Despite its brittle appearance, when properly forged it can yield extraordinarily sharp edges. The metal faintly glows in darkness and is known to resonate with cosmic energy, often humming in low, mournful tones when exposed to the right frequencies of celestial light.

Possesses unusual superconductive properties, channeling ambient arcane energies. When wielded or refined, it may subtly alter emotional states, imbuing the bearer with both potent power and a deep, melancholic introspection.

Rare alloys are formed when Threnodyte is combined with other otherworldly substances—such as celestial obsidian or fragments of ancient glass—yielding compounds like Threnalum and Aurathren, sought after for their ritualistic potency.

Typically found in remote meteorite craters, often situated in regions where the Bleakening’s energy is most concentrated. Its occurrences are linked to regions of the world where the veil between mortal despair and divine sorrow is thinnest.

Born of the fiery demise of ancient, sorrowful stars, this metal is believed to be imbued with the divine essence of Ylnarah—a crystallized remnant of her eternal tears and cosmic grief during the world’s fracturing Bleakening.

Essentially immortal under normal conditions; however, exposure to extreme arcane fluxes or rituals of unbridled sorrow can slowly sap its inherent potency, causing minute degradations over eons.

Ancient texts recount epic battles fought with weapons fashioned from Threnodyte and its role in sanctifying relics that shaped the destinies of kingdoms. Its use is interwoven with divine myths and is often a symbol of power granted through suffering.

First discovered amidst the cataclysmic events of the Bleakening, it was unearthed by mystics during a rare meteor fall. The discovery is now enshrined in both legend and ritual, with secretive cults guarding the knowledge of its origins.

Primarily used for high-caliber weaponry, ceremonial armaments, and artifacts of immense symbolic importance. Only those deemed worthy—often divine smiths and chosen warriors—can work the metal without succumbing to its melancholic effects.

In the lore of both the Tearbound and the Ashen Watchers, Threnodyte is considered a sacred material. It’s used in rites intended to commune with the divine, in crafting relics that are symbols of both power and penalty, and as a tool to remind mortals of the enduring pain of creation.

Largely eschewed by the mundane world due to its rarity and inherent dangers, it is reserved almost exclusively for the crafting of items steeped in ritual significance rather than for mass production.

The metal requires elaborate, closely guarded rituals to purify and shape it. Refinement involves exposing the ore to controlled bursts of arcane energy and ceremonial incantations that restore its lost potency after each forging cycle.

Products include finely honed swords, ethereal shields, ceremonial staves, and talismans. These items are renowned not only for their physical resilience but also for their ability to channel or ward off metaphysical energies.

The refining process often yields residual “cosmic dust”—a potent ingredient in alchemical potions and ritual concoctions, prized for its ability to enhance or temper sorcery.

Mishandling the ore or exposure to its raw form without proper ritual protection can lead to debilitating sorrow, spectral hauntings, or even a slow, creeping madness. Prolonged contact may cause an emotional drain, leaving the bearer bereft of hope.

Mining and refining Threnodyte disturb the local arcane balance, often leaving behind scarred, otherworldly landscapes where the fabric between worlds is thinner. These sites are frequently monitored—or cursed—by local spirits.

The metal can be melted down and reforged without loss of its inherent properties if done under the strict supervision of a master divine smith and with the proper restorative rituals; however, repeated cycles may gradually erode its mystical potency.

Trade occurs almost exclusively in clandestine markets, ritual exchanges, and guarded auctions among secretive cults and divine smiths. Public trade is heavily restricted, and items made from it are often marked as both blessed and taboo.

Typically stored in consecrated vaults and guarded sanctuaries—often within the secure, hallowed halls of the Cathedral of Veils or the arcanum of the Ashen Watchers, sealed with potent wards that preclude mundane interference.

None.