Steel
| Steel | |
|---|---|
| Use | Weapons, Armor |
| Bonus | +0 |
| ST/DU | {{{str}}}/0 |
| Rarity | Very Common |
| Weight Modifier | 100% |
| Primary Color | Steel |
| Dyeable | Yes |
Steel is the default material for weapons and metal armor. Given the non-magical nature of steel, it isn't very commonly used by adventurers that can afford materials such as mithril or vultite, although it is still a widely used material in Elanthia.
Steel is a product of smelting iron with a low oxygen content and a high carbon content. The carbon becomes a part of the alloy on the surface of the iron, displacing the lattice structure of the iron, therefore increasing strength and durability at the cost of brittleness.[1] Therefore, steel weapons can be made thinner and lighter than iron weapons. This is why bronze weapons were more prominent before advanced smelting processes were developed, as they could be lighter and stronger than an iron weapon, but a steel weapon is superior to a bronze one. Note: The properties of iron are significantly superior to those of bronze in GemStone IV despite this fact. Bronze weapons do not oxidize like iron, are considerably less brittle, and have a lower casting temperature.[2]