Temōrtra
Temōrtra, or sky iron, a native metal found in ferrous meteorites. Literally meaning "iron of heaven" in Khaghat'oa, temōrtra was a highly coveted material before the invention of iron smelting and remains culturally significant in several mortal. Its unique provenance and composition make it an exceptionally pure metal and predisposes it to arcane enchantment.
Temōrtra sits in the pantheon of Exalted Elements who's unique composition and provenance grants a faint innate connection to the Old Magic of the world. These materials include temōrtra, shadowglass, greenstone, gold, mithril, lapis lazuli, and sanctified organic substances like wood and bone. Among these exalted materials, temōrtra is particularly prized for use in weapon and armor manufacturing.
Temōrtra is often compared to dragonsbreath steel, an iron alloy infused with carbon-strengthening compounds and heated with the fiery breath of a dragon or dragonborn. Both temōrtra and dragonsbreath steel are dark grey, metallic materials with unique patterns and receptive to arcane enchantments. They have close to equal tensile strength, durability, and flexibility. Temōrtra is often considered best formulated for withstanding abrasion and impacts while dragonsbreath can hold a sharper edge for a longer period of time.
However, while dragonsbreath steel must be smelted and combined with carbonate alloys, temōrtra can be heated and shaped with no additional materials. Thus, production of temōrtra objects can be done without the aid of high cost furnaces or advanced forging technologies. Additionally, any individual with access to basic metallurgy facilities can craft or refine temōrtra, while dragonsbreath steel must be fired through the heat of a dragon or dragonborn's breath weapon, essentially limiting production to majority dragonborn societies like the Qartagonian Emirates.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Temōrtra deposits most often appear in craters or near meteorite crash sites. Upon entering Holos's atmosphere, flammable and loose sediments that have accumulated on the surface of the object burn up, causing the fallen meteor be covered in small honeycomb-like alcoves. As the meteorite cools after impact, a pattern forms inside the structure as kamacite is exsolved from taenite in the form of lamellas. This gives it an interlocking chevron pattern when cleanly cut through. Polished temōrtra shines dull grey and, though it takes longer to degrade than smelted iron ore, it does accumulate a coppery rust hue to its exterior as it oxygenates over time.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Like the other Exalted Elements, temōrtra has a faint but innate connection to the Old Magic that governs the Material Plane and the Realms Beyond. This allows it to be highly receptive to arcane enchantment, lowering the cost and time needed to imbue an item with a magical affect. This alone would make temōrtra a sought-after commodity.
Temōrtra is naturally stronger and more durable than refined iron ore. Unlike iron ore, which must be smelted in order to remove its impurities, temōrtra naturally appears in a pure to near-pure state. This allows it to be heated, shaped, and refined with minimal resources and a basic understanding of metallurgic techniques. Historically, this enabled mortal communities in proximity to meteorite craters to invest in and utilize advanced tools and weaponry ahead of their neighbors and led to greater technological achievements.
Like all iron, temōrtra is poisonous to fey creatures and can even act as a repellent to fey magic. Fair folk that encounter temōrtra often feel a painful queasy sensation and an injury caused by a temōrtra weapon can cause blisters on the skin and even boil the blood of an injured fey.
Compounds
Like iron ore, temōrtra can be smelted and combined with added carbon to create steel. However, this process is rarely done, as temōrtra in its natural state is nearly as strong as steel and unlike the refined iron, temōrtra is not greatly improved upon being made into steel.
Geology & Geography
Despite its superiority to refined iron ore, temōrtra is found only in scattered deposits across Holos. Because it is found exclusively in the remains of meteorites and meteor showers, it most commonly appears in or around meteorite craters. The most famous site is located in northern Iroa's Khaghat region at a place called the Chekeren Crater. Much of the crater's original meteorite has been harvested over the centuries, with only a small chunk remaining. What does survive of the Chekeren meteorite rests under the constant guard of the Khaghate clans, who regard the object as a sacred part of their people's culture and history.
