Magic ore
From World of Gothic
Magic ore is one of the most valuable resources available for mining. Its largest deposits are located in Khorinis, a large island located off the coast of Myrtana, and it can be used to forge weapons of unmatched power.
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Overview
Properties
The magic ore, as its name suggests, possesses inherent magical traits. A single lump carries only a small charge, but a large amount of it can amass an amazing magical charge, which was used by the Water Mages of the New Camp as the backbone of their plan to break the barrier.
Unfortunately, the ore's magical properties dissipate when it is smelted and forged. However, the blades retain their everlasting sharpness and indestructibility, giving any army that is equipped with them a serious advantage over any enemy. Only the smiths of the Hammer Clan in Nordmar knew the secret of ore processing that would allow the ore to retain its magical properties.
The Old Mine in Khorinis could dig up up to two hundred sacks of ore per month, with additional twenty that were smelted into bars on site.
Examples
Two best known item forged from pure magic ore is the Ancient Ore Armor. It forged for a general of the human armies who fought against the orcs, and it has survived years lying in misuse, still retaining its magical qualities, proving just how resilient magic ore based items can be.
History
The ore, ever since its discovery, was a crucial resource to the Kingdom of Myrtana. A steady supply of it to royal forges allowed king Rhobar II to affirm his position and ensure the integrity of his kingdom, as his armies eventually defeated all enemies.
Except one. The Orcs.
Realizing that the ongoing war with the orcs drained the strength of the kingdom and more and more weapons were needed, an edict by the king declared that all criminals would be sentenced to work in mines, digging up magical ore to fuel the war effort.
To ensure that the miners would keep digging, he ordered thirteen mages, seven from the Order of Innos and six from the Circle of Water, to perform a very delicate and sensitive ritual, that would erect a Barrier around the Valley of Mines of Khorinis and imprison the miners and their overseers inside. However, the delicate spell has been perverted by the presence of the Sleeper, an orcish demon, and it covered a much larger area than originally intended.
The prisoners quickly moved in and took control of the entire penal colony, murdering royal knights that were supposed to guard them. Cornered, the king decided to strike a deal with the inmates and in exchange for ore, he would provide them with food, water, weapons, armor... even women. This status quo was maintained for over ten years, until one convict managed to destroy the barrier.
Freed, the prisoners escaped the valley and Khorinis stopped supplying Myrtana with the precious resource. In response to this, the king sent an elite detachment of paladins with Lord Hagen as commander aboard the caravel Esmeralda to estabilish the supply route once again. The paladins managed to reactivate several mining operations, but managed to excavate very small quantities of ore, around sixteen crates of the estimated needs of over one hundred sixty.
Eventually, lord Hagen himself decided to rescue the paladins stranded and besieged by orcs in the Valley of Mines, but even if he succeeded, he couldn't ship the ore to Myrtana as his ship was commandeered by the nameless hero.
Khorinis fell to the orcs, and it is safe to assume that very little, if any, magic ore is still being mined.