Iron

**Iron** is a chemical element with the symbol **Fe** andthe atomic number of 26. It is a common and ubiquitous metal on Earth and the New World.

## Overview

In its pure state, iron is a shiny white metal that is both soft, malleable and strong. On Earth, it is the 4th most plentiful element, and it is just as plentiful in the New World. Though iron by itself can used to form tools, weapons, vehicles and building materials, it is considered brittle and easily affected by corrosion or rust. As such, iron is most commonly used as an alloy, primarily as steel.

Other qualities of iron include its conductivity toward electricity and magnetic properties. As a result, magnetic iron is essential in electrical turbines and compasses.

## Steel

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, and is the most widely used iron alloy on Earth and the New World. The amount of carbon used will dictate the strength and overall quality of the steel. The amount of steel production is also an indicator of advanced a nation is.

## Uses

* Weapons
* Tools
* Transport
* Infrastructure
* Building material

## Iron in the New World

### Third Civilization Area and Outside the Civilized Areas

Iron and steel are available in these areas, but in relatively lesser quantities compared to the First and Second Civilization areas. Due to the fact that these nations are still between the medieval to pre-industrial eras, their production and processing levels of iron and steel products are limited to hand-forging methods, such as blacksmithing.

The most common iron and steel products are bladed weapons such as swords, spears and arrowheads. This also includes tools like knives, axes, hammers, and utensils. For building projects, wood and stone are reinforced with iron and steel frameworks, For transportation such as land and sea-going vessels, wood is enhanced and strengthened with iron and steel braces, joints and fasteners.

Though relatively common, iron and steel products are also used as a form of bartering medium. Before its fall, the Parpaldia Empire demanded a yearly tribute of slaves from underdeveloped nations in exchange for technology shares, which included iron nails and construction materials. When Japan appeared and offered the same infrastructure improvements to those nations, under far better terms, the Parpaldians lost control of their monopoly.

Apparently in the New World, iron and steel have some kind of magical quality or at the very least, can be enchanted with magic. The Parpaldian warships were equipped with magic cannons and anti-magic armor plating. However, these armaments and defenses proved inferior to Japan's military might.

### Second Civilization Area

Countries such as Mu, have reached a technological level that is comparable to the late 19th to early 20th century industrial age. As a result, iron and steel production is far greater in both quantity and quality. With this increase in production and processing, there came new innovations, such as the internal combustion engine, the automobile, the airplane and new types of metal ships.

Naturally, this also meant a huge step forward in terms of military might. The bolt-action rifle and the machine gun made bows and flintlock obsolete. Cannons and naval guns could reach farther. Armored ships were impervious to wooden vessels and their guns. The face of warfare would change as iron and steel became more prevalent.

### Gra Valkas Empire

With the appearance of the Gra Valkans and their armored battleships, the other nations would be shocked of how inferior their own naval forces were. In terms of iron and steel production, their ability to build ships at a massive degree surprised even the technologically superior country of Japan. The armor of all their battleships, including their flagship, the *Grade Atlastar**,* are just about impervious to all the other weapons of the other nations, except for Japan's. Most likely the armor belt is similar to ones found on the Battleship Yamato.

### First Civilization Area

Nations like the Holy Milishial Empire have also reached a high level of industry, but have included magic in all their technology, including its iron and steel production. As a result, their iron and steel do not have the same kind of quality as the other nations, but is enhanced with spells.

Unfortunately, this has proven to be a disadvantage rather than an advantage. First of all, some spells take a long time to cast, which is a detriment during combat. Secondly, even when strengthened by magic, modern weapons such as the Gra Valkas naval guns can still penetrate steel armor with little to no difficulty.

Interestingly, some First Civilized Area mining nations like the Meerky Kingdom, have a monopoly on magic gems and metals. For them, metals without magic are considered as 'junk ores,' including Titanium. As a result, titanium has a lesser value than iron. The nation is happy to sell titanium to Japan at dirt-cheap prices, thinking that the Japanese are foolishly buying worthless ore. Ironically it is they who are being swindled by Japan by not realizing the true value of titanium.

### Japan

Hailing from the 21st century, Japan has the highest quality of iron and steel products and production. Their military and civilian use of iron and steel are second to none and several methods of processing and refinement are still considered as proprietary secrets.