Lore:Metals

Metals, alloys and ores are numerous in Tamriel and have been used by blacksmiths and craftsmen throughout history in a multitude of ways, ranging from construction, armor, weapons, decoration, household items and many more.

 



Adamantite
right
Adamantite was used by blacksmiths to forge arms and armor in the style of the   during the mid- , and was widely available.  
 

Adamantium
right|thumb|The Helm of Tohan
 
 

Antimony
right
Antimony was used in jewelry crafting during the mid- . Jewelry imbued with antimony granted the wearer increased vitality. 
 

Argentum
right
Argentum was used by blacksmiths to forge arms and armor in the style of   and primal folk during the mid- .  
 

Brass
right
Brass is a brownish metal used by artisans and craftsmen throughout history in innumerable ways, ranging from jewelery, devices, decoration and household items.    

Brass was notably associated with the   by way of its alias - the "Brass God", however its unknown if the Dwemer actually used the metal in its construction. Similarly, a piece of polished brass was used to represent Numidium in the construction of the  .  Brass was also widely used in the creations of Sotha Sil, such as the Clockwork City, factotums, and fabricants. Its alchemical properties can be used to enhance agility. 

Tempered brass was used by blacksmiths to forge arms and armor in the style of   during the mid- .   
 

Bronze
right
Bronze is a soft brownish alloy consisting primarily of   and  .  It has been used by blacksmiths and craftsmen throughout history in innumerable ways, ranging from jewelery, armor, weapons, decoration and household items.   Bronze is said to easily mistaken for  , so much so that some craftsmen have been known to create fake replicas of Dwemer arms and armor using the metal. 

The usage of bronze among the armies of various races is notable, particularly in the  . In the early days of King  's reign,   was limited, so bronze plate armor made up the bulk of his army's cuirasses.  Similarly, bronze metal featured heavily in ancient Orcish breastplates.  Bronze was also used extensively by the ancient pre-    tribes in the forging of their arms and armor.  During the mid- , it was used by blacksmiths to forge arms and armor in the style of   clans.  

Bronze is also used widely in the art of bronzing, whereby a layer of bronze is applied to a surface, giving it a bronze finish. Notable examples include the  , who sometimes observe a tradition where they bronze their amputated body parts after replacement. 

Teeth are sometimes bronzed, particularly in Breton culture where the teeth of young children are bronzed and saved as a remembrance.  . Other times, the teeth of daedroth are bronzed and crafted into items, such as hairpins. 
 

Buoyant Steel
right
Buoyant Steel, also known as Frog Metal is a little-known metal said to be lighter than most other metals. Its origins are unclear, but scholars have theorised that it may have been created in the   by  , who originally discovered an alchemical alloy to provide armor for early Elven marines. They alloy was said to have prevented them from sinking to the bottom if they fell overboard. The   were known to have used Buoyant Steel, possibly gathered from the bottom of the sea, to create powerful enchanted armor.  
 

Calcinium
right|thumb|An exposed Calcinium deposit
Calcinium was used by blacksmiths to forge of arms and armor during the mid- . Calcinium was smelted from reddish-golden ore deposits that could be found almost anywhere during this time period. 
 

Cassiterite
right
Cassiterite was used by blacksmiths to forge arms and armor in the style of the ancient   during the mid- . Mined cassiterite takes the form of grey sand, which could be found throughout Wrothgar during this time period.  
 

Chromium
right
Chromium was a golden metal used in jewelry crafting during the mid- . Raw chromium takes the form of grains, that when refined would produce platings that could be used to fortify pieces of jewelry. 
 

Cobalt
right
Cobalt was used in jewelry crafting during the mid- . Jewelry imbued with cobalt granted the wearer increased magicka. 
 

Copper
right|thumb|An exposed copper deposit
Copper is a dark orange metal used by various artisans and craftsmen. During the mid-  copper seams were commonly found near cliffs and mountains across  .  Mined copper can be ground into dust and refined into small ingots that can be used to create jewelry,  household items or tools.  Blacksmiths have also been known to use copper as accents or decorations when creating arms and armor.  . Its alchemical properties can be used to detect magic. 

Its earliest know usage dates back to the  , when ancient  ic and   civilizations used copper in various crafts.   Copper was used prominently throughout the  , from copper wiring found inside in  s   to the artificial trees and shrubs that dot the land.  
 

