Materials

Metals, Non-magic

Adamantine

Adamantine is the strongest and hardest metal in the world. It is most often located in veins at the nadir of very old mountain ranges— what the dwarves call the “valleys.” Adamantine is most often fashioned into armor, as it can withstand tremendous blows. It otherwise has the same weight as normal iron. Mechanically, adamantine armor negates critical hits. It is usually only forged by dwarves or giants, though some other blacksmiths are able to work with it.

Coldiron

Coldiron is iron that has been fortified in supernatural ways. For example, leaving a dagger in a mysterious graveyard over three full moons can potentially turn the iron into coldiron, but only if the iron in the dagger is “pure,” i.e. not an alloy or full of impurities. Coldiron is toxic to fey creatures and undead spirits. Mechanically, it deals double damage to fey and undead spirits (ghosts, banshees, etc) and deals an extra 1d6 cold damage to everything else. Elves dislike the feel of coldiron and are not likely to fight with coldiron weapons.

Crimson Ore

Crimson ore is a metal prized by drow in the Underdark. Despite its name it is a very dark red, almost black color. It has similar capabilities to orichalcum (high magic enchantment) but is also a great conductor of heat. Its main drawback is that it corrodes quickly under sunlight. The duergar mine crimson ore in a partnership with the drow. The drow use it to create and power their sleek black airships.

Silver

Silver is silver. Some creatures can only be harmed by silver, hence why I’m putting it here.

Metals, Magic

Magic metals are extremely rare in Avo. Their raw ore form can only be touched by dwarves, who have a natural resistance to poison. The quintessence within these metals is deadly poisonous to all other beings, and touching them will cause the creature to catch “iron rot,” a magical disease that cannot be cured by anything less than a greater restoration or wish spell. If contracted by elves, even a greater restoration spell will not work. Iron rot spreads through the body and is incredibly painful. It kills within 2-3 months. Some believe that sorcerers who practice wild magic are people who are somehow partially immune or resistant to iron rot.

Mithril

The best known of the magic metals, mithril is also the most abundant (though still very rare). It is an incredibly light metal which is often fashioned into armor, as its light weight tends to throw weapons off balance. Dwarves also make lots of decorative items out of mithril.

Orichalcum

Orichalcum is a bluish-green metal that is suffused with arcane essence. It is highly sought after by arcanists as it is easily malleable by magic means, and can be enchanted with almost no effort. Enchanting it can change the color. Most major artifacts and items of the +3 variety were made out of orichalcum.

Wood

Cardwood

The Cardwood of Morentar is sought after for its thin, flexible bark, which is used to make playing cards. The sap of cardwood is used to make shuff, a highly hallucinogenic drug.

Darkwood

Darkwood is a stronger and flame-resistant wood found in various small groves throughout Avo, but most prominently as the Dyomedean in Phynsia. It is most often used in shields, though more practically it has been used in the foundations of homes for people who have the money to afford it.

Mushwood

Mushwood is wood made from the stems of mushroom trees in the Underdark. It is a very strong and flexible wood but decays quickly in sunlight.

Whitewood

The whitewood of Phynsia has medicinal properties within its bark. It is considered an offshoot of darkwood that may have been enhanced by the Fog.

Other

Obsidian

Obsidian is a black glass formed by intense heat and pressure, typically from volcanoes. It is incredibly sharp, but very brittle. Weapons made with obsidian deal an additional die of damage, but break if the wielder rolls a natural 1 on an attack roll.