the form of a reactor to create large
amounts of energy in a portable format for weapons. It can
also be used as a nuclear booster for explosives. Naquadria
is a highly concentrated and explosive form of Naquadah used
for powerful bombs and for the reactors of Stardrives of the
SGC. It is found only on one planet.
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density or even Duralloy given its ability to absorb energy.
However, it can be mined and is not mentioned as very hard,
only dense and energy absorbent, which would not be like
either Collapsium or Duralloy. It is most likely a form of
Naquadah, as Naquadah can hold enough energy to operate a
stardrive or open a wormhole and yet remain intact. Naquadah
is also not noted as being incredibly hard, just like
Duranium, but it is very energy absorbant. The two seem to
be the same.
Nobelite
This is a fantasy form of dynamite, per Gary Gygaxs early
campaign notes.
Ogamur
An enchanted alloy, Ogamur remains surprisingly springy and
flexible when drawn into wire - it's used to make metal
fabric, bowstrings, springs, and the like.
Pearlsteel
A strange metal crafted by secretive aventi metallurgists
working near volcanic vents on the ocean floor, pearlsteel
is gleaming, shining steel covered with a blue-white sheen
like mother of pearl. Created from fine steel and rare
silvery pearls found only in the ocean depths where the
pressures alone would kill a land walker, pearlsteel is
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highly prized by all undersea races and constitutes a major
trade item for the aventi.
Phlogiston
Phlogiston is an insubstantial and semi-luminous mist that
exists outside the crystal spheres of the planes. It is
somewhat yellow in color but appears to form a rainbow ocean
of sorts when viewed from a distance. It is also EXTREMELY
flammable to the point of being explosive. It is very
penetrating and can find its way into most any container, so
shielding the touch of open flame from it is almost an
impossible task on a spelljamming vessel. It CANNOT exist
for any length of time inside a crystal sphere, at least not
a closed sphere. The results of a fire body contacting the
phlogiston when a sphere is not closed, such as a broken
sphere, are too terrible to contemplate. Its properties are
unaffected by anti-magic rays, anti-magic spheres,
Sargassos, or even magic dead areas.
Phrik
Phrik is a dull gray lightsaber (blaster) resistant alloy
used in armor and found in Star Wars campaigns.
Plasteel (Crysteel)
In future Gamma Tera campaigns, it is a high tech alloy of
steel and plastic. Crysteel is a similar clear material. It
is very strong, but very light. Both Plasteel and Crysteel
can come in liquid forms that can harden into the true
material.
Pontite Crystal
Pontite Crystals are the rarest and most powerful type of
Adegan (from Adegan) lightsaber crystals followed by Mephite
and then Kathracite (all three are clear). Relacite and then
Danite were weaker blue crystals with the weakest and most
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common being green Ilum crystals (from Ilum). These are
found in Star Wars campaigns.
Purple Diamond
Naturally occurring purple diamond is so rare originally
only one was found. It is an actual real world material.
Qixoni Crystal
Qixoni Crystal is an exceedingly rare red crystal attuned to
the Force and used in lightsabers. However, just holding or
being near the crystal enhances one's Force ability. These
crystals were primarily used by the Sith but were not
unknown to Jedi. These crystals are found in Star Wars
campaigns.
Rare Earths
The gathered multi-colored salts of alchemy. They contain
and act as a channel for the alchemists will in making
alchemical items. When processed with great heat for a long
time, a deep red element, Carmot, is revealed and is used in
the making of the Philosophers Stone.
Replicon
In future Gamma Tera campaigns, this substance can duplicate
itself or rather reproduce. It is a nanite (micro-robot)
based material that absorbs silicon and other materials from
the surrounding environment and builds as needed to repair
itself. Unlike Cleaver Metal, which only "heals," or Liquid
Metal, which only changes form, and not volume, Replicon can
replace intricate parts of itself or "grow."
Raime' crystals are from The Star Wars universe and act like
piezoelectric crystals but instead of converting mechanical
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and electrical energy back and forth, they convert the
Force.
Risochist
It is a magical creation as hard as diamond and clear as
water. When broken or destroyed it dissipates. It is a
product of ancient Suel magic. It is from Gygax's Gord
books. It is as heavy as quartz.
Rodinium
Rodinium is an alloyed substance from Star Trek settings. It
is an alloy that is, most likely, a laminant containing rods
or strings of diamond or a Duralloy-like material.
Shadowsteel
Shadowsteel is made of shadow stuff from the Plane of
Shadow. It has the same properties as Adamantite but only
has its maximum power in shadow (or in the Plane of Shadow).
In daylight or darkness its powers are diminished, but not
lost. It is also lighter than Adamantite or Adamantine
Steel. It is as light as Mithril but still as strong as pure
Adamantite, at least when in full shadow.
Slowglass
This is sn extremely rare gemstone that resembles pale
yellow glass. In its polished state it records all light and
images coming at its outward face and by being held and
concentrating it reveals what has passed for the last
fourteen days. There is no front of back. Each side reveals
what transpired opposite its facing. So the front of a stone
on a necklace would only show a lady's chest skin for the
last two weeks, while the back would show all she had seen.