Corundum
thumb|right|An exposed corundum seam
Corundum is a dark orange metal used by blacksmiths and craftsmen. A freshly exposed surface of corundum had a yellowish-orange color and when extracted produced corundum ore. This ore could further be smelted into ingots, or combined with iron ore to create steel.  

Corundum was used by blacksmiths to forge arms and armor in the  ic style during the mid- , and was widely available.   Steel plate armor can be made by adding steel to molten corundum. The resulting alloy is stronger than either metal by itself. Corundum is said to be a finicky material, requiring the heat from the forge to be steady and not vary much. 

Corundum was relatively common throughout   in the early  , and the province was home to several Corundum mines. 
 

Dibellium
right
Dibellium was used in jewelry crafting during the mid- . 
 

Dwarven Metal
thumb|right|A Dwarven Metal ingot 
 
 

Electrum
thumb|right|An exposed electrum deposit
Electrum was used in jewelry crafting during the mid- . Silver electrum deposits were commonly found near cliffs and mountains across   during this time period.  Mined electrum can be ground into dust and refined into small ingots that can be used to create jewelry. 
 

Galatite
right|thumb|An exposed Galatite deposit
Galatite was used by blacksmiths to forge of arms and armor during the mid- . Galatite was smelted from pinkish ore deposits that could be found almost anywhere during this time period. 
 

Gold
thumb|right|Gold ore
Gold is a valuable metal predominantly minted into coins by the Empire to be used as currency by the whole of Tamriel. It is also sometimes used in jewelry and armors. Its alchemical properties can be used to charm individuals. 
 

Iridium
right
Iridium was a blue metal used in jewelry crafting during the mid- . Raw iridium takes the form of grains, that when refined would produce platings that could be used to fortify pieces of jewelry. 
 

Iron
thumb|right|An exposed iron deposit
 
 

Lead
thumb|Lead
Lead is a metal used primarily in alchemy. Its properties can be used to fall from great heights at a slower rate. 
 

Liquid Silver
thumb|A vial of Liquid Silver
Liquid Silver is a rare, heavy, viscous metal often thought to have healing or life-prolonging properties. It is also believed to have a severely adverse effect on werewolves and so crossbow bolts infused with liquid silver are highly prized by groups such as the Fighters Guild. 
 

Lodestone
thumb|Lodestone
Lodestone is a metal used primarily in alchemy. Its properties can be used to fortify agility. 
 

Madness Ore
thumb|right|Madness ore
 
 

Malachite
thumb|right|A piece of Malachite ore
 
 

Manganese
right
Manganese was used by blacksmiths to forge arms and armor in the style of the  s during the mid- , and was widely available.  
 

Mercury
thumb|Mercury
Mercury is a metal used primarily in alchemy. Its properties can be used to increase speed. 
 

Meteoric Iron
right
 
 

Mithril
thumb|right|A full suit of Mithril armor
 
 

Molybdenum
right 
Molybdenum was used by blacksmiths to forge arms and armor in the style of the  s during the mid- , and was widely available.  
 

Moonstone
thumb|right|A piece of Moonstone ore 
 
 

Nickel
right
Nickel was used by blacksmiths to forge arms and armor in the style of the  s during the mid- , and was widely available.  
 

Orgnium
thumb|right|Pyandonean heavy armor
 
 

Orichalcum
thumb|right|An exposed Orichalcum deposit
 
 

Palladium
right
Palladium was used by blacksmiths to forge arms and armor in the style of the  s during the mid- .  
 

Pewter
thumb|right|An exposed Pewter deposit 
Pewter was used in jewelry crafting during the mid- . Pewter deposits were commonly found near cliffs and mountains across   during this time period.  Mined pewter can be ground into dust and refined into small ingots that can be used to create jewelry. 
 

Platinum
thumb|right|An exposed Platinum deposit 
Platinum was used in jewelry crafting during the mid- . Platinum deposits were commonly found near cliffs and mountains across   during this time period.  Mined platinum can be ground into dust and refined into small ingots that can be used to create jewelry. 
 

Quicksilver
thumb|An exposed Quicksilver seam
Quicksilver was a silver metal used by blacksmiths and craftsmen. A freshly exposed surface of quicksilver had a blueish-white color and when extracted produced quicksilver ore. This ore could further be smelted into ingots.  During the mid-  quicksilver ore deposits could be found almost anywhere in Tamriel. 

