Cold-forging

Summary

The art of cold forging is practiced in the freezing south and is used to make metals that become stronger in the cold and never overheat. These weapons can become dense during the forging process, but by some unknown process of the frost salts within them can easily be made light despite this density.

Process

The art of cold forging allows for the users to freeze a material to the point of shattering, then repeat this process until the material becomes a fine powder. This powder is packed as tightly as possible after being mixed with 'Ice salts' (A mineral found only in the mountains of Tierdun and Oron'hye). This material is then lowered into an unnaturally cold fluid made from using ice magic to freeze water mixed with a small amount of Ice salts, and is left their until the material is solid but as malleable as gold. The Material is then removed and hammered into shape, before being again lowered into the freezing water/Ice salts mix to fully harden.

Uses

The full hardness of cold forged materials is influenced by the choice of material being cold-forged, but is typically half-again as strong, and becomes even stronger the colder the weapon becomes. Even in the hottest deserts this material is cool to the touch, and it is often used to make metal gear that is required for use in hot regions.
It is also used when going far enough south that the ice will make normal metals brittle as it only grows stronger in the cold. The material does not contract in the cold either, and large quantities make great anchors as it is both dense and hard, and is difficult to erode (particularly so in cold waters).

History

This art began in the southern regions of Oron'Hye among the Oroni, and was later mastered by the J'a-goroan. It is believed to be an art taught by Olrad as it is not known well among populations that do not have followers of Olrad.