Yullen-Tan Iron

Discovered ages ago by the wizard-smith Yullen-Tan from the ruined Empire of Tinn-Xhala, and afterwards named after him, Yullen-Tan iron is a rare type of ore found deep within the passages of the subterranean realm of Underdark mostly concentrated around the area of the continent of Karamtal, though veins of it can be found under other areas of the world as well.

It is renowned for its pliability for magical use and suffusion of enchantments when worked over. Even without applied enchantments, items made of Yullen-Tan iron emit a soft magenta glow that comes useful in the subterranean conditions where it is found.

Properties

Material Characteristics

In its raw form, Yullen-Tan iron chunks still maintain pieces of shiny dark grey of the granite it was mined from with veins of magenta that emits a faint glow. Once fully refined, the iron flakes become a vivid magenta colour and the glow and lustre coming from them seem to become more brilliant as a result. Smelted and worked over, the metal retains the colour and glow released in the flakes.

Compounds

The Main alloy to use Yullen-Tan iron is Yullen-Tan steel. It comes in various grades, however, in every case it makes the iron harder and more durable while imbuing it with greater flexibility. The Yullen-Tan steel is especially valued in the creation of weaponry, and the difficulty of creating it increases its value significantly.

Geology & Geography

Yullen-Tan iron is found deep in the earth, mainly in the underground caves of the Underdark. Main concentrations of the ore seem to be centred around the subterranean regions under the continent of Karamtal, though it is not too uncommon in other underground parts of the world as well.

Origin & Source

Yullen-Tan iron is found exclusively in Underdark granite, also known as deep granite.

History & Usage

Everyday use

Yullen-Tan iron and its steel alloys are mainly used in the creation of high-quality magic items, especially weaponry. However, underground cultures prize the metal for the creation of quality mining tools too, valuing its toughness and the soft glow it emits for use within their environment.

Refinement

Yullen-Tan iron that has been extracted into iron flakes from deep granite needs to be thrice smelted and purified. However, due to an extremely high melting point, mundane forges simply don't cut it. Therefore, the flames needed to smelt Yullen-Tan iron flakes must be either using extremely hot combustion, be magical in nature, or be a natural equivalent to dragon fire.

Manufacturing & Products

Due to its phenomenal properties when it comes to holding a magical enchantment, Yullen-Tan iron and steel make for perfect materials for magical weaponry. With limited quantities of the ore at any given time, forging great suits of armour from it is extremely difficult and costly, without providing much in the way of benefit or cost-effectiveness. In the Underdark where the ore is somewhat more readily available, it is commissioned in the creation of tools by veteran miners who can afford it as they can gain benefit from quality tools that also happen to be enchanted (most often picks, shovels, hammers, and hoes). But on the surface, items most often made are spear-heads, axe-heads, daggers, swords, maces and flails.

Distribution

Law & Regulation

Many kingdoms strictly regulate the influx of raw Yullen-Tan iron, as well as its refinement and trade of its produce. Some of the more extreme cases even require special permits to purchase and carry items made of it and its alloys.

by Javier Perez

Type

Metal

Value

Extraordinarily valuable

Rarity

Very rare

Color

Rich magenta

Melting / Freezing Point

Melts in hot magical flames and dragon fire.

Common State

Solid ore