WTF is "cold iron", and why's it so special?

Psikerlord# · Jul 2, 2017

As I understand it cold iron is iron, just another name for it. In LFG however I made it: Weapons forged of cold iron (the oldest and purest iron ore, mined deep and sometimes exhibiting mild ferromagnetism) are best against Demons and Undead

As a means of bypassing immunities without needing a magic weapon (and I made silvered weapons useful against lycantropes and aberrant terrors).

Kobold Stew · Jul 3, 2017

This blog post here crossed my feed today, which does not concern the science of metallurgy but the place of iron in historical superstition and lore.

Salamandyr · Jul 3, 2017

Kobold Stew said:
This blog post here crossed my feed today, which does not concern the science of metallurgy but the place of iron in historical superstition and lore.

was just coming here to post that link. It's some great background information.

Bill Reich · Jul 9, 2017

In old Gaelic tradition, the folks of Faery were unable to handle "cold iron," which certainly included heated iron and definitely included steel. It's a folklore thing that works if it fits your ideas about the setting but it isn't necessary if you don't want to use it.

--
Bill Reich
https://sites.google.com/site/grreference/home/05-the-black-mountain/at-the-high-point-inn

gatorized · Aug 9, 2018

Psikerlord# said:
As I understand it cold iron is iron, just another name for it. In LFG however I made it: Weapons forged of cold iron (the oldest and purest iron ore, mined deep and sometimes exhibiting mild ferromagnetism) are best against Demons and Undead

As a means of bypassing immunities without needing a magic weapon (and I made silvered weapons useful against lycantropes and aberrant terrors).

what's "lfg"?

Michael Silverbane · Aug 9, 2018

Nothing to see here.

Psikerlord# · Aug 10, 2018

Mike R said:
what's "lfg"?

"Low Fantasy Gaming" RPG

Thomas Bowman · Aug 10, 2018

Are their any spells that could freeze an iron crow bar so it can be used against demons?

Umbran · Aug 10, 2018

"Cold iron" is not about physical temperature, nor about forging.

It is about the things the fae are sensitive - emotional/spiritual/magical content, or the lack thereof, and symbolism. Iron is cold in the way that a person who lacks empathy is cold. It represents mankind's separation from the natural world, or humans taking command of their own fate in defiance of the magics of the past. Iron, and the technologies that come with it, are what allows people to no longer be subject to the whims of the world, and the whims of the fae.