D&D 5E Is adamantine a metal?

[TheCosmicKid]

While adamantine is used in D&D to refer to an extremely hard metal of meteoric origin, adamant is traditionally the hardest crystal and is basically synonymous with diamond.

But to be clear: adamant/diamond (same root) at bottom just means 'unbreakable thing'. It has been used variously for metals and gemstones over the ages. In Greek, what it is is kind of up in the air. In Latin, it's definitely a metal. It's not until I believe medieval French that diamond acquires the specific meaning it has today.

 

[TheCosmicKid]

I'd say that if your player wants to have a druid wearing heavy armor and there are no "natural" alternatives to be found (like Ankheg plate or Bullette plate) then it seems like a reasonable compromise is that the druid could wear the metal armor, but not be able to use the Shapeshifting power while the metal armor is on. Take the metal armor off and he would be able to use Shapeshifting.

This makes an extraordinary amount of sense. Druids don't wear metal armor because they can't shapeshift inorganic material. Erm, except for their scimitars and their coin purses. Druids don't wear metal armor because they can't shapeshift a lot of inorganic material.

 

[Igwilly]

I believe the druid’s restriction on metal armor has similar meaning as the fay’s weakness to iron: it’s symbolic. Metalwork is a symbol of progress, science and technology – changing nature. Fays were, basically, weak to man’s advancement as "nature bond creatures", and druids are nature priests: therefore, adversaries of technology – changing nature.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

Maybe druids are a lot closer to monks than just dressing in robes. If so, it might be a chakra thing, and covering your stomach or chest in metal might interfere with the wild shaping.

You know, they both use wisdom, and the monk/moon druid combo does get mentioned fairly often......

In 4e, I thought the primal spirits provided the computational power for druids to wild shape, and maybe metal covering certain body parts interfered with their signal.

 

[knasser]

"Don't drink don't smoke - what do you do?
You don't drink don't smoke - what do you do?
Subtle innuendoes follow
There must be something inside."

- Gudie Tushoos, Dwarven weaponsmith said to be the first to work with AdamAntine

I got it!


(Actually, I was going to make a similar joke but I figured nobody would know what the Hell I was talking about.)

 

[Celebrim]

Wasn't adamantine in 1st Ed originally fluffed to be meteorite iron or something like that?

IIRC, 'meteoric iron' in 1e AD&D was the least rare of the magic metals - but still quite valuable - and suitable for making weapons and armor of up to +3 puissance. I am pretty sure that in D&D Adamantine was different stuff, delved from deep in the Underdark, and the most valuable of the magical metals. But this is being pulled out of 30 year old memory, so take it for what it is.

 

[Ezequielramone]

I got it!


(Actually, I was going to make a similar joke but I figured nobody would know what the Hell I was talking about.)

I don't, explain yourself, please.

Thank you all for your time. I have to re-read all of this many times so I can pick the best option. I believe we'll allow metal armor but he could not shapeshift.

 

[Celebrim]

I believe the druid’s restriction on metal armor has similar meaning as the fay’s weakness to iron: it’s symbolic.

Well, if you imagine Druids as representing animist priests, it's easy to see the Druid's various restrictions as being taboos that they observe in order to appease the nature spirits. That is to say, the druid doesn't wear metal armor as a contractual obligation imposed on him by spirits of the land in exchange for their help. "If you show me you favor by never wearing metal armor, then when you call, I shall hear you and bend the wood and stone to your will. But if you dishonor me in this way, I shall never hear your supplications."

 

[cbwjm]

Sounds reasonable, gives an in game reason why they can't wear it other than just a fluff reason.

 

[Shasarak]

Personally I would lean towards making a Heavy Armour out of Dragon Scales.