Eskite

Description

One of the many reasons that Myr's military is rivaled only by the Dwarves of Reshyk is an exotic metal found only underneath Mount Valgar in Myr, which is close in proximity to Myr's Wellspring, and a small number of other mountains in northern Myr. This metal, called Eskite, has been compared to Shadesteel, as the two share many similar qualities. It is dark-blue in color with a high sheen.

Specifically, while Eskite lacks Shadesteel's durability and is not nearly as strong, its ability to resist magic is far more potent. However, its ability to resist magic isn't because it can't hold an enchantment, but because it consumes Flow. Eskite will actively consume Flow from the surrounding area, preventing spells from being cast. It effectively creates a dead zone similar to an anti-magic field. Additionally, Eskite is far more plentiful than Shadesteel. It is far from common, but not as rare as Shadesteel. The consumption of Flow also causes the Eskite to grow.

Whereas Shadesteel is harvested from Shadeberries, a metallic berry found on bushels in the mountains near Valensir, Eskite is mined in the traditional fashion from ore deposits underneath Mount Valgar. Because absorbing Flow causes Eskite to grow, Myrian soldiers who do battle with spellcasters occasionally have to break bits of Eskite off of their equipment, and can then collect the discarded Eskite to be used to forge other equipment. Myrmidons who have killed many spellcasters will have collected quite a bit of Eskite from the Eskite scraps grown from the absorbed spells of their enemies, which they will have forged into equipment for their children. This is considered a great honor. Only noblemen and royalty can afford armor made of Eskite. Due to its inferior durability, it is used specifically to protect from magic. While the average soldier can procure a buckler reinforced with Eskite, royalty may have underlayments beneath their armor to protect from spells. Although Eskite armor provides good protection from magic, those who do not pay attention to the growth of their armor may find themselves trapped inside of it if the growth causes pieces of the armor to fuse together.

Eskite is also believed to never deteriorate. Unlike iron, which rusts and can become brittle and useless, Eskite seems to retain its form permanently. This has not been proven, as Eskite was only discovered in the year 717 RK, just over two thousand years ago, but the Rathmore Empire is in possession of weaponry and armor that they claim dates back to the discovery of the metal, and they appear brand new. The few blacksmiths who have been fortunate enough to lay eyes on these ancient pieces seem to agree that the style and form of these weapons and armor matches what would have been in use in Myr at the time. But in any case, it is an extremely long-lived metal.

D&D 5e Mechanics

In terms of game mechanics in D&D 5th Edition, having a shield or armor made of Eskite or using Eskite powder as a flux in forging the armor gives it the ability to absorb a certain number of spell levels before it becomes saturated, at which point, if it is targeted by further spells, it has a chance to cause the Eskite to overload and dangerously discharge the Flow energy to the nearby area. Once an overload happens, there is a small chance for the equipment to break, requiring repair. Armor made from Eskite will absorb more spell levels than a shield will because it contains more Eskite.

Once Eskite becomes saturated, it takes roughly 1 day for it to "digest" the Flow, causing the Eskite to grow and allowing it to consume Flow again.

Here are guidelines for the spell absorption effect, overload chance, and chance to break for small objects, shields, and armor made of pure Eskite. To avoid an overload, you must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw.

• Rings, Bracelets, Amulets - Absorbs up to 5 spell levels. There is a 30% chance of overload and a 15% chance to break when it does. Shockwave deals 1d8 Force damage.
• Shields - Absorbs up to 10 spell levels. There is a 20% chance of overload and a 10% chance to break when it does. Shockwave deals 2d8 Force damage.
• Armor - Absorbs up to 15 spell levels. There is a 10% chance to overload and a 5% chance to break when it does. Shockwave deals 3d8 Force damage.

Alternatively, if you want to use Eskite powder as a flux to save on costs and potentially gain the benefits of another metal, the effects of the Eskite will be reduced. To avoid an overload, you must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw.

• Rings, Bracelets, Amulets - Absorbs up to 2 spell levels. There is a 20% chance of overload and 10% chance to break when it does. Shockwave deals 1d4 Force damage.
• Shields - Absorbs up to 5 spell levels. There is a 15% chance to overload and a 7% chance to break when it does. Shockwave deals 2d4 Force damage.
• Armor - Absorbs up to 8 spell levels. There is a 10% chance to overload and a 5% chance to break when it does. Shockwave deals 3d4 Force damage.

If your equipment is broken as the result of an overload, a blacksmith who is familiar with Eskite can repair it for a fraction of the item's original cost. The time it takes and the cost is shown below.

For pure Eskite items, it will cost 40% of the item's original cost and take:

• Rings, Bracelets, Amulets - 1 day to repair
• Shields - 2 days to repair
• Armor - 3 days to repair

For powdered Eskite items, it will cost 20% of the item's original cost and take:

• Rings, Bracelets, Amulets - half a day to repair
• Shields - 1 day to repair
• Armor - 2 days to repair

The amount of Eskite grown when it absorbs Flow isn't much, but adds up over time. The growth can be expressed as roughly 1 ore per 25 spell levels consumed. If the excess growth is not broken off of your equipment, it can increase its weight, and in the case of armor, make it difficult to move or even fuse pieces of the armor together.

Economy

Eskite is sold as raw ore, ingots, or powder. The powder is a cheaper alternative to forging something out of the metal because it can be used as a flux in another metal. This results in a less potent effect, but it can still provide some protection from magic. The average price of these three forms of the metal in shops around Aellorah are:

• Ore - 75 gp / each
• Ingot - 225 gp / each
• Powder (pouch) - 100 gp

Usage

Beyond its ability to be used as armor or shields to protect against spellcasting, its ability to absorb Flow means it can be used to make shackles or prisons for spellcasters. Shackles will feed on the Flow around the spellcaster, preventing them from being able to draw any in to fuel their spells. A prison lined with Eskite powder in the masonry would effectively do the same thing, but much more securely. The shackles have a limited area, and once removed, all the spellcaster has to do is get out of their limited range.

Eskite will even feed on the Flow in Dwarven Flow Cells, though if a spellcaster were to somehow procure such a thing while in Eskite shackles, the vast amount of Flow stored in these cells would be enough that the spellcaster could free themselves before its Flow reserve dries up.

Type

Metal