Mithril

"If you were to offer my rewards in pounds of mithril or pounds of gold, I would gladly take the mithril. If only because I could find more use for it, and I know a fellow who can make me something interesting with it."

— Rhennik Sunderglyph, Dwarven Adventurer

Mithril is a valuable metallic alloy developed independently through two different cultures, and since its development it has reached the point where it is seen fairly readily. Dwarves refer to it as "true-silver" from time to time, and many of their high-quality tools are made with mithril pieces. Similarly, weapons and armor are crafted with mithril, though the expense means it is more common to find it in the form of mail rather than plate armor. Commonly, signets of higher office are made with this alloy primarily and gold or platinum as secondary metals; "worth the mithril" is a phrase associated with such offices, to describe an official who excels at their work.

While dwarves tend to use it in such fashions, they were not the only ones to develop the alloy. Elves had worked within their own strange ways, producing a metal alloy they refer to as "moonsilver". Primarily, use of this alloy has been used for artistic accents rather than as the whole piece; elven steel is usually hardened or otherwise reinforced with magic to make it equal (or better) to mithril in many qualities. The bright silvery sheen is instead valued for offering an appearance not found in platinum or silver. Indeed, more than one elven artist has used all three metals in a composition and confused many unable to detect the differences between the metals.

In the Rhyliss Empire, there are maybe a handful of metalsmiths of traditions which know the secrets of how to craft mithril, and it is usually only passed on when an apprentice is long past the point they have left apprenticeship and made a name for themselves. Because of this, and untimely deaths before the secrets could be passed down, the Empire tends to import mithril from allies in the dwarf clan-holds should it require the metal.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Mithril, when properly forged, takes on an appearance of a bright white metal which can be mistaken for silver at first glance. However, put beside silver, it is clear mithril has a brighter color. Much like silver, it can be finished in numerous ways; a brushed, darkened appearance versus a polished reflective surface is equally common to find among pieces made of mithril. When given the brushed texture and finish, it actually is almost the color of fresh, dry ashes.

Physical & Chemical Properties

What mithril is prized for more than its distinct appearance are the properties which set it apart from others. An object made of mithril weighs about half of what it would be if made of steel, and will survive much higher temperatures without becoming brittle. These qualities are the ones which attract a number of people to the alloy, as this translates to armor which is as effective (or better) while being considerably lighter and capable of more flexibility. When discussing weapons or cutting tools, mithril is not often the first choice. It is certainly capable to hold a cutting edge longer than steel, and unscrupulous traders have been known to claim it never needs sharpening. With enough use even mithril edges will go dull, and it is not unheard of for blades to be chipped if struck against even steel. Instead, you will find the best cutting implements will use expertly-shaped obsidian or orichalcum.

Geology & Geography

As an alloy, mithril is not restricted to any one location; however, the component metals being moderately common is not the issue. The major issue is access to those who know how to work the component metals into the alloy in such a way as to avoid a flawed mixture. For this, one would often appeal to the dwarf clan-halls in Gilvonnaie or the elf crafters who are often much harder to find than to hire. If the buyer doesn't mind other non-associated risks, and can find one, a dragon is more than capable of handling either the acquisition or crafting of a mithril object. However, negotiations with dragons are something sane individuals often avoid.

History & Usage

Cultural Significance and Usage

As mentioned above, both elf and dwarf cultures have a use for mithril. With the significant differences in cultures comes many different uses, and subtly different alloy formulations. Dwarf metalsmiths tend to use it for armor, shields, and structural reinforcements more often than weapons or tools; the rarer material known as 'adamantite' is desired instead for its innate properties. Even so, dwarven culture has long placed mithril in a position of reverence and respect, which is why the King of the Dwarves commissioned a throne made of mithril before the collapse. For instance, the highest form of official signets and chains are made of mithril, as opposed to the lowest being made of wrought iron, and rings for each clan leader are made of mithril and inscribed with the proper seal for the clan.

Elves, on the other hand, tend to rely on the aesthetic appeal of the alloy instead of its properties. For example, there is an aesthetic style of elf architecture which uses open spaces as a statement - mithril is quite important to this style, due to being as strong as untreated steel while half as much is needed. One of the more culturally significant recent creations ("The Fated Trio Entwined") makes use of the appearance of polished mithril, silver, and platinum for subtle differences between the three metals in appearance. More commonly, elves use the alloy as inlays, etching, or simple implements such as pens or buttons.

Reusability & Recycling

As an alloy, trying to rework or reuse mithril is much like trying to recycle steel for other uses; it is not impossible, but it has significant challenges. Straying over a temperature threshold will cause part of the alloy's components to begin separation, and thus render it more vulnerable to heat and stress without marring the outward appearance. And similarly to steel, there are steps which may be taken during the process of forging mithril which result in hidden flaws which may become apparent only during use; for this reason, recycled mithril is usually avoided being put to use where it could be a hazard to others.

Type

Metal