Ferromond

Ferromond, sometimes also known as shine iron due to its reflective surface, is a rare form of crystallized metal. Natural deposits of these are extremely rare, with Jawhiratan in Sabiralsahra being the biggest known of such sites. Deposits of this mineral also forms from the breaking down of a minhaco's body upon death, but such sites are unreliable at best and even the greatest only contains so much ferromond.
It is highly valued, due to the sharp edge it easily carries and its natural hardness. The Kingdom of Suqara maintains its richness in large part due to being the only major exporter of the material, making dealing with them practically mandatory for anyone who wishes to acquire it in reasonable amounts.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Ferromond has a gray color with a notable shine to it and is often found in shapes with sharp points and edges. Miners have to be very careful not to cut themselves when extracting the ore.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Ferromond makes fore incredibly sharp edges and is therefore prized as material in weaponry. It is also harder than iron and is also useful in weaponry. As light reflects off the metal, it also doesn't heat up as much as other metals when exposed to daylight, a property that has made it useful in desert warfare.

Geology & Geography

The metal is usually only found in spots where a minhaco has died, their bodies transforming into the metal upon death. However, some sites of naturally occuring ferromond has been found, the most famous being Jawhiratan, a large mountain valley in Sabiralsahra so rich in the mineral that the area is known as "The Land that Cuts."

Origin & Source

The mineral is best described as crystalized iron and most deposits are found wherever a minhaco has died. Their unique ferrovorous diet and bodily composition results in their metal-heavy bodies crystalizing upon death, forming ferromond. Rarely, large deposits manifest on spheres when they are born.

History & Usage

History

The most prominent users of the material is the Kingdom of Suqara. After the Pact of Three Wishes in 1885 AIT, the Suqaran people began looking into ways of maintaining their newborn kingdom. Brave explorers located the valley of Jawhiratan, which was rich in the mineral. Pioneers and miners journeyed to the place and mining operations began. It was rough work, as mining the substance was quite dangerous and fatalities weren't uncommon. Over the years, mining became safer and safer, with the prison of Fida becoming a prominent workplace for processing it. Most of it was developed into a number of weapons and armors that made the Suqaran army the most well-equipped of their sphere, though they also sold a lot through their trade network, bringing their realm even more wealth.

Discovery

The first recorded find of the metal was by the explorer Luwai el-Naqvi, who reported that he had found deposits of what seemed like iron. A later report clarified that the metal was sharper and harder than iron and seemed abundant in the area. While he didn't know it at the time, Luwai had found Jawhiratan and it's mineral riches.

Everyday use

Due to its properties, ferromond is especially valued in military equipment as it is harder that iron and any edge made by it retains its sharpness for a long time.  Domestically, knives are sometimes made of the material.

Industrial Use

It sees heavy use in the metallurgy industry, where it's made into tools or reinforcing work-clothes. Ferromond tools are especially valued for working on ferromond, as iron or steel tools tend to get worn down quickly.

Refinement

Ferrodamond is a more refined variant, found in rare deposits in nature, which is even stronger than common ferromond. Suqaran alchemists and ironworkers have had some success in creating it artificialy, but it is far from reliable or cost-effective at the moment.

Manufacturing & Products

Weapons, armors, tools, equipment and structural support.

Hazards

Due to the inherent sharpness of its edges, cuts or even occasionally lost appendages are not unheard of.

Reusability & Recycling

Ferromond can be melted and reforged with a hot enough forge.

Distribution

Trade & Market

In most parts, ferromond is a rarity. The Kingdom of Suqara is an exception, being close to a large, natural source of the metal and most ferromond is imported from their markets.

Storage

Ferromond ore should be stored in boxes that minimizes the risk of accidental cuts. Processed ferromond can be stored like normal metal.

Fem

Type

Metal

Value

100 coins per unit of ferromond, 300 is refined into ferrodamond

Rarity

Rare for the most part

Color

Shiny grey

Boiling / Condensation Point

3846 degrees celsius

Melting / Freezing Point

2783 degrees celsius

Common State

Solid