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Steel was an alloy formed from iron and carbon, and was used in a variety of weapons and armor.[4]

Properties[]

This common alloy was, in terms of protection, stronger than stone, but less strong than mithral and adamantine.[5]

Variations[]

Steel forged specifically by dragons was highly sought after by weaponsmiths.[6]

Applications[]

Blades around the Realms were crafted from the finest steel for keenness and flexibility. In order to make the edge of the blades perfectly sharp, the steel had to be folded, pounded, and then tempered. Weapons of such quality could cause additional damage in combat.[7]

As well as weapons, armor was typically made from common steel. There were, however, less common varieties of steel, such as fine or elven, which were a lot lighter, but far more expensive. Usually, fine steel armor would cost about twice as much, but elven steel armor was reserved for only those deemed worthy, and thus was not often available for purchase.[8]

In Calimshan, metalworkers had developed two unique variations of steel, solbar, or "bright steel", which was a mix of steel with silver, and hamaad or "war metal", which was a refined and folded steel. The former had a bluish shine to it and resisted tarnishing; the latter was often used to make stronger and lighter weapon blades. Both alloys were used in the production of the shoonrings of the Sixth Age of Calimshan.[9]

Helms of brilliance, enchanted helmets adorned with gems, were made of a combination of silver and strong, polished steel.[10] Light and heavy shields were either formed of wood or steel, and the steel varieties weighed 3‒30 lb (1.4‒14 kg). Chain shirts came with steel caps.[11]

As well as armor and weapons, steel had a variety of other uses. It was used in pitons, and polished steel was used to make mirrors. Striking flint with a piece of steel produced sparks, which could be used to light fires.[12]

Lantan minted envelope-shaped trade bars made of steel engraved with the symbol of Gond. They were worth 20 gp each and were commonly used in trade across the Sword Coast.[13]

Tuning forks made of steel and tuned to C were used as a material component for the plane shift spell when the destination was the Prime Material plane. The tuning fork took the user to the location to which the metal was native, in the interpretation of the Great Wheel cosmology that considered each crystal sphere to be a different alternative Material plane.[14]

History[]

In the 1480s DR, the Zhentarim developed the means to craft powerful weapons made from steel that had been forged by dragons and recovered during the group's involvement in the campaign against the Cult of the Dragon.[6]

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

Novels
The SummoningThe Magehound
Video Games
Neverwinter (Tyranny of Dragons)

External Links[]

References[]

  1. Curtis Smith, Rick Swan (May 1990). Ronin Challenge. Edited by Jon Pickens, Steve Winter. (TSR, Inc.), p. 88. ISBN 0-88038-749-1.
  2. Alana Joli Abbott (March 2012). “Talking the Talk”. In Steve Winter ed. Dragon #409 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 4.
  3. Andy Collins, James Wyatt, and Skip Williams (November 2003). Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 29. ISBN 0-7869-2884-0.
  4. David Cook (April 1995). Dungeon Master Guide 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 53. ISBN 978-0786903283.
  5. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins, James Wyatt (2014). Dungeon Master's Guide 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 246. ISBN 978-0786965622.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Cryptic Studios (August 2014). Neverwinter: Tyranny of Dragons. Perfect World Entertainment.
  7. David Cook (April 1995). Dungeon Master Guide 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 55. ISBN 978-0786903283.
  8. David Cook (April 1995). Dungeon Master Guide 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 56. ISBN 978-0786903283.
  9. Steven E. Schend, Dale Donovan (September 1998). Empires of the Shining Sea. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 192. ISBN 0-7869-1237-5.
  10. David Cook (April 1995). Dungeon Master Guide 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 227. ISBN 978-0786903283.
  11. Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 123–124. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
  12. Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 126–127. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
  13. Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 130. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
  14. Jeff Grubb (April 1987). “Plane Speaking: Tuning in to the Outer Planes”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #120 (TSR, Inc.), p. 42.
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