Metals of the Realm

Metalsmith's Forge

Metals of Commerce

Copper is a red pure metal is useable in its native form (not extracted from ore). It is non-ferrous and costs 5 sp per pound. Copper is the most common of the metals of commerce. When used in armor, its base AC is 16. It is primarily used in minting a basic coin of the Realm and in many common household items.
Silver is a white pure metal is useable in its native form. It is non-ferrous and costs 5 gp per pound. It is an uncommon metal, and when used in armor, its base AC is 17. It is reported to have positive properties against the undead. Silver is used in jewelry, artisan items, and minting a basic coin of the Realm.
Gold is a yellow pure metal that is found in its native form as nuggets. It is a rare, non-ferrous metal and costs 50 gp per pound. It is rarely used for armor and weapons with a base AC of 16. Most commonly it is used in jewelry, fine household items, and minting a basic coin of the Realm.
Platinum is another white pure metal that is usable in its native form. Platinum is very rare. It is non-ferrous and costs 500 gp per pound. It has a base AC of 20, although it is too expensive for most military uses. Although used at one time for coinage, platinum looks too similar to silver and is no longer commonly found in circulation. It is most commonly used in jewelry.

Iron/Steel - iron is a dark, ferrous, malleable pure metal that rusts in moist air. It is the most common metal found in the Realm and costs 1 sp per pound. When alloyed with carbon, it forms steel - the basic material for most weapons and armor. Good steel is ferrous and sells for 4 gp per pound. Steel has a base AC of 19.
Cold Iron is similar to ferrous iron but found at greater depth and increasing scarcity. It is forged at lower temperatures and costs 4 sp per pound. Weapons made from cold iron have the properties of steel plus added bonuses against demons and fey. Its base AC is 20.
Mithril is a grey pure metal mined from soft glittering, silver-black ore. It is non-ferrous and exceedingly rare, demanding 2500 gp per pound on the open market. Lighter and stronger than steel, it provides the best terrestrial metal for making weapons and armor. Its base AC is 21.
Sky Metals includes exotic forms such as Adamantine, Abysium, etc. These are ferrous pure metal mined from meteorites, and a pound costs 5000 gp or more. Many sky metals have unusual hues - Adamantine being green when forged. Many have special properties. Adamantine's base AC is 23, for example.

Zinc is not a pure metal and must be processed from ore. It is typically mixed with copper to make brass. Few pure zinc uses, outside of alchemy, exist. It typically costs 3 sp per pound.
Tin is not a pure metal and must be processed from ore. It is non-ferrous and typically mixed with copper to make bronze. Few pure tin uses, outside of common kitchen utensils and alchemy exist. If used in military applications, tin has AC 12. Tin typically costs 3 sp per pound.
Lead is not a pure metal and must be processed from ore. It is non-ferrous and typically mixed with copper to make pewter. It is used in its pure form in the construction of buildings, lining of wells, and the like. Lead typically costs 2 sp per pound.
Nickel is not a pure metal and must be processed from ore. It is sometimes mixed with gold to make white gold. Few uses for nickel are known, and it is not commonly mined.

Brass is a yellow, non-ferrous alloy of copper and zinc. It is used in ceremonial (or inexpensive) armor, weapons and common items. A pound of brass costs 3 sp and has a base AC of 16.
Bronze is a yellow-brown, non-ferrous alloy of copper and tin. It is used in inexpensive armor, weapons and common items. Bronze costs 4 sp per pound and has a base AC of 18.
Pewter is a gray alloy of copper and lead. It is non-ferrous and is commonly used for kitchenware and cookware.
Electrum is a yellow-gold, non-ferrous alloy of gold and silver (commonly called "green gold"). Electrum is used in jewelry and fine technical instruments. A pound of electrum costs 25 gp. Used as a metal for coins in the past, electrum looks too similar to silver and is no longer in circulation.
White Gold is a yellow-gold, non-ferrous alloy of gold and nickel. While rumored to have magical properties, white gold is only used in jewelry and ceremonial items.
Rose Gold is a pink, non-ferrous alloy of gold and copper. It is rarely used in anything other than jewelry.

Mercury is the only liquid metal at room temperature. Commonly known as quicksilver, it has a number of alchemical and magical uses. It is always sold in small measures.
Titanium and Aluminum are used only in powder form for alchemy and theater.