DF Suggestions / Re: One more metal....
« on: August 23, 2007, 06:34:00 pm »quote:
Originally posted by hactar1:
<STRONG>How is adamantine different from mithril? Not only are they both unbreakable, light, and rare minerals that are only mined by dwarves in deep veins in the mountains, but it was also the Tolkien dwarves' greed for mithril that caused them to dig too deep and unleash Durin's Bane, which is precisely what happens in DF.</STRONG>
Well thats the thing, adamantine takes the place of mithril in the DF mythos. There are a few differences though. Instead of just being a really rare and deep forming metal, the adamantine forms this solid thin layer that seperates the mountain proper from this massive pit. We dont know much about the pit itself but suffice to say it contains BAD THINGS! Not only that but to get TO the adamantine you have to navigate pockets of demons.
From what i read of the next version, there will be like... 8 types of gypsum alone. So its quite probable that aluminum and titanium will show up in the future if they have not already been implemented.
So far we have copper/bronze/iron/steel/adamantine in order of effectiveness. Normally each metal should be unique, copper for example is highly conductive, this could be a factor in transferring heat. Bronze is harder than copper but what most people dont know is that it is nearly 1/3 heavier than steel. Each metal also reacts differently to compression and tension.
Aluminium would not be suitable for weapons, it is not strong enough to hold an edge. Aluminium arrow shafts would be superior to say, bone shafts but might not add enough weight to help out with damage. I make chainmail at home, mostly out of aluminium which is mostly considered "costume strength". Aluminium armour can work and is much better than bare skin but it requires specific alloys in a spring temper, plain aluminum is far too soft.
Titanium seems like the perfect replacement for steel. Its true that it is stronger than steel, but BY WEIGHT not by volume. That said the lesser weight is a huge advantage.
All that detail can be factored in later for added awesome. But that leaves out mithril. So to implement mithril, we either need to make it similar to existing metals and give it a unique source, or just create something entirely new.
Right now the elves in particular lack a strong material. On the whole goblins, humans and dwarves use iron. Since the elves do not mine from the rock, that leaves them with plant fiber and wood. Of course those can be combined to create powerful bows, but what do they tip the arrows with? Giving the elves mithril and the means to make it would balance out the playing field somewhat and also give them a very valuable trade good.
It IS a ripoff though, so is adamantine if we ever figure out who created the word. One game i came across called it Mithral instead, which i kind of prefer.
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