Heartforge
The Heartforge is a legendary furnace carved deeply underground on top of The Armour of Or, the largest and most deeply excavated of Iridia’s magical scales, within the dwarven stronghold of The City of Or. Fueled by fissures emanating from The Armour of Or. The Forge is operated by Harthrûn Metallurgy (a dwarven craftsmanship). Developed through a fragile alliance between the Flatstone Family and the Order of the Veiled Current, the Heartforge harnesses Scalewrought Veins to produce extraordinary metals and alloys, its power tied to the Aurorhythmic Resonance Cycle (ARC).
Structure and Design
The Heartforge is a towering edifice of two teardrop shaped stones laced with red veins from the Armour of Or. Standing next to each other it looks like a heart, Its central chamber channels the Scale's rhythmic energy through fissures lined with Rune's that pulse with resonance. Dwarven runes of strength and Order sigils of secrecy adorn its surface, reflecting its dual purpose.
- Height: 40 feet, dominating its cavern.
- Fuel: The Armour of Or's Resonance
- Output: Veilsteel, Scaleforged Ores, and advanced Alloys.
Function and Products
The Heartforge taps into Scalewrought Veins—deep ore deposits infused with ancient scale magic—extracting Scaleforged Ores that grow stronger over time by absorbing ambient magic from the Heart. These ores, left unworked, bind deeper into their structure with each ARC, transforming functional items into legendary artifacts when forged at their peak. The Heartforge enhances this process, amplifying the ores’ Resonance.
Durngar Coalmantle made a instruction manual on how to operate the heartforge named The Codex of the Heartflame
Scalewrought Veins
Scalewrought Veins pulse with energy, their minerals altered by the lingering essence of Irion. Found only beneath The Armour of Or, they connect directly to the Heart, radiating its influence. The dwarves and the Order refine these into:
Warped Ores
| Image | Ore Name | Elements | Description | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Infernumite Ore | Fire, Arcane | A deep crimson ore with crackling blue energy veins, exuding intense heat and arcane power. | - Amplifies fire and arcane spells, enhancing fire magic precision. - Grants resistance to fire and heat, boosting magical focus. - Ideal for crafting wands, staves, or weapons. |
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Harmonius Ore | Tranquility, Sound | A smooth light blue crystal that resonates with a calming hum, bringing peace to surroundings. | - Creates a tranquil aura, reducing aggression. - Enhances sound-based magic, improving control over sonic spells. - Ideal for crafting instruments or calming artifacts. |
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Luminair Ore | Air, Light | A translucent stone that glows golden and shifts colors as it interacts with the wind. | - Amplifies air and light magic, improving control over wind and light. - Improves vision in darkness. - Used in creating lightweight, radiant gear. |
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Mirrorglow Ore | Reflection, Water | A reflective, silvery-blue ore that mirrors surroundings and amplifies light in water. | - Enhances reflective abilities, creating stronger illusions. - Amplifies water magic, improving healing and control. - Used to craft mirrors, shields, and reflective armor. |
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Titanstone Ore | Earth, Strength | A rugged stone with red and gold veins that pulses with inner strength, embodying earth’s power. | - Increases physical strength and endurance. - Enhances earth magic, improving control over rocks and seismic forces. - Ideal for crafting weapons or armor boosting fortitude. |
Alloys
| Image | Alloy Name | Elements | Description | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Aetherflare Alloy | Fire, Arcane, Tranquility, Sound, Air, Light | A shimmering, silver-blue ore infused with fire and arcane magic, emanating a calming warmth and soft, melodic hum. | - Creates an aura of serenity, calming those around it. - Amplifies fire-based spells with arcane precision and light enhancement. - Air stirs, carrying soothing sounds that restore clarity. |
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Serenite Alloy | Tranquility, Sound, Reflection, Water, Air, Light | A crystal-like ore with smooth, reflective surfaces, radiating a serene glow like moonlight over calm water. | - Reflects sound and light, creating meditative effects. - Amplifies water-based magic, making it potent for healing and purification. - Enhances tranquility, fostering emotional balance. |
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Zephyrstone Alloy | Air, Light, Earth, Strength, Reflection, Water | A translucent greenish gem with silver veins, shimmering like a morning mist, with power over air currents and earth. | - Boosts physical strength and endurance, enhancing stamina. - Reflects light and subtly manipulates air to create light winds. - Improves earth and water magic, making them more effective. |
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Pyrosol Alloy | Reflection, Water, Fire, Arcane, Earth, Strength | A dark stone with cracks of glowing orange fire within it, resonating with both earth stability and fiery volatility. | - Enhances fire and earth-based magic, with destructive and defensive capabilities. - Reflects attacks with fiery bursts when struck. - Increases physical strength, especially in those wielding both fire and earth powers. |
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Soilarium Alloy | Earth, Strength, Fire, Arcane, Tranquility, Sound | A gold-tinged ore that hums with subtle energy, blending earthy strength with fiery passion and arcane power. | - Amplifies strength and fire magic, ideal for warriors and mages. - Emits a calming vibration inducing tranquility, with harmonious sounds that ease tension. - Enhances arcane spells related to fire and earth. |
Veilsteel
A signature product of the Heartforge, Veilsteel is a lightweight, near-indestructible metal forged from Scalewrought Veins and Memory Shards. Its shimmering surface shifts with faint runes tied to Irion’s essence:
- Properties: Resists corrosion, absorbs minor magical impacts, and glows briefly when struck.
- Uses: Blades, armor, and Vigil Tokens—commemorative discs forged during The Vigil of the Deep.
History
Origins
The Heartforge arose after The Deepening Fracture (Arc 130), when dwarven tunneling breached a Veil Thread barrier near The Passage of Or, exposing the Heart’s influence on Scalewrought Veins. The Order proposed the furnace to refine these ores, with Karath Flatstone championing its construction despite resistance from Myyra Flatstone.
Construction
Completed over three years, it required:
- Dwarven mastery of Harthrûn Metallurgy, led by the Heartsmiths.
- The Order’s planar expertise, aided by Veiled Iridians who aligned Memory Shards.
- Quartz and onyx from Triz Valley to anchor the structure.
Evolution
Initially forging basic Veilsteel, the Heartforge adapted to process Scaleforged Ores as miners uncovered richer veins, unlocking the alloys’ potential by Arc 135.
Cultural Significance
The Heartforge is a cornerstone of dwarven identity, revered by Heartsmiths as a sacred tool and celebrated in The Vigil of the Deep, where families forge Vigil Tokens for lost miners. Yet, its reliance on the Heart divides Or—traditionalists decry its foreign influence, while innovators hail it as a new era.
Notable Figures
- Karath Flatstone: Pushed for the Heartforge’s creation, seeing it as Or’s legacy.
- Drenna Coalspike: Council member who, after a forging mishap, claims to sense the Heart’s rhythm.
- The Threadwalker: A Veiled Iridian overseeing the Memory Shards’ integration.
Risks and Future
The Heartforge’s draw on the Heart risks destabilizing The Armour of Or, with tremors hinting at an awakening. The Council of Elders monitors its output, while the Merchants Guild seeks its alloys. The Order believes it could unlock Irion’s secrets, but at what cost?