Orichalcum

**Orichalcum** is the magical metal of Atlantis.

## Overview

Orichalcum is a fabled mineral with magical properties.

## History

### Creation

It was created by ancient Atlantean alchemists sometime before 45,000 BCE. The mineral was a commonly known one during the time of ancient Atlantis, having been used to trap sorcerers. After the sinking of Atlantis, it would later be commonly employed among the Thierna Na Oge.

### Pre-Cataclysmic Age

**Orichalc**, or **Orichalcum**, was the lost, legendary magical metal of Atlantis, and a rare Atlantean mineral.

### Hyborian Age

The Orichalcum's legend survived in the Hyborian Age's Hyboria world-continent.

#### Age of Conan

Eight thousand years after the Great Cataclysm; Avalon the largest surviving island of Atlantis flourished through the trade of gold and orichalcum.

In the Age of Conan, the materials necessary to make Orichalcum were very hard to come by. Daedikaron seemingly managed to produce some, which he used to fashion his wings, treated with Vril.

After boarding a valley from descendants of Atlanteans, Conan found a casket of Orichalcum containing a map of the isles of Antillia.

### Modern Age

Orichalc was required for the spell assembled by the Logomancer to destroy the Aqueos. Namor used a liquid form of it.

## Objects in Orichalcum

* Orichalcum Wings
* Casket

## Properties

Orichalcum was told to be magical, and Orichalc was part of at least one spell.

When made into metal, Orichalcum has a high resistance to magic, making it suitable for trapping powerful sorcerers. It is also physically resistant against force, able to hold modern Atlanteans in place and Kryptonians. It's mystic origins also enable arms fashioned from it to wound a Kryptonian.

Despite it's resistance, however, it is possible for a very potent source of magic (such as a god) to be able to break through it's resistance.

The dreamscape hero Sandman also stated that when properly fashioned, i.e. in the shape of a whistle or otherwise, said metal can materialize a persons innermost wants and desires making them a thing of reality. Devil Ray successfully forged a trident from Orichalcum which he claimed rivalled the Trident of Neptune in power, and would be able to raise Atlantis back above the waves. The trident was capable of firing powerful energy blasts, controlling the minds of sentient beings and fusing Torrid and Gruff back together into Charybdis.

When heated to 3000 degrees Kelvin Orichalcum becomes highly radioactive. This radiation is instantly fatal to humans, except those with Deserter ancestry, meaning they are the only people who can safely work the metal.

Orichalcum is able to activate latent Atlantean DNA in humans with Atlantean ancestry, which has the effect of causing them immense pain.

It is capable of influencing both sentient beings and unintelligent beasts, either drawing them to it or driving them to specific places. The Deserters were able to record their knowledge and memories on a large boulder of it.

Devil Ray was able to use Orichalcum to astral project into duplicates made of water anywhere in the world. Meanwhile Gentleman Ghost could use it to project the consciousness of himself and others into the distant past. Using Orichalcum for extended periods is extremely mentally and physically taxing for the user.

## Owners

### Current Owner

* David Hyde/Black Manta
* D.E.O
* Torrid

### Previous Owners

* Atlantis
* Deserters
* Devil Ray
* Thierna Na Oge

## Notes

* Orichalcum, or aurichalcum, is a metal mentioned in several ancient writings, including the story of Atlantis in the "Critias" of Plato.
* Magic-themed armor and weapons is made of orichalcum and is, instead, considered to be a mystic mineral native to Thierna Na Oge. Felix Faust wears an Orichalcum helmet.