Marvellous Materials

Gold


What is Gold?

A Brief Introduction

In the real world

gold

is a chemical element, with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. It is. a dense, lustrous yellow precious metal that has been valued highly throughout history for its beauty and rarity.

Gold

has been used for thousands of years in jewellery, coins and as a symbol of wealth and power across many cultures. It is also used in electronics, dentistry, and as a standard for monetary systems in the form of ‘gold bullion’.

Discovery of Gold

World of Legends

The discovery of gold, happened in Delvheim during the Great War. The few that braved the mines and kept working in the midst of the war, discovered upon a new metal; gold ore. It didn’t appear to be a durable metal, it was soft and easy to manipulate. Despite it being unfit for use, the workers couldn’t deny its beauty. In an attempt to settle the disputes, the miners ran to the city to show off their new metal.

One miner, Orvar, proposed using gold to establish Delvheim. He became the reason as to how gold became of use and value in a variety of ways; adorned with other shiny materials and decorations, use it to exchange for goods instead of bartering.

Many only believed steel was the only metal of value. However, others admired Orvar for his plans and strategy to use gold for the benefit of the city. He was eventually dubbed, Orvar Goldbrand, and believed he would better the people if he ruled Delvheim.

It was a good choice, as Delvheim became more pronounced, under Orvar’s leadership. Goldsmithing soon became the new trade in the region and it wasn’t long after that the currency of gold coins were developed.

Uses of Gold

World of Legends

Weapons

While gold may not be used due to it being malleable, it can be used to decorate weaponry. One example would be the Mir’Tyela;
Extract taken from The Collector shop and Mir’Tyela item description.

Element: Air | Light
Weapon Stat: Base Damage +8. Stack +1 per Rank. Bonus Damage +1 with Archery Mastery Certificate. Success depends on Dice Roll.
✦ Plot Effect: +2 points of burning damage is applied for the first 4 rounds. This damage stacks to max +8 on 4th round.

Where Eagles fly so follows the arrows shot from Mir'Tyela. A work of master craftsmanship, this legendary bow combines enchanted tree bark, gold, and eagle feathers to create a weapon steeped in superstition and mythos. Even its arrows, seeming to radiate light in all directions as they soar through air and water alike, are rumoured to be crafted with pure starlight itself. A mighty bow for a dedicated archer, let its light and magic guide you ever onwards.

Buildings

During the build of the new capital city of the Akashi Empire, the City of Orellen, was completed and the Emperor Orellen, moved into the new palace, an enormous masterpiece made of gold and stone. Decorated with lavish statues and stained glass windows.

Jewellery

A variety of jewellery can be made out of gold and other similar materials for people to wear. Here is an extract taken from Blacksmithing: The Jeweller’s Secrets;

- Rings; small round metal pieces with a hole in the middle, as to put the finger in it, can optionally also have a gemstone on top of it. The method used for this is bending, so that the ring becomes circular.
- Amulets; a small metal piece often containing a gemstone, hanged around the neck using a chain. Multiple methods will have to be used here due to several different pieces making one thing when combined.
- Bracelets; slightly larger than rings, but still round and with a hole in the middle, this is put on the arm though, instead of a finger. Also commonly made of metal, with an optional gemstone in the top, or many around the whole bracelet. Often not completing the circle, leaving a little hole between two ends, so that it’s easier to put around the arm. Bending is also the most common method for making this.
- Earrings; Very small metal pieces often containing small gemstones in them, used for decoration by hanging from the ear. These are highly complex to make, as you need to be very delicate while making them, due to their size. They come in a multitude of forms and shapes, and as such has several different methods used in crafting them.
- Pins; Also very small, mostly made of metal but maybe a little gemstone on the front. It’s commonly used to hold two pieces of clothing together, but can also be used for decoration.
- Medallions; A metal piece resembling a medal like thing, can be used for a prize, often crafted in gold, silver, or bronze, as to indicate 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in a competition.
- Lockets; A small metal piece, that can open and contain a small picture, or something else inside of it.
- Brooches; A slightly larger metal piece than a pin, but it is used in the same way, but more common to have gemstones in them.
- Bolo ties; A leather cord, going around the neck with metal pieces on both ends, sealed with a clasp or slide, made by metal. Just used for decoration, as a lot of jewellery.

If you had unlimited gold, what would you use it for? Comment your answers down below!

~ The Mystic, Hecate