Dark Iron

Dark Iron is an igneous metal found only in the deepest cores of the greatest volcanos. Dark Iron can only form in the hottest of environments, and only when such places are uncorrupted by arcane magic. The Dark Iron Clan of dwarves deep within Blackrock Mountain take this ore as their principle namesake. They employ a forge constructed directly into a river of molten lava, the only place they could find that could generate the required amount of consistent heat, and were the first to work this extremely dense metal. Dark iron is very sensitive to magic. If corrupted by incorrectly cast spells, it fractures into useless powder. Magical enhancements must be woven into Dark Iron in a complex ritual as the newly forged item cools to just the right temperature and consistency. Once the item is complete, no further enhancements or enchantments can be added. Such attempts simply fail, wasting any ingredients used in the attempt. For this reasons, magic dark iron items must be created at the time they are forged. Items made of dark iron are a dusky gray color. They appear more like charcoal than metal, and if struck give a flat, dull tone instead of a metallic clang. Although they have a fragile appearance, dark iron items are exceptionally tough and resilient in weapons and construction.