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

[Psikerlord#]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Nothing to see here.

 

[Psikerlord#]

what's "lfg"?

"Low Fantasy Gaming" RPG

 

[Thomas Bowman]

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

 

[Umbran]

"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.

 

[gatorized]

"Low Fantasy Gaming" RPG

oh, context made it sound like he was referring to a comic or podcast or something