Ironbite

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Ironbite is a condition which is fatally toxic to almost all Faefolk species. Upon contact with skin, second-degree burns develop almost immediately, leaving blistering welts where the iron has touched. Hair and fur melt away almost instantaneously as well. If the skin is pierced, the wound will not heal on its own and requires removal of all trace elements of the iron before treatment will have any effect. A quick amputation may be the only option if the wound is deep enough.

On rare occasions, iron resistance developed within certain peoples of the Faefolk. There has been one such, albeit tenuous, documented case of a harpy slave who developed a resistance. As the claims go, he could handle the iron chains that held him and many of his fathers before, suffering only minor burns and discomfort. This slave was able to wield the iron chain as a weapon against his oppressors, who could not defend against the substance.

It’s also possible for an entire Faefolk race to be less susceptible to the Ironbite. The leading example of this were the Clúrachán - a once powerful clan of Faefolk with unique individual abilities and collective resistance to Ironbite. Their resistance, however, led to their downfall. The council of Tuath Dé, above all other courts, decided that the Clúrachán were too powerful and resistant to their control, at which time they issued an extermination order.

Since resistance to Ironbite was most feared by the council, they sent a powerful commander leading an army of followers. He composed this army of various Faefolk, but the bulk comprised the prolific and battle-hardened elves. The army fought down the Clúrachán and any other magical creatures or Faefolk who may one day resist the power of the Tuath Dé. This led to the apocalyptic event that decimated the Clúrachán people, cast the Tuath Dé out of Midgard, and catalyzed the coming end of magic.

As magic waned and humanity spread without restraint, iron-based materials covered the world. An overabundance of this poison, coupled with a lack of magic, kept the Faefolk away from Midgard for generations. Underhill, however, does not like being disconnected from the corporeal realm and may yet find a way to return.

Transmission & Vectors

Physical touch.

Causes

Environmental factors for Faefolk.

Symptoms

Second-degree burns, Blistering welts, Hair and fur melt away instantaneously, Piercing wounds will not heal

Treatment

Thorough cleaning of affected area must be done to removal of all trace elements of the iron before treatment may occur. A quick amputation may be the only option if the wound is deep enough.

Type

Magical Reaction