Orichalc/Orichalcum
Orichalc and its refined form, Orichalcum, are the most valuable resources in New Atlantis. The metal is used in any construction that will interact with magic, as alloys made with the substance will store magical power with almost no degradation of the medium. In addition, pure Orichalcum can be worked into a form of magical battery, a necessary component for most modern conveniences in New Atlantis.
Orichalc is a magically-active metal ore that is found mostly in mines near to The Crimson Isle, which gets it's name from the distinct blood-red color of the ore. The unrefined ore is fragile, and powders when broken. While completely under the ground, it is relatively inert, but once an area greater than 5 square feet is exposed to the air, the deposit will react with active magic in the area. The result is generally that spells cast near exposed Orichalc fail, but some more powerful spells will result in explosions if they exceed the ability of the exposed ore to contain. The discovery of a deposit of Orichalc that is able to be mined will lead to a mad scramble among mining companies to be the ones to get access.
Orichalcum, the metal that results from refining Orichalc ore, is a brilliant crimson color that catches any light and seems to glow. Creating the metal is no easy feat, as the melting temperature of Orichalc is 2100 degrees Celsius under a fair amount of pressure; and the smoke that results is poisonous, especially to spellcasters. Once the metal, which is very malleable, has been refined it is used in religious art and architecture; as well as in creating magically receptive items such as weapons or armor. Orichalcum possesses the unique chemical property of bonding with any other metal or alloy compound without drastically altering the physical properties of the other substance. The result of such bonding is an alloy that is slightly redder than the unmodified form, and also possesses a greater capacity for holding magical enchantments. The hardness or durability of a substance is unaffected by the presence of Orichalcum.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Orichalc is a blood red metal ore that appears hard and solid, but easily powders on impact. The metal is almost completely inert in this state, and will only react when heated under pressure, or when exposed to active magic in the immediate vicinity. The range the ore will react to magic from is independent of the size of the sample; 144, twelve times twelve, feet are required to ensure safety.
Orichalcum is a brighter crimson color than the unrefined ore. The metal seems to shine red when exposed to light, and in areas of low-light it will appear to softly glow. It is also rather malleable, it does not need to be heated to be beaten into a useful form. Orichalcum tends to be found in long, rectangular, blocks; a shape that results from the apparatus needed to apply pressure during the refining process.
Physical & Chemical Properties
The ore and refined metal are both chemically inert unless under heat and pressure. The substance possesses a unique property that allows it to bond with almost any other metal into an alloy without altering the physical properties of the other metal, except for making it appear slightly more red.
While the ore is violently reactive with nearby magic, the refined ore will not absorb magic unless it is pushed into it. However, Orichalcum can store this energy for centuries, rather than days like most other metals.
Both forms of Orichalc are almost completely resistant to corrosion, a property that translates into any Orichalcum-alloy, and only appear to degrade when charged with magic. Even then, the process is very slow, and not dissimilar from Iron Oxidation.
Compounds
Orichalcum possesses the unique ability to bond with almost any metal. The only one of these compounds that is exceptionally common is Bronze-Orichalcum. Bronze is one of the few substances that is actually altered by making an Orichalcum-Alloy; it's hardness and durability are improved to be similar to iron or steel. Alloy mixtures with other metals are not uncommon, as only Orichalcum-Alloys can be enchanted beyond the most simple of magics.
Geology & Geography
The Crimson Isle is the site of the largest Orichalch deposit known. The further miners travel from the Isle, the deeper they have to go in order to find veins of the precious metal. The Kingdom of Mneussus, being the closest to The Crimson Isle, possesses the largest supply of Orichalc of all the Ten Kingdoms.
Origin & Source
The metal Orichalcum is refined from the ore, Orichalc, using heat of at least 2100C as well as intense pressure. The ore is mainly mined on The Crimson Isle, as well as in the Kingdom of Mneussus. There are scattered mines in other areas, most are constantly under threat of monster attack.
Or
Type
Ore/Mineral
Odor
Odorless, Orichalcum Alloys are rendered odorless
Taste
Completely Tasteless. If storing a spell, it will taste bitter, sour, or salty; based on whether the spell is Defensive, Offensive, or Curative in nature
Color
Deep Red
Boiling / Condensation Point
Unknown, Incredibly High
Melting / Freezing Point
2100C
Common State
Solid
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