Teikō Metal

Teikō Metal is a legendary black metal infused with dark magical energy, known across the lands for its ties to both heroes and villains alike. From ancient warlords to modern champions, many have wielded this rare material to forge their destinies.
Whether you seek to become the next Black Knight, slay magical beasts, stand against powerful mages, or simply look fearsome while doing it Teikō Metal is the metal of choice.
Come claim yours today, and begin crafting your custom armor and weapon worthy of legend.

Properties

Material Characteristics

It is a metal ore as black as night, cold and exceptionally smooth to the touch.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Teikō Metal possesses a unique trait: it absorbs magical energy applied to it, then slowly releases that energy back into the environment as inert, ambient mana. This diffusion slightly increases the surrounding mana density.
Because of this rare property, Teikō Metal is highly valued for crafting specialized protective gear. It is used in heavy armor, shielding suits, and magical containment structures. Due to its rarity and complexity, such equipment is typically reserved for elite units or specialized commissions.
It can take several hours for the absorbed mana to fully dissipate and for the metal to regain its magical dampening effect.

Pathfinder Rule

Crafting Cost
Weapon: +20,000 gp
Armor:   • Light: +25,000 gp   • Medium: +30,000 gp   • Heavy: +35,000 gp
Ammunition: +220 gp per unit

Weaponry:
Weapons forged from Teikō Metal ignore magical resistances and armor-based spells (such as mage armor, shield, or stoneskin).

• Ignores enhancement bonuses to AC and force-based AC effects
• Does not ignore physical armor (steel, leather, scales, etc.)

Armor:

• Reduces damage from all spells effect by half
• Reduces magical enchantment bonus from spell by half or doesn't work DM's discretion
• Spells cast by the wearer are also reduced in effectiveness by half

Spell Absorption Capacity:

• Light: 10 spell levels
• Medium: 20 spell levels
• Heavy: 30 spell levels

Once the maximum capacity is reached, the armor becomes inert until discharged.
Discharge Options:
Active Release: Full-round action

• All creatures within 5 ft (including the wearer) take
• 1d6 × absorbed spell level (darkness damage)

Passive Release:
Requires 24 hours in a dark, undisturbed environment
Ammunition:

• Functions the same as weapons
• Ignores magical defenses and force-based AC
• Does not bypass physical armor

Everything

• Cannot be enchanted
• Any magical enhancement applied is immediately absorbed and disrupted
• Even in an inert state, Teikō Metal continues to interfere with enchantments

Geology & Geography

Most commonly found deep underground near dark ley lines, though extremely rare deposits can form elsewhere at great depths.

History & Usage

History

In ancient times, Teikō Metal was believed to be cursed. Its pitch-black hue led many to associate it with darkness and evil. Only the most feared or ruthless warriors were thought capable of wielding it.
This belief began with its first recorded use. When Dwarves discovered Teikō Metal, they forged a suit of armor for a wandering human. That man became known as the Black Knight, traveling the land and challenging powerful figures to deadly duels.
Though his true goal was to test the metal and build his reputation, his brutal methods and ominous appearance led others to believe he was a merciless killer. Over time, the legend twisted, and even today those clad in blackened metal are often feared as cursed or worse, villains.

Discovery

Teikō Metal was discovered independently by Dwarves across multiple continents. Wherever Dwarvenkind delves deep, traces of this metal eventually appear.
Because Dwarves traditionally rely less on magic, they often had outsiders test its properties—adventurers, mercenaries, and wandering warriors. These early experiments shaped the myths that surround Teikō Metal today.

Everyday use

• Anti-mage armor and weapons
• Magical containment (prisons, vaults, training chambers)
• Reinforcement layers over other resistant materials

It is often combined with materials like Jin Clay/Stone or other resistant alloys to absorb excess magical overflow.

Refinement

Teikō Metal requires extreme heat to smelt and refine. It cannot be worked using enchanted tools or magical assistance doing so causes unstable reactions as the metal absorbs and disrupts the magic.
Improper forging can result in:

• Warped shaping
• Unexpected energy discharge
• Harmful magical backlash to the smith

Only skilled craftsmen using non-magical methods can safely refine it.

Type

Metal

Value

220GP- 1700GP +

Rarity

Rare to Very Rare

Color

Midnight Black

Melting / Freezing Point

2,500° and 2,800° F 1,371° and 1,540° C

Common State

Solid