Szhengo steel

Szhengo steel is forged using a unique folding technique, making it uniquely resilient. It has a marbled appearence.
The metal is folded unto itself over a thousand times, ensuring an exceptionally tough blade. Only the elite can ever afford a szhengo weapon, as its price is at least 40 times higher than its standard cost. A katana for example, would cost 1,000 gp instead of 25 gp. A szhengo weapon does not suffer from corrosion by acid or other means, like from the black pudding’s corrosive form feature. Szhengo weapons are often heirlooms that are passed down from generation to generation. They are adorned beautifully, and typically have symbols carved into them conveying the values or accomplishments of its owner or family. It is a great honor to wield a szhengo weapon, and it inspires awe everywhere in the Orient. Wielding a szhengo weapon might even grant the wielder access to places otherwise closed to the public, like a clan leader’s residence, an ancient temple, or similar.