Editing Naq-Alrama Steel

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Naq-Alrama'' Steel}}
'''''Naq-Alrama'' Steel''' is a magical metal alloy forged by the desert tribes of [[Chandrar]].

== Properties ==
''Naq-Alrama'' is a heavy metal. One longsword can weigh as much as 15 pounds.<ref name=":0">[https://wanderinginn.com/2020/02/26/7-10-k/ Chapter 7.10 K]</ref> Parts of its composition include Adamantium and Serraleun (Aluminium).<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2020/08/02/7-38/ Chapter 7.38]</ref>

''Naq-Alrama'' is a magical alloy that can easily hold enchantments, and can cut magic like water. This allows it to pierce magical enchantments<ref name=":0" /> and harm [[Djinni|Djinnis]].<ref name=":1">[https://wanderinginn.com/2021/06/06/8-26-fk/ Chapter 8.26 FK]</ref>

It is near-indestructible and does not bend, even under the weight of an [[Grand Elephants|Oliphant]]. To break it at all, one needs the force to shatter it completely. This is why when it does break, the entire piece explodes.<ref name=":0" /> However it wears down faster than [[Adamantium]] or [[Mithril]], and so unlike items made from these materials, Naq-Alrama products tend not to survive the passing of the ages.<ref>{{VERef|Heroes of Hraace (Pt. 3)}}</ref>

Even failed ingots of ''Naq-Alrama'' are as hard as diamonds, but they have no toughness, making them incredibly brittle. It can still destroy magic, but is destroyed by magic in turn, the two vaporising each other.<ref name=":1" />

== Forging Process ==
''Naq-Alrama'' Steel has a very complicated forging process. It is said to be twice as tricky to smith as Mithril, needing a [Blacksmith] over level 40 to work the metal,<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2019/05/07/6-14-k/ Chapter 6.14 K]</ref> and requires hundreds of steps.<ref name=":2">[https://wanderinginn.com/2020/09/13/7-46-k/ Chapter 7.46 K]</ref>

Forging the ingots to shape takes two months, and it must be perfect. No air must make its way inside or the ingot will be ruined,<ref name=":2" /> and it cannot be exposed to sunlight as the unworked metal hardens when exposed to it, rendering it untreatable and ruining the process.<ref name=":0" />

Every portion of ''Naq-Alrama'' is meticulously calculated by the smith and their assistants. Shaping the metal takes weeks of work until the final forge. The metal is worked on almost entirely in complete darkness or under moonlight, save for steps that require certain shades of light.

The metal is softened and purified in preparation to be forged in the Blue Full Moon's moonlight bath as a proper receptacle. The metal must be worked quickly as it hardens fast even under moonlight. The steel will be repeatedly hammered, softened, and hammered again.<ref name=":2" />

The heat must not fall bellow a certain threshold, and no magical fires are to be used.<ref name=":3">[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/08/04/interlude-flos/ Interlude - Flos]</ref> It is possible that Clan Tannousin's technique is used, heating the metal using a rune furnace within a vacuum created by their Shaman magic so that the metal is not burned and gains impurities.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2019/05/04/6-13-k/ Chapter 6.13 K]</ref>

At some later stage, the metal is worked in the radiance of the sun's zenith.<ref name=":2" /> After folding the metal, powder and an oil mixture must be applied before quenching the blade in light-bathed waters.<ref name=":3" />

== Trivia ==

* ''Naq-Alrama'' steel is one of the only mineral-based substances that Truestone cannot turn into.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2021/04/04/interlude-paradigm-shift-pt-2/ Interlude - Paradigm Shift (Pt. 2)]</ref>

== References ==
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[[Category:Metals]]