Quicksilver was used by blacksmiths to forge various arms and armor. It melts at a much lower heat than  , but with some skill can be mixed with it to forge Elven arms and armor.   Similarly, it can be mixed with Ebony and Steel to forge Nordic arms and armor.

Quicksilver was relatively rare throughout   in the early  , and the province was home on only one quicksilver mine.  
 

Rubedite
thumb|right|An exposed Rubedite deposit 
Rubedite was a high-quality metal used by blacksmiths to forge of arms and armor during the mid- . Rubedite was smelted from shiny dark red ore deposits that could be found almost anywhere during this time period. 
 

Silver
thumb|right|An exposed Silver vein
Silver, also known as "moon-kissed ore" by the Reachfolk,  was a precious metal used by blacksmiths, craftsmen and jewellers throughout history in innumerable ways. 

A freshly exposed surface of silver had a greyish white color and when extracted produced silver ore. This ore could further be smelted into ingots.  Mined silver could also be ground into dust and refined into smaller ingots that were used to create jewelry.  It is said working with silver requires more skill compared to iron or steel.  

During the mid-  silver deposits were commonly found near cliffs and mountains across  .  The  ic city of   is famed for its silver mines, particularly in the early   where it was said to have been the source of half the silver in Skyrim.  

Silver weapons are said to be especially effective against   and the  .   As such, silver arms and armor were used extensively by groups of werewolf hunters, namely the   and the  .   In other cases, weapons were sometimes plated or filigreed with silver to achieve similar effects.  Silver's alchemical properties can be used to cure magic. 
 

Stalhrim
thumb|right|A sarcophagus packed with Stalhrim 
 
 

Starmetal
right
Starmetal was used by blacksmiths to forge arms and armor in the style of the  s during the mid- , and was widely available.  
 

Steel
right|thumb|A pile of Steel Ingots
Steel is a silver alloy consisting primarily of   and  .  It can also be created by refining from a light orange ore known as High Iron.  It has been used by blacksmiths and craftsmen throughout history in numerous ways, ranging from armor, weapons, decoration and household items.   It is said working with steel requires less skill compared to silver.   

Steel has been used by many races in   since ancient times. The  s of the   used steel to forge much of their arms and armors, many of which survived into the  .   During the early days of King  's reign, steel was limited in supply, so bronze plate armor made up the bulk of his army's cuirasses.  

The   were believed to use a rare alloy know as Ebon Steel to create certain vamidium  , and weaponry.  However it is unknown if this alloy actually contained steel or has been simply named as such.

The  ns of the   were masters of metalcrafting and used precise steel forging techniques to create their famed swords. Low-carbon steel was used to form the core of their swords, then high-carbon steel used to form the skin of the sword.  They were also known to record much of their knowledge in tomes of steel plates, such as the Cartulary of the Tamed Dunes. 

During the mid- , the   were known to use a supple alloy known as Lillandril Steel in their bow crafting. This form of steel was said to be as durable as it was ductile, allowing them the create slender yet powerful bows.  

Steel weapons and armor are standard issue for the  . Because steel is inexpensive, heavy steel plate armor and steel shortswords are made in large quantities and many are trained in its use.  

Accoring to Nordic blacksmiths, the most superior steel in all of Tamriel is that which is produced at the  . Skyforge Steel maintains a near-mythical reputation in  , where many believe the souls of ancient Nordic heroes are what give Skyforge Steel its strength.    
 

Titanium
right
Titanium was used in jewelry crafting during the mid- . During this time period, titanium deposits were commonly found near cliffs and mountains across  . Jewelry imbued with titanium granted the wearer more protection. 
 

Voidstone
thumb|right|An exposed Voidstone deposit 
Voidstone was used by blacksmiths to forge of arms and armor during the mid- . Voidstone was smelted from dark purple ore deposits that could be found almost anywhere during this time period.  It was used by Daedric craftsmen to craft rivets which were components of  . 
 

Zinc
right
Zinc was used in jewelry crafting during the mid- . Jewelry imbued with zinc granted the wearer increased stamina. 
 

Zircon
right
Zircon was a metal used in jewelry crafting during the mid- . Raw zircon takes the form of grains, that when refined would produce platings that could be used to fortify pieces of jewelry. 
 

References