Cold iron = default?

[Kalanyr]

The terms iron and cold-forged iron have both been used in various sources that I've read, it's possible the original term iron meant cold-forged iron and the distinction was made after hot-forging it came in (making a superior weapon), or not, I haven't really done enough study on the topic to know.

 

[Tonguez]

I thought that iron itself was the bane of various fey spirits in mythology. Not any rare and special type of iron - simply "normal" iron.
Salt also had special properties in some legends, silver in others. I've liked the idea of making gold protect against mind-affecting magics (the more the better), thus providing the real reason why rulers wear golden crowns.

The term cold iron is used in the mythology but the folklore doesn't actually define what cold iron is - is if cold forged iron or just iron.
In 'On Stranger Tides' Tim Powers associates magic with blood (which contains 'hot' iron) and uses the idea that Cold Iron (any iron)dampens 'magic' in the same way adding vinergar can slow fermentation (iirc).

IMC I have used the idea that Silver is a 'Magic' conductor hence its use in wands whereas Gold is a magic diffuser (hence its use in wards, crowns and the plugs on genie bottles)

ergo
Silver - conducts the flow of magic
Gold - diffuses the flow of magic
Iron - dampens the flow of magic
Salt - is caustic to outsiders

 

[robberbaron]

I have to say that, at first, I was really against the inclusion of Cold Iron at all.
It just seemed too silly a concept to me.

But then I thought that, perhaps, it comes from a different iron ore which can be found in only a few parts of the world.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

in general the fey were considered to be rather chaotic, and often evil. check out some german and austrian opera, alot of it was inspired by similar mythology. in particular there's one song, which title escapes me at the moment, that describes a young boy who is killed by the king of the elves as his father tries to ride with him to safety.

"Der Erlkönig", from Johann Wolfgang Goethe, perhaps?
http://www.garten-literatur.de/Leselaube/goethe/goetherl.htm

Wer reitet so spät durch Nacht und Wind?
Es ist der Vater mit seinem Kind;
er hat den Knaben wohl in dem Arm,
er faßt ihn sicher, er hält ihn warm.
"Mein Sohn, was birgst du so bang dein Gesicht?"
"Siehst, Vater, du den Erlkönig nicht?
Den Erlenkönig mit Kron und Schweif?"
"Mein Sohn, es ist ein Nebelstreif."

"Du liebes Kind, komm, geh mit mir!
Gar schöne Spiele spiel ich mit dir;
manch bunte Blumen sind an dem Strand,
meine Mutter hat manch gülden Gewand."

"Mein Vater, mein Vater, und hörst du nicht,
was Erlenkönig mir leise verspricht?"
"Sei ruhig, bleibe ruhig, mein Kind;
in dürren Blättern säuselt der Wind."

"Willst, feiner Knabe, du mit mir gehn?
Meine Töchter sollen dich warten schön:
meine Töchter führen den nächtlichen Reihn
und wiegen und tanzen und singen dich ein."

"Mein Vater, mein Vater, und siehst du nicht dort
Erlkönigs Töchter am düstern Ort?"
"Mein Sohn, mein Sohn, ich seh es genau:
es scheinen die alten Weiden so grau."-

"Ich liebe dich, mich reizt deine schöne Gestalt,
und bist du nicht willig, so brauch ich Gewalt."
"Mein Vater, mein Vater, jetzt faßt er mich an!
Erlkönig hat mir ein Leids getan!"

Dem Vater grausts; er reitet geschwind,
er hält in den Armen das ächzende Kind,
erreicht den Hof mit Müh und Not;
in seinen Armen das Kind war tot.

Maybe somebody can find a english version of it. I took the first google link I found, but I used the german title. Note that it is called "Erlkönig", not "Elfenkönig", so I have no idea if you remember right or I associated right.

Mustrum Ridcully

 

[glass]

I believe the term 'cold iron' comes from a poem (I can't remember what, but I think it was by Kipling- I could be mistaken though). As such, it was probably put in there just to make the line scan.

In any case, I prefer to think of it as a low tech/high tech difference. In other words, steel is made in higher tech furnaces than iron. This makes sense in connection nature based fey: in a sense, iron has moved less far from its natural roots than steel.

Since, IMC, I don't have the demon/devil distinction, I use the same material for all demon type creatures (jade, in fact).


glass.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

I believe the term 'cold iron' comes from a poem (I can't remember what, but I think it was by Kipling- I could be mistaken though). As such, it was probably put in there just to make the line scan.

In any case, I prefer to think of it as a low tech/high tech difference. In other words, steel is made in higher tech furnaces than iron. This makes sense in connection nature based fey: in a sense, iron has moved less far from its natural roots than steel.

Since, IMC, I don't have the demon/devil distinction, I use the same material for all demon type creatures (jade, in fact).


glass.

The poem you were refering to: Cold Iron
Rudyard Kipling

GOLD is for the mistress—silver for the maid—
Copper for the craftsman cunning at his trade.”
“Good!” said the Baron, sitting in his hall,
“But Iron—Cold Iron—is master of them all.”

So he made rebellion ’gainst the King his liege,
Camped before his citadel and summoned it to siege.
“Nay!” said the cannoneer on the castle wall,
“But Iron—Cold Iron—shall be master of you all!”

Woe for the Baron and his knights so strong,
When the cruel cannon-balls laid ’em all along;
He was taken prisoner, he was cast in thrall,
And Iron—Cold Iron—was master of it all!

Yet his King spake kindly (ah, how kind a Lord!)
“What if I release thee now and give thee back thy sword?”
“Nay!” said the Baron, “mock not at my fall,
For Iron—Cold Iron—is master of men all.”

“Tears are for the craven, prayers are for the clown—
Halters for the silly neck that cannot keep a crown.”
“As my loss is grievous, so my hope is small,
For Iron—Cold Iron—must be master of men all!”

Yet his King made answer (few such Kings there be!)
“Here is Bread and here is Wine—sit and sup with me.
Eat and drink in Mary’s Name, the whiles I do recall
How Iron—Cold Iron—can be master of men all!”

He took the Wine and blessed it. He blessed and brake the Bread,
With His own Hands He served Them, and presently He Said:
“See! These Hands they pierced with nails, outside My city wall,
Show Iron—Cold Iron—to be master of men all:

“Wounds are for the desperate, blows are for the strong.
Balm and oil for weary hearts all cut and bruised with wrong.
I forgive thy treason—I redeem thy fall—
For Iron—Cold Iron—must be master of men all!”

“Crowns are for the valiant—sceptres for the bold!
Thrones and powers for mighty men who dare to take and hold.”
“Nay!” said the Baron, kneeling in his hall,
“But Iron—Cold Iron—is master of men all!
Iron out of Calvary is master of men all!”

It was in Rewards and Faeries - quite possibly my favorite of Kiplings works, along with Puck of Pook's Hill .

You can find a great deal of
Rudyard Kipling's work at the site linked.

The Auld Grump