Wyrmskin

Of all the dangerous creatures that haunt the Ironstone Mountains, none are more feared than the dreaded wyrm. Likely because of their reputation, the hide of the wyrms is highly coveted as symbols of status and power. Wyrmskin is incredibly tough and makes for excellent and unique armour.

Properties

Material Characteristics

When making armour, the wyrmskin that is used tends to be from the back and the tops of the limbs. This is the hide that is thickest and most striking.
The leather may be a range of different colours from gold to green to red to black. The skin is incredibly dense but surprisingly light and covered in scales that carry a metallic sheen. Scale patterns are often irregular and can carry spikes, quills or even down from the feathers.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Wyrmskin is as tough to pierce as scale or chainmail. The advantage to wyrmskin is that it is lighter and more comfortable than mail. It is also easier to move while wearing wyrmskin. Sharp implements may leave a bruise but will have a difficult time cutting through to the wearer's skin.
A piece of wyrmskin that also contains the natural quills or spikes wyrms are known for, these also have the potential to be harmful to attackers.

Origin & Source

Despite the high value of wyrmskin, taking such a beast down is no easy feat. Some may be able to grab the skin off a wyrm that died by other means, but by the time the skin is claimed it will have deteriorated to a point where it is no longer useful or impressive. When a wyrm is brought down, artisans must act quickly to carve up the body of the still-warm creature and harvest its hide.

History & Usage

Cultural Significance and Usage

The tanned wyrmskin is made into an assortment of items for wear, both for combat and for decoration. Those in high society pride themselves on their collection of wyrmskin bracelets, belts, boots and gloves, bags, etc. Individually-pried scales make for excellent jewellery and accessories. While the wearer may not be directly claiming to have killed a wyrm themselves, these pieces make a bold statement about the wearer's wealth and power.
Armour created from wyrmskin carries much the same distinction with it. Those who wear such noble outfits bear them with a sense of glory and pride. While it provides little more protection than a suit of chainmail (and certainly not as much as full plate) the esteem that such an article of clothing has is ineffable.

Refinement

Raw wyrmskin is treated much the same way as ordinary leather. It is preserved, either through tannins in vegetables or chromium salts, to enhance the leather’s physical strength and ensure the colour and sheen are retained.

Environmental Impact

Isturoth's industrialisation has seen an increased negative impact on the environment from many fields. The tanning of leather is included, for the process generates a large amount of waste material. Much of the time, this is improperly disposed of or simply run down the river, polluting it with chemicals.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Naturally, the sale of wyrmskin is dominated by the upper classes and nobility. The material is hard enough to come by that its trade is fairly limited.

Type

Organic