copyright 1995-1998 by Ken Lipka & Josh Rintamaki
additional suggestions by Cory Gurley

We created these metals to both add flavor to the campaign, as well as compensate for the fact that permenant magical items were going to be very rare. We felt that most planewalkers would rather own weapons and armor made from these metals rather than rely on potentially unpredictable magical ones. The logic in this article is based on assumptions made prior to the publication of Hellbound, in which TSR finally explains how in the heck the Baatezu and Tanar'ri actually fight each other without the use of magical weapons.

The important columns to note are the "Magic Equiv." and "Origin" ones. These two columns determine what creatures may be harmed by these metals. That is, if a creature needs a +2 or better magical weapon to be harmed, any metal with a +2 or higher in the "Magic" column could be used to harm the creature - maybe. This is where the origin of the metal comes into play. If the +2 creature is Planar, then only a +2 or better Planar metal will affect it (thus, Mithril or Adamantium are useless). The same rule applies if the +2 creature is from the Prime - only +2 or better Prime metals can be used. However, in all cases, vulnerabilities that don't rely on magic still apply - a werewolf is still harmed by Silver regardless of the origins of the monster or the metal.

STEEL
This is the standard in most areas of the planes when it comes to weapons and armor. While there may be many different colors and textures depending the Prime World or Plane of origin, one steel is much the same as the other. All standard stats (weight, cost, speed, etc.) of armor and weapons reflects the fact that they are made out of steel.

FINE STEEL
This classification refers to steel that has had extra time spent on it. Either a few extra runs in the refining of the raw metal, perhaps a bit more time spent in the balance of the blade or the angle of the armor plates; a craftsman made this metal. This grade can be found on any Prime or Plane. Due to the workmanship, items made of Fine Steel weight 10% less than normal and cost 10x as much. Weapons gain a +1 to hit OR damage.

EXCEPTIONAL STEEL
This grade of steel is reserved for steel that is no longer pure. Something extra has been put into the mix, creating an alloy that is superior to either of its parts. This metal is only available from Master Craftsmen, those who spent their lives refining their art. Again, found on any Prime or Plane, items made of this metal weigh 50% less than normal, and cost 100x more. Weapons gain +1 to hit AND damage as well as gaining a -1 bonus to weapon speed.

IRON
This was the first metal used to make armor and weapons. It has some drawbacks that caused it to be replaced by steel. However, there are times when are fighting a creature that is vulnerable to this metal, thus a small number of weapons are still crafted from it. Although Iron doesn't cost any more than Steel (1x), it weighs 25% more and can rust if not carefully maintained. Weapons suffer a +1 penalty to weapon speed.

SILVER
While normally reserved for jewelry and monetary uses, there are certain creatures which are vulnerable to this metal - especially undead and lycanthropes. As such, weaponsmakers usually keep a small supply of Silver weapons on hand. Being a softer metal, it is not preferred for everyday use. Items made of silver cost 25x more than Steel. Weapons do 1d2 LESS damage (ie. A 1d6 short sword now does 1d4); Armor suffers a -2 penalty to its protective value.

GOLD
Again, this metal normally finds it use as an object de arte or as money. But nobles like to make cermonial items from it, and there are a few rare monsters which can only be hurt by golden weapons. Items made of Gold cost 200x more than normal, and weigh 100% more. Weapons do 1d4 LESS damage and suffer a +4 penalty to weapon speed; Armor suffers a -4 penalty.

BRONZE
This metal is the bridge between Iron and Steel. Many cultures exclusively use Bronze due to its greater availability and cheaper cost. Items made of Bronze cost 0.67x that of Steel. Armor suffers a -1 penalty. (While functionally the same as Steel, it is a softer metal. Thus, there should be more maintenance required as well as an increased chance of breaking.)

METEORIC IRON
This metal is only found on the Prime Material and even then is uncommon at best. It is forged from ore garnered from stars that have fallen to ground, or harvested from amongst the rocks of space. It suffers from the same weight penalty as Normal Iron, but doesn't rust and performs much better in combat. Items made of Meteoric Iron weigh 25% more and cost 150x as much. Weapons gain a +1 to hit bonus, do 1d2 MORE damage, but suffer a -1 penalty to speed; Armor gains a +1 bonus. Additionally, objects made of this metal gain a +1 bonus to all saving throws and have the ability to strike creatures which normally require +1 magical blades to harm them.

MITHRIL SILVER
This rare metal is only found in the hands of the elves of the Prime Material. The secrets of its making are closely guarded; any who have tried to steal them are dead. Mithril is usually the metal most treausred by the Clueless, both for its excellent combat performance and for the fact that it affects monsters the same as normal Silver. Items made of Mithril weigh 30% less and cost 250x more. Weapons gain a +2 hit bonus and 1d2 MORE damage; Armor gains a +1 bonus. Additionally, objects make of this metal gain a +2 bonus to all saving throws and have the ability to strike creatures which normally require +2 magical blades to harm them.

