Mithral
Mithral is a rare and highly sought-after metal, known for its extraordinary combination of strength, lightness, and magical conductivity. It is a cornerstone material for crafting enchanted weapons, armor, and artifacts, prized by adventurers, smiths, and arcanists alike. Mithral's silvery-blue sheen and reflective surface give it an otherworldly appearance, while its physical properties make it invaluable in both mundane and magical applications.
Mithral is extracted from mithralite ore, a silvery-black mineral with faint blue veins that glow softly in the presence of magic. This ore is found deep underground, often in regions rich in geothermal or arcane activity, such as the Underdark or The Agriss Mountains. Extracting and refining mithral is a delicate process, requiring expertise in both mining and metallurgy. Raw mithralite is brittle and impure, but when refined, it transforms into a glistening metal renowned for its durability and flexibility.
Physically, mithral is lightweight, cool to the touch, and resistant to corrosion and environmental damage. Its density, approximately 10 g/cm³, gives it a unique balance of weight and strength, making it lighter than steel yet just as durable. Chemically, mithral is inert, impervious to acids, and non-flammable, retaining its structure even under extreme heat. These properties, combined with its receptiveness to enchantments, make mithral the ideal material for creating magical items.
The versatility of mithral extends to its use in alloys and compounds. It is commonly blended with other metals to create specialized materials, such as Elysiar alloy, a combination of mithral and Silver used in holy symbols and enchanted tools, or Arcanium steel, a mithral-steel alloy for lightweight and resilient weapons. Mithral can also be magically fused with Quartz to produce mithralite crystals, used as power sources for arcane constructs and devices. Even powdered mithral has applications, serving as a stabilizing agent in potions or a component in spellcasting.
Mithral’s rarity and unique properties make it a symbol of wealth and craftsmanship. Found only in perilous environments and difficult to mine, its acquisition often requires great effort and expertise. Legends abound of vast mithral veins guarded by elemental beings or buried in forgotten ruins. As a result, items made from mithral are not only functional but also prestigious, representing the pinnacle of material and magical craftsmanship.
Whether forged into a suit of lightweight armor, a finely balanced blade, or a magically charged artifact, mithral remains a treasure of unmatched value in both mundane and magical circles. Its enduring stability and timeless beauty ensure that mithral will forever be a cornerstone of crafting in Aerith and beyond.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Mithral is a gleaming, silvery-blue metal with a polished, mirror-like surface that reflects light with an almost ethereal shimmer. When forged, it appears smooth and flawless, exuding an otherworldly quality that suggests both elegance and resilience. In its raw ore form, mithral has a dull, silvery-black appearance, speckled with faint blue veins that seem to glow faintly under magical light. It is lightweight yet deceptively strong, cool to the touch, and feels slightly more pliable than steel before forging.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Mithral is lightweight, durable, and cool to the touch, even in extreme heat. It is non-flammable and highly resistant to corrosion, acids, and most other chemical reactions. Mithral’s unique magical conductivity allows it to easily bond with enchantments, making it an ideal material for crafting magical weapons, armor, and artifacts. Despite its strength, mithral is remarkably malleable when heated, allowing it to be forged into intricate designs without sacrificing durability. It retains its structural integrity under immense pressure and can withstand magical and physical stress far better than most metals.
Compounds
Mithral is a gleaming, silvery-blue metal prized for its combination of strength and lightness. When forged, it takes on a mirror-like finish that reflects light with an ethereal shimmer. In its raw state, mithral appears as silvery-black ore with faint, glowing blue veins that hint at its magical nature. It is cool to the touch and retains this property even under extreme conditions.
Mithral is non-flammable and highly resistant to corrosion and acids, making it one of the most durable materials known. Its lightweight structure belies its incredible strength, allowing it to be crafted into armor and weapons that are both practical and elegant. Mithral's malleability when heated enables artisans to forge intricate designs without compromising its durability. Its exceptional magical conductivity also makes it a preferred material for enchanting, amplifying the power and efficiency of spells imbued into it.
Found deep underground, mithral is extracted from rare veins in mineral-rich regions, often near areas suffused with magical energy. Once refined, it can be used in its pure form or alloyed with other substances. Elysiar alloy, a blend of mithral and silver, is used in holy symbols and enchanted tools, while Arcanium steel combines mithral with steel for lightweight, resilient weapons. Mithralite crystal, formed by fusing mithral with quartz, serves as a potent power source for magical devices. Even mithral dust has applications in alchemy, acting as a stabilizer in potions that enhance agility or reduce encumbrance.
With a density of approximately 10 g/cm³ and an atomic-like weight of 195 amu in magical terms, mithral balances strength with lightness, making it invaluable to smiths, wizards, and adventurers alike. Its rarity and versatility ensure that mithral remains one of the most sought-after materials in Aerith.
Geology & Geography
Mithral is most commonly found deep underground, embedded in veins of mithral ore within ancient mountain ranges and subterranean caverns. It is especially prevalent in regions where the earth has been infused with residual magical energy, such as the vast Underdark or the mineral-rich dwarven holds of the Agriss Mountains. These deposits often appear near geothermal activity or areas shaped by ancient cataclysmic events, where tectonic and arcane forces have intertwined.
The silvery-black ore of mithral is typically hidden in dense rock formations, requiring skilled miners to extract it. Mithral deposits are rare and often located in perilous environments inhabited by dangerous creatures, making its acquisition as challenging as its refinement. Some legends speak of entire veins of mithral buried within forgotten ruins or guarded by elemental creatures, reinforcing its reputation as a treasure of both the natural and magical worlds.
Origin & Source
Mithral is derived from mithralite ore, a silvery-black mineral with faint blue veins that glow softly under magical light. This ore forms in regions where arcane energy saturates the earth, typically deep underground or near areas of intense geothermal activity. The ore is soft and brittle in its raw state, requiring specialized refinement processes, often enhanced with magic, to extract the pure, glistening mithral metal. Some myths suggest that mithralite ore is created when fragments of fallen stars embed themselves in the earth, infusing the surrounding rock with celestial energy.
Life & Expiration
Mithral is exceptionally stable and shows no signs of natural decay or deterioration under normal conditions. It is immune to rust, corrosion, and other forms of environmental wear, allowing it to retain its strength and luster for millennia. When used as a vessel for magical energy, mithral can store and maintain enchantments indefinitely, provided the magic itself is not disrupted or dispelled. Its unique structure makes it an ideal material for crafting long-lasting enchanted artifacts, as the magical energy bound within mithral neither leaks nor weakens over time.
78Mi
195 amu
Type
Metamaterial
Value
Precious
Rarity
Very Rare (15.625 gp/Oz.)
Odor
Odorless in its natural and forged states
Taste
Tasteless
Color
Glistening silvery metal and silvery-blue when forged
Boiling / Condensation Point
2,800°C (5,072°F)
Melting / Freezing Point
1,400°C (2,552°F)
Density
10 g/cm³
Common State
Solid
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