Fantasy Metallurgy: Ironwood

Or, a selection from a folio of Monographs on subjects of exotic and uncommon nature

I found myself confronted with an unusual puzzle of how to address the topic of a metal that was not a metal at all when a friend of mine gifted me with a sword made, of all things, from wood.  Thinking it merely a display piece I scoffed when he suggested a friendly bout against his steel.  

Of course, that was some years ago, before I had heard of this remarkable substance. It is not common by any stretch, but certain Elven tribes living in deep forest communities make use of it as you or I would use iron. It is they who learned the secrets to its creation, and are the most prodigious users.  However, it has a certain popularity with the idle rich or those who engage in dangerous pursuits, for reasons as varied as they come. Given its rarity and its popularity, obviously it tends to be quite expensive.

I would say, at a glance, that Ironwood is simply the rarest of the exotic 'metals' that I have encountered, though it must surely run neck and neck with the so-called 'Starmetal' for such title.

That aside, we must discuss the obvious: Ironwood is not a metal, its properties are not that of a metal. It is, however, a wood. Exceptionally hard wood.  Like all true hardwoods it is heavy, dense stuff, heavier even that some of the metals I have encountered.  However, despite its density, it does float upon water, buoyed by the oils within it, though this would seem to violate the purely physical laws, it is firmly supported by the mystical laws that simultaneously govern us.  

In appearance an object of Ironwood is a dark, nutty brown with a thick grain pattern. It is glossy and well polished, as near as I can tell without exception.  It is heavy, as I said, and provided it is well cared for it will last a lifetime of heavy use.  I have seen, with my own eyes, woodworking and metalworking tools made of Ironwood, objects of some ironic intent but undeniable utility.

One thing that I was able to determine regarding Ironwood is that it is never available unworked, no raw materials. One must purchase an object that one intents to use as is without exception. This curious fact caused me to do some additional research, and I could find no woodcarvers or smiths who had worked the stuff themselves. I did find, however, that several attempts over the years to smuggle the stuff out of its native forests had been attempted with several notable failures, not the least of which were the lethal protections of the forest elves.

Over the years those who would steal the substance, worth a fortune on the open market, have managed to successfully identify the trees the elves harvest, a rare species that appears similar to walnut though it produces no nuts and the leaves are markedly different, more fan shaped and larger.  While several trees have been stolen, the wood, while rich and hard, was not, alas, Ironwood, lacking several characteristics. Worse, indeed was that the raw wood proved unmarketable, being somewhat musty smelling and prone to cracking under the stress of working, though the shade was correct.

I was able to procure a few samples of the wood and under close examination I could find no obvious tool marks, such as even the finest craftsman must leave. I was also unable to find knots or burls that should naturally occur in wood of the shapes necessary to produce the items I looked at.  Having formed a hypothesis from these facts, I set off into the woods to the ironwood groves there-in at great personal risk to observe the elves in question, a reticient and surly tribe, at work... though it nearly cost me my life several times over.

What I witnessed was the elves moving among the trees searching for the oldest, fattest tree they could find.  They spent hours circling their prey, chanting and humming some dire wordless tune.  They did this night after night, always the same tree, until, after weeks I observed a mighty blister forming on the surface of the tree itself, a sap filled pustule on its surface from which the Elves finally pulled an object in what appeared to be the shape of a plow blade.  Satisfied, I left as I had come, but to my dismay it was several more weeks before the finished blade was delivered to me.  I had mistaken their ritual for the entire process, but I determined that there was no way, short of reincarnation I could learn the rest of the process. I gifted the farmer I had been boarding with the plow blade and took what more portable samples I had for further study.

Ironwood is not uncommonly found as swords and other blades, but among those exotic 'metals' it is the weakest in this category, being only as hard as steel, heavier, and with a dismaying tendancy to blunt under heavy use... though it is possible to shave the edge of a blade back into shape this tends to be a destructive process in the long run.  Despite the extra weight it can be more comfortable as armor than more traditional designs, though this may be due to the fact that it is, essentially, custom made for each purchaser by nature, though most I have seen that use it prefer to make due with smaller bits of the wood on a leather backing, in a variety of designs.  

For weapons, it is most effective as a bludgeoning tool, ironic given that its creators disdain such weapons. It can take remarkable punishment, and my understanding from masters of the arcane, it is far easier to work, or repair, magickally, than any metal with the possible exception of Mithril.  Indeed, those who make the most use of the stuff seem to be able to plant and water it in such a way as to encourage it to return to its original shape.  Ironically, however, it appears more resistant to base enchantment, though some claim that the various gods of nature are more willing to bless such items.

Ironwood, like all woods, will burn, though it is difficult to start. One feature that may be of interest to those who live dangerous lives is the simple fact that Ironwood burns nearly ten times longer than an equivalent weight of ordinary wood, though it produces a foul smoke and some sensitive souls claim they can hear it screaming as it burns.  To be sure, I have learned that while fire may be effective against some monsters, those who's power comes from evil actually seem to gain strength from fire consuming an impromptu ironwood torch, even as their flesh burns.  On the other hand, some fiends, particularly of the undead sort, appear to be repelled by the wood, which would suggest a strong metaphysic connection to life, which would be assumed.  I can conclude from these factors that the wood itself remains alive for some time after its purchase.

On that note, Ironwood does not hold up indefinitely. While the substance has been known for some centuries or more, no artifacts older than a single mans life have been undearthed, and simple tools, such as a farmer's plow, that date back a few generations appear to be nothing more than old, dry wood and show no evidence of special properties.  I conjecture that, in theory, if one were to learn the secrets of planting and watering as mentioned earlier, that the life of such items might be extended indefinitely, though obviously this may not be in the interests of those who control the supply... if indeed such reclusive curmudgeons care for the wealth it might generate.

These are very nicely done, Spike.

RPGPundit

Thank you. If there is any real interest I've got a few more in me. I was away from computers all day... literally standing around (back and knees are murdering me...) so I didn't get a chance to type any more up.

I vaguely plan to treat all the 'common' fantasy metals, trying to be fairly generic and universal, just as I did with my (now old) racial overviews... though obviously with somewhat less depth.

Interesting read, really well done.