Origin & Source
Temōrtra comes from ferrous meteorites that have fallen to the surface of Holos over the course of the planet's long history. Different cultures have various interpretations on where these meteorites originally came from, with some calling them the fallen slingstones and arrows of the sun god Uriah, while others contend that they are remnants of the Aboleth Empires . Among the Khaghate , whom have used temōrtra for generations, these scattered rocks are the slag of Lastspasm, the legendary sword wielded by their patron deity; Oheilion, the Bloodied Lord.
History & Usage
History
Temōrtra appears to have been used as early as the Late Dawn Era and First Intermediate Period. During this time, the Khaghate people of northern Iroa came to discover the Chekeren Crater and its large deposit of temōrtra. They quickly adopted it and became master craftsfolk, famed for their use of the material in their iconic full helms and gleaming armor. Some scholars theorize that it was the abundance of temōrtra in these early years on the Khaghat Steppe that encouraged the development of the Khaghate's taboo on armor removal. Over time, deposits of temōrtra became more and more scarce, forcing most Khaghate warriors to use other materials to craft their armor, such as mithril and enchanted bone. Today, steel is the most common armor plating used by the Khaghate but many members still wear the temōrtra armor of their ancestors. Among these families, each piece is melted down and reforged to fit for the next generation. It is believed that the memories of battles past lives within each set of Khaghate armor and so the temōrtra inside grows stronger with each true Khaghate successor.
It is believed that before the Reckoning of Temekan, temōrtra was comparably more common and was used by a number of different cultures throughout Holos. In Temekan, temōrtra was the preferred weapon of the elite and carried was by the pharaoh and their mysterious bodyguards. It even found its way into the hands of the lower classes and could be found in both arcane and mundane contraptions. However, with the Reckoning and the subsequent Exile Arcana, the need for arcane receptor materials fell and the lack of known sources for the metal meant that it became a rare, almost legendary substance.
Some have claimed that temōrtra is used among the polar foragers of the Driftless Sea in far Teroa, but none have been able to substantiate these claims.
Cultural Significance and Usage
As one of the Exalted Elements, many cultures regard temōrtra as a potent weapon and give it great reverence.
Among the Khaghate, the temōrtra holds an especially important place in their culture, history and identity. The Khaghate claim that the sky iron fell from the heavens as the slag created when the god of crafts, Zwakhasis, was forging the war god Oheilion's hallowed greatsword, Lastspasm. Oheilion then shone the temōrtra to the Khaghate that they might learn how to draw strength from the refuse of the heavens.
The Khaghate wear temōrtra at almost all times. After they complete their verd'goten—or rite of passage—Khaghate warriors work with their clan's armorer to first melt down the remains of their ancestor's gear and then forge a new set of armor from the pieces. The new armor is built for the individual and represents their themselves and their clan. From this point on, Khaghate warriors will wear their armor almost constantly until their death. Only the most intimate members of their clan will be allows to see them without it as it becomes an integral part of their identity.
While most Khaghate today wear armor composed of a mixture of materials including steel, iron, bronze, mithril, and bone; the most prized helms and plates are made from the ancient temōrtra. Many lineages keep temōrtra armor and weapons as a sign of status, symbolically connecting them to the past and to the first of their people, Khaghatan the First.
Reusability & Recycling
Temōrtra can be melted down and reforged dozens or even hundreds of times without losing its integrity. However, the process of melting down a piece of worked temōrtra does destroy any arcane enchantment connected to the original item, requiring new materials and a recasting of any enchantment spells.
Distribution
Law & Regulation
While not specifically regulated by law, the strict cultural mores of the Khaghat dictate that those who wear temōrtra armor must have had a hand in the armor's forging. Stealing armor, particularly ancestral armor, is considered a grave crime, worthy of dishonor and the label of dar'khagha.
Type
Metal
Color
Metallic; dark grey opaque
Melting / Freezing Point
1535.0° C. or 2795.0° F.
Common State
Solid
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