Special Materials

At the request of High Scribe Fayruz Blue-Ink, I, Caydis of the Loamy Cliffs, have written down what I know of common materials used in the fabrication of weapons and armor throughout Amlöst, as well as some of the rarer materials used.

Common Hides
Leather used to make armor is usually taken from the bodies of cows, and sometimes horses and lions. Thu Varans use camels and lions, while Asgardians and the people of Eald favor bears and wolves.

Rare Hides
The hides of great beasts such as rhinoceri, elephants and their relations, and alligators and crocodiles are somewhat more difficult to work with than those of more common animals, and are likely to cost more.

Dinosaurs: Dinosaur hide is some of the best* material one can hope to find when it comes to crafting leather and hide armors, or armors with said components.

* - Add a damage reduction rating or otherwise reduce damage taken from physical blows by 1 to 3; increase price by 500 gold coins.

Dragons: Dragon hides are highly valued by dwarves for their armor-like properties, and with proper treatment can be made into almost any armor.

Salamander Scales: w

w

Other Creatures: There are too many beasts from this world and others to use in armor to list! I have seen some warriors in harnesses of leather made out of the hides of chimaerae, while others have been spotted wearing that made out of griffons and pegasi. Unfortunately, I have also heard rumors of leatherworkers who use the hides of humans, elves, and even nymphs and dwarves; fortunately, these require enchantments to be able to take any blows.

The skin of cyclopes is said to prevent the wearer from succumbing to cold* weather.

* - Reduce cold damage taken while wearing this by 5; increase price by x gold coins.

Common Metals
Despite being (relatively) easier to find, these metals have magical properties that aid craftsmen with magical powers when ensorcelling their creations. All metals cease rusting when enchanted, and any rusting that has occurred will be reversed. Copper: Copper is best used in enchanted armor and weaponry, as it is not as well-behaved as other metals, and tends to rust very easily unless magic is used. When magic is used, it absorbs magical energies very easily*.

* - Enchantments put into metal items using copper aside from "plusses" or "minuses" cost 5% less to create.

Bronze: In the most ancient of times, humans are said to have used armor of bronze. While beautiful, it is a poor protective material* and best used enchanted.

* - Non-magical bronze armors have a protective value of 1 unit less.

Silver: Silver is the ideal metal for items that store magical energy for short periods of time, as well as those that work in tandem with the spiritual alignments of their wielders.

''* - Enchantments put into metal items using silver that deal with alignments, or negative energy cost 10% less to create. Items that store spells for short periods of time - like swords of spell storing - cost 5% less to create.''

Gold: Despite its beauty, gold is seldom used in enchanted suits of armor or weapons, instead being used in jewelry. Craftsmen hoping to fabricate devices that aid those who channel the energies of the gods benefit the most from this metal, as it is said to come from the Sun. Whether or not this is true, I can not dispute this.

* - Enchantments put into metal items using gold that deal with turning undead or divine magics cost 10% less to create.

Platinum: Platinum is valued by diviners and the clergy of Listria, as it seems to be almost "attuned" to the truth and knowledge*.

* - Enchantments put into metal items using platinum that deal with increases to mental statistics and checks cost 10% less to create; crystal balls built into enchanted platinum bases and divining devices such as mirrors utilizing enchanted platinum have a much greater chance of working.

Rare Metals
Abarun: Abarun is a metal found in the World of Air, and places "close" to it. It is light and has a white sheen. When treated properly, it has the properties of steel but retains its lightness and does not rust.

Abarun functions as mithral.

Cosmic Steel: Cosmic steel is an exceptionally rare metal sometimes found in rocks that fall from the sky. It is hard, but weighs just as much as iron and in its natural state has the same color as oxidized copper; fortunately for those who dislike the color green, it is extremely receptive to dyes.

''Cosmic Steel functions as adamantine. If failure chances are to be rolled when dyeing armor, forego this when using Cosmic Steel.''

Woods
Nandoo: Wood from the Nandoo trees common in the groves of the world spirits is denser than most normal woods, and sees use in armors worn by Druids. It can be sewn to leather backings and used to create scale, splint, or banded armors able to be worn by Druids without incurring the disfavor of their spirit allies. Weapons are also able to be made using this.

Nandoo wood'' has the same properties as steel, such as density and weight. Weapons made of it do not take penalties to hit or damage.''

Stones
Precious stones have always been thought to hold magical properties, but unless enchanted they are little more than pretty baubles. Some highly skilled craftsmen have crushed these stones and sprinkled them into heated metals while forging things; with the proper enchantments, these enhance the properties of the metal. Be warned, though, that this is a difficult procedure and only the greatest artisans in the world are able to do this on a regular basis.

''Blending metals and stones merely replaces the need for a spell if you are required to cast a spell into something in order to imbue it with magical power -- so ground Hematite would be useful for spellcasters who wish to make armor for warriors, while ground fluorite would aid spellcasters. It is up to each individual Game Master to look up the alleged mystical properties of gem stones.''

Other Materials
Craftsmen have, over the ages, found new materials to work with that add to, or enhance, the properties of their creations.

Gnome Tears: The rare tears of gnomes are useful in concoctions related to mining or the finding of treasures.

Nymph's Hair: Nymph hairs aid in the application of magic that involves breathing underwater, swimming, or beauty.

Salamander Blood: The blood of salamanders is a key component in many flaming weapons.

Sylph Wing Dust: The wing dust of sylphs, given willingly, will aid in invisibility magics or those otherwise related to stealth and the air.