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sparkindarknessMetal. I had to pin them down on this, but when it comes down to it, if you take iron out of the range of metals you cna use you are left with some pretty shoddy alternatives.
So, what do they use instead - and why is Iron so bad anyway?
Iron
Iron is the bane of all the creatures of faerie. Most things in the world, from plants to rocks to people have some magic in them., There is magic in their forms, minds, spirits – there is always magic. The far (in fact, the main characteristic that makes a faerie a faerie) have far more than most. In fact, magic makes up part of the physical structure of their bodies in the same way carbon makes up part of the human body.
Iron is one of those few substances that doesn’t have any magic. Or, perhaps, has an aura of anti-magic (the fae are undecided as to which since they really don’t like studying iron and, besides, magic is their main method of study). Not only does it have no magic of its own but it absorbs, disrupts and destroys the magic of others. For a faerie, this means it can absorb, disrupt and destroy their own flesh. Different fae have different degrees of vulnerability. A Troll is largely made up of stone held together by magic and is fairly resistant to iron. A Sidhe is mainly magic and very vulnerable.
Iron cannot, obviously, be conventionally enchanted. The only fae who have come close are the Dwarfs and Trolls who have managed to enchant runes laid into the iron rather than the iron itself. It is difficult, expensive and often temporary (though not always).
Interestingly, humans can imbue iron with Glamour – the magic of creativity and dreams. The fae don’t know how and think it should be impossible (and yes, it does annoy them). Iron imbued with Glamour loses some of its anti-magic properties – so the more worked iron is (the more imbued with creativity), the less dangerous it is. So cold iron that is hammered roughly into shape is fare more dangerous than highly decorated steel, which is almost benign (the exception to this rule is iron forged by the fae since the fae cannot imbue iron with Glamour). All iron is harmful though, not just to faerie flesh but also to faerie magic. In ancient days humans built on the foundation of their unique Glamour to create potent magical iron weapons. The fae have never been able to duplicate it and are terrified of these weapons.
Mithril
Mithril is an enchantment, not a metal. Usually cast during smelting or forging or temporarily when the item is used, it imbues the metal with extra strength and durability. It’s very common since fae mcannot use steel – largely needing Mithrils to make their metals properly useable. Because it is an enchantment it can qapply to any metal – Mithril bronze, Mithril Silver etc but is usually just referred to as ‘Mithril’ because the enchantment usually overrules the original properties of the metal (Mithril gold and Mithril bronze are as hard as each other. Mithril lead can easily be as light as Mithil tin).
Just about all fae can cast a Mithril – even if it’s only while they hold the metal and concentrate. Dwarfs, Gnomes and Nockers are the best; Sidhe are usually poor at it – tending to create incredibly strong Mithrils that then overwhelm the metal and make it crumble or melt.
A Mithril is often used as a base for other magical enchantments – to these substance does matter. Again, Dwarfs are the experts though the very best are Dwarf skills and runes powered by a Sidhe. In fact, different fae often help, and the greatest and most varied enchantments are created by multiple fae adding their diverse powers to the enchantment.
So, what do they use instead - and why is Iron so bad anyway?
Iron
Iron is the bane of all the creatures of faerie. Most things in the world, from plants to rocks to people have some magic in them., There is magic in their forms, minds, spirits – there is always magic. The far (in fact, the main characteristic that makes a faerie a faerie) have far more than most. In fact, magic makes up part of the physical structure of their bodies in the same way carbon makes up part of the human body.
Iron is one of those few substances that doesn’t have any magic. Or, perhaps, has an aura of anti-magic (the fae are undecided as to which since they really don’t like studying iron and, besides, magic is their main method of study). Not only does it have no magic of its own but it absorbs, disrupts and destroys the magic of others. For a faerie, this means it can absorb, disrupt and destroy their own flesh. Different fae have different degrees of vulnerability. A Troll is largely made up of stone held together by magic and is fairly resistant to iron. A Sidhe is mainly magic and very vulnerable.
Iron cannot, obviously, be conventionally enchanted. The only fae who have come close are the Dwarfs and Trolls who have managed to enchant runes laid into the iron rather than the iron itself. It is difficult, expensive and often temporary (though not always).
Interestingly, humans can imbue iron with Glamour – the magic of creativity and dreams. The fae don’t know how and think it should be impossible (and yes, it does annoy them). Iron imbued with Glamour loses some of its anti-magic properties – so the more worked iron is (the more imbued with creativity), the less dangerous it is. So cold iron that is hammered roughly into shape is fare more dangerous than highly decorated steel, which is almost benign (the exception to this rule is iron forged by the fae since the fae cannot imbue iron with Glamour). All iron is harmful though, not just to faerie flesh but also to faerie magic. In ancient days humans built on the foundation of their unique Glamour to create potent magical iron weapons. The fae have never been able to duplicate it and are terrified of these weapons.
Mithril
Mithril is an enchantment, not a metal. Usually cast during smelting or forging or temporarily when the item is used, it imbues the metal with extra strength and durability. It’s very common since fae mcannot use steel – largely needing Mithrils to make their metals properly useable. Because it is an enchantment it can qapply to any metal – Mithril bronze, Mithril Silver etc but is usually just referred to as ‘Mithril’ because the enchantment usually overrules the original properties of the metal (Mithril gold and Mithril bronze are as hard as each other. Mithril lead can easily be as light as Mithil tin).
Just about all fae can cast a Mithril – even if it’s only while they hold the metal and concentrate. Dwarfs, Gnomes and Nockers are the best; Sidhe are usually poor at it – tending to create incredibly strong Mithrils that then overwhelm the metal and make it crumble or melt.
A Mithril is often used as a base for other magical enchantments – to these substance does matter. Again, Dwarfs are the experts though the very best are Dwarf skills and runes powered by a Sidhe. In fact, different fae often help, and the greatest and most varied enchantments are created by multiple fae adding their diverse powers to the enchantment.