Crimchent (Crim-CH-int)

Crimchent appears as a dark, reddish ore that constantly radiates warmth. It’s always hot to the touch never burning, but never cool. When heated, it emits a sharp scent reminiscent of scorched sand and volcanic stone. Hard and dense, it has a smooth, slightly grainy surface like baked obsidian.

Crimchent is naturally fire-resistant and heat-absorbent. Once it absorbs heat, it holds that energy for long durations, slowly dispersing it across its surface. It is especially reactive to fire-element enchantments, enhancing them significantly.

It cannot be damaged or melted by normal flames—only extreme magical or forge-grade heat can bring it to its melting point.

Pathfinder Rule Integration

Crafting Cost

• Weapon: +4,000 gp
• Armor Medium: +15,000 gp
• Armor Heavy: +20,000 gp
• Ammunition: +340 gp per unit

Weaponry
Automatically deals +1d2 fire damage on hit. Any offensive fire enchantment placed on it increases by one die step (e.g., 1d6 → 1d8).

Armor

Medium Armor: Grants 50% fire resistance.
Heavy Armor: Grants fire immunity.

When struck by a magical fire source, the armor stores residual energy:
Roll 1d6 per spell level of the fire spell absorbed. On the wearer’s next melee hit, they can release that stored fire as bonus damage (once per activation).
All Crimchent armor must be enchanted to at least +1 to include a built-in cooling liner to prevent wearer damage.

Ammunition

Crimchent arrows or bullets deal +1d4 fire damage.
When combined with Flaming or Alchemist Fire effects, damage increases to 2d4 fire.
Ammunition burns brilliantly but remains solid unless struck by overwhelming cold magic.

Everything
Crimchent is completely immune to fire unless heated to its extreme melting point.
If enchanted with fire element, the enchantment gains a +1 value—this could mean extra uses, bonus dice, or a permanent power increase (GM discretion).
All Crimchent-based equipment has a hardness of 20 and +50% HP due to its heat-hardened structure.

Crimchent is most commonly found near volcanic vents, magma fields, or fire-aligned ley lines. It's also harvested from dry, scorched deserts where the earth’s crust runs dangerously hot. In these regions, it naturally intensifies ambient heat and creates “burn pockets” underground.

Refining Crimchent requires specialized, high heat forges capable of sustaining extreme temperatures. Standard forges will crack or melt trying to work it. Once mined, the ore must remain heated throughout the forging process cooling it even briefly can cause it to harden prematurely and become unusable.

In the past, Crimchent was mistaken for simple lava rock or warming stone. Only recent breakthroughs in elemental metallurgy revealed it could be shaped like true metal if you maintain constant temperature and move swiftly between heating and shaping phases.

A quick tempering dip not a full cooldown is enough to finalize the form. Once set, the item becomes almost impossible to reforge.