Nightsilver
| Nightsilver | |
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| Official Name | Nightsilver |
| Common Nicknames | Starlight Ore, Sca’Elle Prej’sanirall (Sca’Elle's Gift/Present) |
| Origin | Altalar |
| Uses | Weapons, Armor |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Accessibility | Altalar, Noble Orders |
Nightsilver is a unique substance made out of magically blessed and chemically altered Steel, first created by the Altalar of old. While initially cherished for its important role on the battlefield against the ancient Varran states and in slaving operations carried out across Aloria, the substance ultimately morphed into a status symbol of Altalar power and purity, kept primarily as display pieces and used to denote prestige and nobility in the grand halls of ancient Altalar homes and palaces. It was once said to hold immensely powerful properties, but it is said that the original catalyzing spark in most Nightsilver died out from it being reforged too many times through improper methods. While it has retained its storied beauty and sheen, it does not qualitatively differ from steel. It is however known that several ancient Nightsilver pieces, primarily armor laid hidden in Allorn crypts of old, do retain their elder magics, and are within the grasp of the bravest and most famous of adventurers (can be obtained through Progression missions).
History
Nightsilver has been part of Altalar history since the earliest known records of the Allorn Empire, with technique to forge Nightsilver as we know today taking approximately two centuries to perfect. It was initially used in the creation of religious artifacts and decorative icons for the temples to the Altalar Pantheon, particularly to the deity who helped the Altalar create it, Sca'Elle. Over time though, the Altalar learned of its ability to be transformed into beautiful, slender armor to protect themselves and took to it rapidly as a superior material. Nightsilver quickly became a prestigious possession for Altalar nobility and warriors, and has remained so up until modern times, though most inventories of it were destroyed in the Wildering. Altalar smiths up until the modern day are still capable of creating it, but while it still shines with the same luster, it bears none of the potency- much to their frustration. Many a grandmaster has delved into the jungles of Teled Methen seeking the secrets of true Nightsilver reproduction, only never to return.
Characteristics
Appearance
Nightsilver is a beautiful metallic substance that can appear different depending on what it is used for. It is created when an Altalar forms Steel with the aid of Essence of Night: a mixture of clean water, a pinch of Silver flecks, dried Lady’s Shine, and repeated incantations in praise of Sca'elle and his guidance. In its raw state, Nightsilver looks much the same to Steel. The only difference is the glittering blue sheen that covers all parts of the material, said by some to have looked like a clear night sky. When used to make the scale-styled mail uniquely designed for Nightsilver, the substance is brilliantly shiny, like the finest polished Silver in Aloria. When used in the creation of weapons, most often the Altalar Glaive Sword or other blades used by the Altalar, these weapons have a dark blue color and appear almost crystalline. In addition, when an article of ancient, Magically imbued Nightsilver is swung and wielded in the open air, it leaves behind a trail of gentle sparkles reminiscent of stars in the night sky-- the reason for the substance's namesake. This is how treasure hunters devise that they have found the real thing and not its modern derivation. The material as it exists now is as strong as Steel as either a weapon or armor.
General Uses
Nightsilver is used exclusively by the Altalar to adorn themselves for battle. It both helps with battlefield recognition of Altalar units, and suits the aesthetic sensibilities of the Teledden Princes, who adore the glimmer of their soldiers' armor in the lazy evening sun. While ancient Nightsilver had extremely potent protective properties, nowadays the material only serves for appearances, though possession of it is considered a mark of a 'true Altalar'. Because of its religious symbolism and nationalist connotations, the Altalar keep it fiercely out of the hands of other peoples, and have been known to start wholesale riots over the loss of just one or two articles of Nightsilver. Even if they do not have the magical powers the metal was originally known for, they still hold a dear place in most Altalar hearts, and they will fight over them.
Abilities
Nightsilver has the ability to alter its appearance based on the shape it has been morphed into. In its base and unforged form, it appears merely as blue-tinged shining Steel. When altered into traditional Altalar armor, it grows exceedingly bright and shiny, lacking any tints of blue at all. When it is formed into weapons, the blue coloration returns as the blades created using it takes on an almost crystalline appearance in a deep shade of blue. It is also in this form that sparkles, appearing almost like starlight, emanate out from the weapon’s blade as it moves through the air. Nightsilver creations hold no outright benefit over simple steel, other than their aesthetic uses. The original Nightsilver held deep in Altalar ruins is said to be capable of anything from resisting Orcish warhammer blows to deflecting crossbow bolts, but the veracity of these claims lies in doubt, even to the Elves who propagate them.
Trivia
- Nightsilver weapons and armor captured by the Regalian Empire are unheard of. In the Elven War of 302 AC, while many pieces were taken from defeated officers and important guards, all of them were stolen or destroyed by Altalar agents.
- Nightsilver does not rust.
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