Oerthblood
| Oerthblood | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type: | Metal ore |
| Publishing | |
| First published: | Return of the Eight (1998). |
Oerthblood is the name given to a molten, dark red, ferrous metal. Once it has cooled, it is black, dense, easily enchanted and nearly impervious to damage.[1] Knowledge of the ore goes far back into antiquity, at least to the time of Queen Ehlissa.[2]
"It is thought by some to be the residue of creation."[2] In places where ley lines exist, the invisible forces can sometimes cause manifestations in the physical world. These can include strange magical substances being created from nothing.[3] Though it is not specifically stated, this may be how oerthblood is formed,[1] as it shares descriptive similarities to the "foaming stone" formed from a ley line in adventure, The Star Cairns.[3]
Several famous magical artifacts found in the World of Greyhawk, such as Heward's Mystical Organ and parts of the infamous Machine of Lum the Mad are made from oerthblood which has been worked and then enchanted.[1]
Beneath Castle Greyhawk, in its deepest and most guarded levels, lies the Oerth Stone, a quasi-sentient artifact rumored to be crafted entirely from the purest oerthblood ever found. Its powers are reputed to have played an essential role in Zagig Yragerne's elevation to demigodhood.
Oerthblood is dangerous to handle in its unworked form, typically constructs and other automatons are used in mining it because of their ability to withstand its unpredictable magical radiations, as well as the heat and often poisonous gases that are given off by impurities while in its molten form.[1]
Several locations around the Flanaess are reputed to have deposits of oerthblood. The most famous is the archmage Tenser's castle, the Fortress of Unknown Depths.[1] Deep under the castle is an ancient mechanism called the Endless Well. It is from this device that most of the raw oerthblood presently found in magical arms, armor, devices and artifacts around the Flanaess was taken.[1] Oerthblood has also been found in the mines beneath the city of Irongate.[2]
Oerthblood can be alloyed with other metals, such as mithral, iron, or steel.[2]
See also
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Grohe, Allan. "Artifacts of Oerth." Dragon #294. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2002.
- Holian, Gary, and Denis Tetreault. "Irongate: City of Stairs." Dragon #351. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2007.
- Moore, Roger E. Return of the Eight. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998. 0-78691-247-2
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oerthblood | Item | Artifact, | Dragon magazine #294 | 93 |
| Oerthblood | Item | Artifact, | Dragon magazine #351 | 45 |
| Oerthblood | Item | Artifact, | Oerth Journal #23 | 26,28 |
| Oerthblood | Item | Artifact, | Oerth Journal #24 | 52 |
| Oerthblood | Item | Artifact, | Oerth Journal #25 | 28 |
| Oerthblood | Item | Artifact, | Return of the Eight | 2, 33, 47, 48 |