Galdrstone

Galdrstone, or 'Mountain Heart', is one of the primary metals utilized by the Dwarfs. It is a very popular metal for heavy machinery thanks to its exceptional durability and inability to rust or erode. While the metal is very hard, it's also exceptionally dense and weighty, and the refinement processes required to shape it makes it very rare outside of Dwarven communities.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Galdrstone is a dull grey metal that's easily mistakable for actual stone. This trait, along with the processes required to prepare and process it, is one of the primary reasons why Galdrstone is an incredibly rare material. It lacks any shine or sheen, but does not flake or show dust. In short; it resembles a grey and tarnished silver that has long lost its luster.

Physical & Chemical Properties

One of the primary properties Galdrstone has is its incredibly high melting point. It is exceptionally difficult to melt the metal down. It also has the curious property of keeping its temperature for long periods of time despite exposure; high heat applied to cold Galdrstone would take several minutes for the metal to take on the same temperature, while frigid cold in a hot environment would take just as long.

Geology & Geography

Galdrstone is almost exclusively found in Marei, the Dwarven homeland. It can however, be found deep within mountains. Due to most of Marei consisting of one enormous mountain, Galdrstone can be found and harvested quite frequently throughout the Dwarven home.

History & Usage

Discovery

The Dwarfs have known about Galdrstone for centuries; it is likened to their equivalent of Iron. The rock was reportedly ignored; myth has it that the first Dwarfs had stumbled upon a great wall of Galdrstone ore during one of their mining operations. The stubborn dwarfs struck away at the metal, thinking it no different from the rock they've carved through for years prior. When they discovered that it was impossible to simply pierce and break away with mere tools, the Dwarfs later watched as  Förmamöls actually dug around the metal rather than through it.
This was seen as a very strange occurrence, for the mighty Förmamöls have never before found themselves stopped or halted by earth. So, the Dwarfs had the giant moles do the next best thing: Dig around the smallest hunk of ore and heft it back to the capital, where it would be studied and hopefully, put to use.

Everyday use

Galdrstone is used primarily by military-grade equipment or heavy machinery. In terms of material, Galdrstone is unparalleled when it comes to mechanized mining operations. Ships or vehicles of the stuff is famously capable of ignoring cannon fire. 
Galdrstone is the primary metal used by the Stoneguards. It is used to manufacture their armour, shields, and weaponry.

Refinement

What makes Galdrstone so difficult to properly shape and mold is the fact that the metal must endure ridiculous temperatures in order to properly melt. Ancient Dwarfs also relied on a particularly painstaking process that relied on cutting through the stone with sharp, heated blades; essentially literally chiseling the metal so that it took on a more appealing shape. 

Now, Galdrstone is placed into enormous chambers and crucibles that heat the metal to the point it grows soft and malleable. Sharpened, mechanical blades then slice and shape the stone into the desired shapes before they're taken out to be submerged in pools of ice-cold water.

Hazards

The heat required to melt and shape Galdrstone is, needless to say, dangerous. The enormous crucibles utilized by the Dwarfs are carefully monitored to prevent system malfunctions and breakdowns. The metals required to maintain the systems are etched with special runes that provide the cooling necessary to keep the heat from growing too overbearing, but the blades are generally maintained at super hot temperatures at all times to better shape the stone.
They must be cooled in between each refining process, lest the blades warp or melt.

Distribution

Storage

Galdrstone is stored as the ore, though they're often shaped into huge slabs to make the refinement process quicker and more efficient. Slabs are also sold to mining companies for their machinery or equipment.

Type

Metal

Value

Roughly 300 Gold per ounce. Galdrstone is exceptionally expensive.

Rarity

Almost exclusively among the Dwarfs

Color

A dull grey

Melting / Freezing Point

Over 3,000 degrees F (1,760 C)

Density

18 grams per Cubic Centimeter.

Common State

Heavy ore veins found littering the mountains of Marei.

Related Species

• Dwarfs

Related Technologies

• Drakefire Weapons