Teikō Metal

It is a metal ore as black as night. that Is cold and very smooth to the touch

Teikō Metal possesses a unique trait it absorbs any magical energy applied to it, then slowly releases that energy back into the environment as inert, ambient mana. This diffusion creates little more mana in the area.

Because of this rare property, Teikō Metal is highly valued for crafting specialized protective gear. It has been used in everything from heavy armor for warriors to shielding suits for those working near ley lines or unstable magical zones. Due to its rarity and specialized nature, such equipment is typically reserved for elite units or specially commissioned squads.

Warning
Once Teikō Metal has absorbed too much mana, it loses its unique properties and behaves like ordinary steel until it slowly releases the excess energy over time. While it takes a significant amount of mana to reach this threshold, you won’t know the metal has become inert until it fails you most likely when you’re struck in battle.

It can take several hours for the absorbed mana to fully dissipate and for the metal to regain its magical dampening effect.

Pathfinder Rule

Crafting Cost
Weapon: +3,000 gp
Armor:   • Light: +7,000 gp   • Medium: +13,000 gp   • Heavy: +17,000 gp
Ammunition: +220 gp per unit

Special Properties

Weaponry:
Weapons forged from Teikō Metal ignore magical resistances and armor based spells (such as mage armor, shield, or stoneskin), striking as though those effects were not present.

Armor:
|When wearing Teikō Metal armor, all damage from offensive spells is reduced by half. Additionally, the armor can absorb a total of 30 spell levels before needing to be recharged or rested (DM’s discretion).

Ammunition:
Ammunition made from Teikō Metal ignores magical resistances and defensive spells, piercing through them as if they weren’t active.

Teikō Metal is found deep within the planet, often alongside other metals but only in extremely small quantities.

In ancient times, Teikō Metal was believed to be cursed. Its pitch black hue led many to associate it with darkness and evil. Only the most fearsome and malevolent warriors were thought worthy or wicked enough to wield it.

The origin of this belief traces back to its first known forging. When the Dwarves discovered Teikō Metal, they crafted a suit of armor from it for a wandering human warrior. That man would go on to become known in legend as the Black Knight a fearsome figure who traveled the land, challenging both champions and tyrants to deadly duels.

Though his true intent was to test the metal’s capabilities and earn a name for himself, his brutal methods and shadowy armor led many to believe he was a killer obsessed with proving his power. Over time, his reputation soured into myth, and know there are still people who see anyone wearing blackened metal or dark armor was feared, believed to be cursed—or worse, a villan.

Teikō Metal was discovered independently by Dwarves across multiple continents wherever Dwarvenkind delves deep, traces of this rare black metal eventually surface. Strangely, each Dwarven group seemed to conduct the same experiment: forging the metal into armor and testing its resistance to magic.

However, since Dwarves in olden day typically do not rely on magic as heavily as other races, many clans chose to have outsiders often adventurers or wandering warriors test the armor in the field. This decision would lead to many of the myths and reputations surrounding Teikō Metal today.

Teikō Metal is most commonly used to protect elite knights and powerful adventurers who battle magical creatures, dragons, cultists, and wizards.

In recent years, there has been a surge in efforts to develop protective gear for ley line specialists and those working in high-mana zones or unstable magical environments. Even some cursebreakers have begun wearing Teikō armor if they can afford its steep price.

Teikō Metal must be smelted and refined before it can be shaped. Once purified, it can then be forged or welded into the desired form.