Soul Steel

Soulsteel is an otherworldly metal forged from the souls of people, resulting in weapons and armor of incredible power and sinister nature. Once a soul is smelted into Soulsteel, it is forever trapped, experiencing endless torment within the item. This dark process grants Soulsteel items unique properties that make them highly sought after by those willing to embrace their malevolent nature. Soulsteel remains a symbol of ultimate power and ultimate sacrifice, a testament to the dark depths to which mortals will sink to achieve their desires for power. The echoes of the damned within each piece serve as a constant reminder of the cost of wielding such malevolent power.

"Soulsteel is the just punishment for the wicked—where the souls of criminals are bound to eternal torment, forged into weapons and armor, ensuring that their malevolence serves a greater purpose in death than it ever did in life."

History & Usage

History

Its origins are shrouded in dark legend and grim tales. It is said that the art of forging Soulsteel was first discovered by a long-forgotten civilization that sought to harness the power of souls to create weapons of unimaginable power and was gifted to them by a dark god. This civilization, driven by ambition and desperation, struck a pact with a dark entity. These entities revealed the forbidden knowledge of binding souls to metal, thus creating Soulsteel.
The initial forgers of Soulsteel were known as the Blacksmiths of Despair. They were not mere craftsmen but powerful necromancers and warlocks who could manipulate the essence of life and death. Using ancient rituals and dark magic, they trapped the souls of their enemies and traitors within the molten metal. The process was excruciating for the souls involved, condemning them to an eternity of torment. The weapons and armor forged from Soulsteel became prized possessions among warlords and tyrants. These items were not only incredibly powerful but also instilled fear in the hearts of enemies. Soulsteel weapons could cut through armor with ease and drained the life force of those they struck, making the wielder stronger. Armor made from Soulsteel protected its wearer almost supernaturally, diverting fatal blows to the tormented souls within. However, the power of Soulsteel came with a great cost. The tormented souls trapped within the metal would whisper and scream, driving many wielders to madness over time. The civilization that created Soulsteel eventually fell into ruin, consumed by the very darkness they sought to control. The knowledge of forging Soulsteel was thought lost, buried beneath the ashes of their fallen empire.
Centuries later in present times, fragments of this dark art were gifted as rewards from a dark entity to high esteemed members of government. Utilizing more modern magic and technology the techniques were improved upon the original methods, making Soulsteel even more potent. These modern forgers, known as the Soulbinders, remain secretive, operating in hidden forges and dark sanctuaries away from the prying eyes of the righteous. The dark lore surrounding Soulsteel continues to grow, with each new weapon and piece of armor adding to its bloody and tormented legacy.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Melee Weapons:

• Supernatural Accuracy: Gain a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls.
• Life Drain: On a hit, the target takes an additional 1d6 necrotic damage, and the wielder gains temporary hit points equal to the necrotic damage dealt and that target's HP is reduced for the amount of necrotic damage permanently. This effect can only be undone to the target by a greater restoration spell or the wish spell. 

Ranged Weapons:

• Extra Damage to Living Targets: Gain a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls.
• Essence Drain: On a hit, the target takes an additional 1d8 necrotic damage.

Soulsteel Armor: Critical Hit Protection: When you are hit by a critical hit, the damage is transferred to the tormented soul within the armor, negating the critical hit. The wearer takes normal damage instead.
A creature must be attuned to a Soulsteel item to use its special properties. Attuning to a Soulsteel item requires a sacrifice of some of the wielder's essence. The attunement process involves a ritual in which the wielder loses 1d4 maximum hit points, which can only be restored by ending the attunement.

Manufacturing & Products

The forging of Soulsteel requires a special forge, infused with dark magic and rituals to bind the souls to the metal. The souls must be harvested using a ritual spell known as "Soul Forge," which requires the sacrifice of living creatures.
Soul Forge Ritual:

• Components: A special forge, rare ores, the "Soul Forge" spell, and living creatures to be sacrificed.
• Casting Time: 8 hours.
• Effect: The souls of the sacrificed creatures are bound to the metal, creating Soulsteel.

Hazards

The souls within Soulsteel weapons and armor are in constant torment. The wielder occasionally hears whispers, screams, and cries of the trapped souls, which can be disturbing. During a long rest, the wielder must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, they suffer from nightmares and gain no benefit from that rest. Using Soulsteel items can have long-term effects on the wielder's sanity and soul. Prolonged use may lead to madness or corruption, requiring regular Wisdom saving throws to avoid permanent mental afflictions.