The sides would reveal likewise in 360. As such it is never
mounted in a backed setting. When broken, slowglass creates
a 20' radius field of slowtime that lasts about 30 minutes
but only 2 seconds inside the field. The value is 2,000
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times that of white diamond, carat per carat. [Greyhawk Classics
Books]
Smoke Powder
Smoke Powder is a magical form of gun powder that works in
Wildspace. The formula is as for gun powder (sulfur, willow
wood charcoal, and potassium chloride or ammonium chloride)
combined with a dram of alchemical rare earths.
Soulmetal
From The Demonweb Pits module (AD&D 1st ed.), it is
described as a gold color like polished brass that upon
reflection is a clear substance with thousands of soul faces
pushing on it as on a flat surface. This requires close
inspection as the faces are very small. The surface appears
to move with the faces or shimmer at a distance, but is
smooth, gold and unmoving. It is VERY hard, as hard as
Adamantite, but it has the affinity for magic of orichalcum.
It can only be forged in the outer planes. It has a weight
similar to steel and is EXTREMELY slippery, almost
frictionless, even greasy feeling.
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Bonds forged out of Sternenstahl will prevent a sorcerer
from casting spells. There are surely other possibilities.
It is a very valuable metal from an Elric setting.
Stygium Crystal
Stygium Crystal is a very rare clear crystal with silver
rutilations that help channel the Force. The crystals are
attuned to the Force and used in lightsabers. However, just
holding or being near the crystal enhances one's ability to
become invisible and any other Force stealth abilities like
moving silently or clouding others minds with obfuscation
(seeing the Jedi everywhere and nowhere, disappearing into
the crowd). These powers are magnified even more when the
crystal is cut, focused, and placed in a lightsaber. These
crystals are found in Star Wars campaigns.
Substare
Substare is an ancient and extremely rare material that is
black and crystalline. It is as hard as Adamantite. It is an
alloy forged by being woven with and bonded by psionic
powers (from 3rd edition), forged of the mind, not of fire.
It is, literally, vacuum squeezed and compressed in to a
solid. The process and physics behind this are too
complicated for any but an entity with an intelligence of 24
to understand. Substare is almost weightless, has very
little inertia, and is incredibly resilient. A 10 foot thick
layer will resist Disintigration virtually all of the time
(Fort save +30) and has a hardness of 100, with 10000 hit
points.
Tantulhor
It is a fiery red metal, about the weight of iron. It can be
worked into a smooth finish and said to make a weapon
unbreakable. Weapon blades fashioned of it will cut nearly
anything they touch, except stone. In game terms, a
tantulhor edged weapon scores +2 damage. This metal is found
only in the Nine Hells. When tantulhor is crafted in
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diabolic magic forges, it hardens greatly and gives items
three times the hardness of iron and twice the durability.
Tasarang
An enchanted white ore, Tasarang is springy, but doesn't
stretch so cannot be made into good wires. It is used to
make excellent bows.
Tilkal
The chain with which Melkor/Morgoth was wrapped in the war
of the Gods was made of Tilkal. Aul smithied the chain of
six different metals (copper, silver, tin, lead, iron, and
gold). The metal he had blended of these he called Tilkal.
The color of Tilkal was bright green or red in varying
lights; it had all the properties of the six metals and
several of its own. It was a substance of uttermost
hardness, brightness and smoothness and only Aul could
forge it. The chain was named Angainor, "the oppressor," and
manacles called Vorotemnar, "that binds forever," and
fetters named Ilterindi, "that might not be filed or cleft."
Tilkal is very specifically a Lord of the Rings setting
material. ["Behold, Aul now gathered six metals, copper,
silver, tin, lead, iron, and gold, and taking a portion of
each made with his magic a seventh which he named therefore
tilkal, and this had all the properties of the six and many
of its own. It's colour was bright green or red in varying
lights and it could not be broken, and Aul alone could
forge it. Thereafter he forged a mighty chain, making of it
all seven metals welded with spells to a substance of
uttermost hardness and brightness and smoothness, but of
tilkal he had not sufficient to add more than a little to
each link. Nonetheless he made two manacles of tilkal only
and four fetters likewise. Now the chain was named Angainor,
the oppressor, and the manacles Vorotemnar that bind for
ever, but the fetters Ilterendi for they might not be filed
or cleft."
The Book of Lost Tales 1, Chapter IV, "The Chaining of
Melko"]
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Although, the chain Againor was broken it was only part
tilkal. In any case tilkal would seem to the hardest
material possible, even harder than Galvorn or Adamantite.
It is extremely heavy and is probably magnetic. It is so
rare as to be mythical even in a fantasy setting.
Tumkeoite
Tumkeoite (besides being named for Tom Keoit) is the
radioactive substance that lights the Underdark of the Drow
Homeland. Pieces of it are used in arcane Drow magic items
and in Drow Spelljammers. It decays into Lakofcite.
Uru
Uru is Asgardian metal. It has powerful etheric and
spiritual properties that allow it to transfer its user's
energy into itself. A sword or hammer made of Uru can absorb
the power of its wielder and become more powerful in battle.
The hammer of Thor, Mjolnir, and the spear of Odin, Gungnir,
were made of Uru. The hilt of the sword Gram was also of
this material. It is also known as Rhinegold or Aurum (true
gold). It is the highest stage of refined gold and is also
called Ophir, by the Dwarves.
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