Bronze
Bronze is an alloy (mostly copper and tin) that tends to be tougher than brass. Once upon a time, bronze was believed to be tougher than iron as well, until the world learned how to make steeled iron. Bronze has a brassy, golden sheen and was once used to make weapons (mostly edged, though some smiths made blunted bronze weapons). Mostly, bronze weapons are the domain of ancient history. The Bronze Age, about 5,000 years ago, saw a proliferation of such weapons from ancient Greece, China and Egypt. Many such creations were art as much as functional weapons: elaborately constructed daggers, scimitars with blades shaped like lightning, ax-heads etched with images of conquering armies. Today, some collectors consider such artifacts to be significant finds, and will pay a lot for them. A few such collectors believe that these weapons are powerful because most of them have long been entombed with a number of emperors, kings and pharaohs. Such proximity to the ghosts of primeval royalty has, if the tales are to be believed, imbued the bronzed weapons with some manner of unknown power. Though few people trust in such legends, they are not necessarily untrue.
Ultimately, bronze weapons are hard to find. Some vanity artisans still forge them, but rarely are the products made to be functional; historical bronze weapons are items of great antiquity, with a price tag acceptable only to those with the deepest pockets. Modern bronze weapons will have +1 to their Cost requirements (i.e., a knife that would normally be Cost •• will be Cost ••• if made of bronze). Historical bronze weaponry, however, is almost universally Cost ••••• (if not off the charts) due to the objects’ rarity and historical value. Bronze weapons hold a fine edge. Therefore, historical bronze weapons don’t suffer a penalty to their Durability. However, bronze is also a softer metal. While still tough, steel weapons will slice bronze in twain. Bronze items are on par with aluminum, and should be considered to have a Durability 2.
Ultimately, bronze weapons are hard to find. Some vanity artisans still forge them, but rarely are the products made to be functional; historical bronze weapons are items of great antiquity, with a price tag acceptable only to those with the deepest pockets. Modern bronze weapons will have +1 to their Cost requirements (i.e., a knife that would normally be Cost •• will be Cost ••• if made of bronze). Historical bronze weaponry, however, is almost universally Cost ••••• (if not off the charts) due to the objects’ rarity and historical value. Bronze weapons hold a fine edge. Therefore, historical bronze weapons don’t suffer a penalty to their Durability. However, bronze is also a softer metal. While still tough, steel weapons will slice bronze in twain. Bronze items are on par with aluminum, and should be considered to have a Durability 2.
Type
Metal