Orichalcum

Orichalcum is a rare metal that is magically inert.

Properties
Orichalcum exhibits many properties similar to aluminum. It has a relatively low density for a metal, approximately one-third that of steel. This makes it noticeably lighter than most metals and highly malleable. Orichalcum has a dull, yellowed color, though paler than brass.

Orichalcum's most noteworthy quality is that it is magically inert. Often confused for antimagic, this is not quite the case.

Inertness
Magic cannot directly act upon orichalcum. This means that orichalcum cannot be directly enchanted and passes through any magic without being influenced. Orichalcum can be used to block magic, but only if it completely blocks a spell from its point of origin. For example, a plate of orichalcum could stop a directed beam of magic, but would not stop an area of effect that could blossom around the edges of the plate.

Orichalcum is best known as the preferred method for mundane humans to dispatch wizards. Orichalcum shot will pierce the Rites of Fortification that wizards use to protect themselves from harm and have sufficient force to deliver a lethal blow.

The exact mechanics of orichalcum can be exploited by clever users. While orichlacum cannot be acted on directly by magic, various indirect means can be used to act on it; for example, a magical explosion cannot affect orichalcum, but mundane shrapnel thrown up by the explosion will.

Trade and Legality
The movement of orichalcum through the world of Ethos is difficult because of its inertness, as orichalcum cannot pass through an Astral Gate. Ironically, it can be carried without complication on a League Bright Causeway.

Orichalcum is illegal to possess within the League of Nine. Most of the world's known orichalcum is in the possession of the Circle of Solace. The Circle does not employ a monopoly, but controls the majority of the supply. As a result, orichalcum is prohibitively expensive to obtain without Circle approval.