ADAMANTIUM
This is the most powerful of the Prime metals as well as the rarest (counts as Very Rare). It is only found within the depths of certain Prime worlds; as such, it usually only in the hands of those who live deep underground. Items made from Adamantuim weigh 25% less and cost 500x more than normal. Weapons gain +3 to hit and 1d2 MORE damage; Armor gains a +2 bonus. Items also have +3 to saving throws as well as being able to affect creatures of +3 enchantment restrictions.

LOW-GRADE ADAMANTIUM
This is much less pure alloy of normal Adamantium. While it is not as strong as its parent metal, it has the advantage of not dissolving in sunlight (if used by Drow). It is most commonly used by raiding parties from the Underdark in cases where the risk of people and equipment being captured is high. Items made of Low-grade Adamantium weigh the same as their steel counterparts and cost 150x more than normal. Weapons gain a +1 to hit and +1d2 MORE damage; Armor gains a +1 bonus. Items count as +1 magical weapons and gain a +1 to all saving throws.

BAATORIAN GREEN STEEL
This is the first of the purely Planar metals that is common used for armor and weapons. While it is the most common of the "better" metals, it is considered an Uncommon find. It is used in the Blood War not only because it is far superior to normal steel, but it can also strike any planar creature, regardless of magical restrictions. Items made of Green Steel weigh 40% less and cost 300x more than normal. Weapons gain +1 to hit, -1 bonus to speed, and do 1d2 MORE damage; Armor gains a +2 bonus. All items also have a +2 to saves and can strike all creatures of +2 enchancement.

TANAR'RI RED STEEL
This metal is very similar to Green Steel, but is a little more scarce (counts as Rare). It is also a standard armament in the Blood War is it acts just the same as Green Steel with regard to the creatures it may harm. Items of Red Steel weigh 40% less and cost 400x more. Weapons gain +2 hit, -1 bonus to speed, and do 1d2 MORE damage; Armor gains a +1 bonus. All items also have a +2 to saves and can strike all creatures of +2 enhancement.

CRANOR (Tree-gold)
This material isn't metal at all. Rather, it is made from the sap of evergreen trees from the forests of Arborea, Arcadia, and the Beastlands. The sap, once treated and hardened, resembles amber but is as hard as a diamond. Cranor is highly resistant to fracturing and denting, but it is prone to chipping. Despite this potential problem, tree-gold is highly prized by those who hunt blue dragons; the material, not being metal, is essentially immune to electrical attacks. (Rumors persists that tree-gold can actually store electricity, but these remain unproven.) Items of Cranor weigh 50% less and cost 100x more than normal items. Weapons gain +1 to hit; Armor gains a +2 bonus. Cranor items receive a +2 to all saves, but +5 vs. electricity.

LAEN (Steel Glass)
This is another non-metal that is popular with armorers and weaponsmiths. Laen is a form of crystalline gem that is mined primarily on the Quasi-Elemental Plane of Mineral, but can be found in small deposits in some planar mountains. In raw form, the gem is a dark gray color; when refined for weapon or armor use, it takes on a transparent property, hence the alternate name. Steel Glass sees use because it actively resists heat, actually getting stronger. (Thus, to work the material, extreme cold must be used.) Items of Laen weigh 20% less and cost 500x more than normal items. Weapons gain +2 to hit AND damage; Armor gains a +2 bonus. Laen items receive a +2 to all saves, but +5 vs. fire/heat and no bonus to cold attacks.

GITHYANKI MITHRIL
This is a Very Rare Planar metal. It resembles the silver expanse of the Astral Plane, making it both good protection and camoflage at distance. It is the exclusive property of the Githyanki. All of their special Silver Swords are made from this metal, as well as the armor of any Gith of importance in their society. In addition to bonuses similar to the Green and Red Steels (affects all Planar creatures), it has the added benefit of not hindering psionic activity in the slightest (i.e. no penalties for wearing metal armor if made from Gith Mithril). Items made of Gith Mithril weigh 30% less and cost 600x more than normal. Weapons gain +2 hit, and do 1d2 MORE damage; Armor gains a +3 bonus. All objects have +3 to saves and can strike creatures of +3 enchantment.

DWARVEN BLACKROCK
This is THE Planar metal. All Planars dream of being able to even SEE an item made from this metal, let alone own one. It is found only in the very depths of the Dwarven Mountain in the Outlands and Mt. Clenedaggen in Aracadia. Like the other planar metals, it can harm any planar creature. Items made of this VERY VERY RARE metal weigh 50% less and cost 1000x normal Steel. Weapons gain +3 to hit, -1 bonus to speed, and do 1d4 MORE damage; Armor gains a +4 bonus. Objects gain +4 to all saves and can strike +4 magically protected creatures.