Lore:Dwarven Metal

Dwarven Metal refers to heavy, exotic metals used primarily by the Dwemer. It is usually copper in color, although it can also be yellow, grey or green. The Dwemer used the metal for everything, from architecture to cutlery. Notably, Dwemer Animunculi are composed of the metal. To the other races of Tamriel, it is primarily of interest for use in smithing weapons and armor.

Dwarven weapons are prized for their ability to resist corrosion and retain their edge, while Dwarven armor has distinctive impact-absorbing qualities. For this reason, Dwemer artifacts are highly prized by adventurers and collectors. The metal itself is rare and precious, scraps of which are prized both by collectors of antiquities and students of metals and enchantments. Only the most skilled blacksmiths have the ability to emulate ornate Dwarven craftsmanship, although the metal is often incorporated into cultural designs. Dwarven metal can only be obtained by melting down scrap metal recovered from Dwarven ruins.

Dwarven Ore is a naturally occurring ore deposit that can be found across Tamriel. While Dwarven ore bears a resemblance to Dwarven metal when forged, metallurgists have concluded that it has no connection to the metal harvested from actual Dwemer devices.