An analysis of the use of Mithral as a Material.
It is common knowledge across Golarion that the wondrous metal of mithral has many useful properties. It is strong, like steel, but much lighter and therefore easier for a man to carry for long distances. It is also the bane of many horrible creatures - werebeasts being the most famous - and is known to have a lesser impact on the mind when worn as armor. In this essay, however, we shall examine the use of Mithral as a building material as it applies to Khalharum.
The Basic Facts
Mithral is available at a standardized price of 500 gold pieces per-pound throughout much of the world. It is less expensive than the even-tougher adamantine, but more so than other interesting materials like darkwood.
Positives of using Mithral as a material
The main arguments in favor of mithral were cited in the introduction to this piece - to wit, the fact that it is strong, lightweight, and the bane of certain creatures. Any city of decent size is clearly wise to invest in at least several mithral items that can be stored in the armory and taken out for use against threats known to be weak to them. At other times, they can be usefully hung when meeting foreign dignitaries to impress them with the wealth of the city - a not so minor consideration, and one with the potential to reap excellent returns if used to help create trading contracts and so forth.
Of course, what is metal without someone to work it? Buying mithral also gives the city an opportunity to open diplomatic relations with one or more factions of dwarves - who, let us be honest here, tend to be the best at finding and selling this precious metal. Such relationships can be expanded upon to help provide other items the city may need.
Negatives of using Mithral as a material
The primary argument against the use of mithral is that of cost - while its price is helpfully standardized, it quickly grows to vault-emptying levels if purchased in more than fairly small amounts. A single mithral weapon may cost more than an entire building, and be less useful against threats than simply hiring more guards to defend the city.
In other words, even with all of its benefits, mithral represents a certain amount of opportunity cost. Furthermore, valuable materials are natural targets for thieves, so we would have to spend even more to properly ensure its safety against a reasonably talented intruder.
In our judgment as one of the rulers of Khalharum, however, we believe that small amounts of mithral are appropriate - indeed, often necessary - for a city of respectable size. While the acquisition is not urgent (and many other projects have priority), it is entirely appropriate to make several such purchases once the economy of the city is strong enough to support such measures. We welcome suggestions on which types of objects (specific types of weapons, etc.) would be most appropriate for the city to acquire. As always, emphasis is placed on practicality over ornamentation.
Azri, Bearer of the Archon Stave
The Basic Facts
Mithral is available at a standardized price of 500 gold pieces per-pound throughout much of the world. It is less expensive than the even-tougher adamantine, but more so than other interesting materials like darkwood.
Positives of using Mithral as a material
The main arguments in favor of mithral were cited in the introduction to this piece - to wit, the fact that it is strong, lightweight, and the bane of certain creatures. Any city of decent size is clearly wise to invest in at least several mithral items that can be stored in the armory and taken out for use against threats known to be weak to them. At other times, they can be usefully hung when meeting foreign dignitaries to impress them with the wealth of the city - a not so minor consideration, and one with the potential to reap excellent returns if used to help create trading contracts and so forth.
Of course, what is metal without someone to work it? Buying mithral also gives the city an opportunity to open diplomatic relations with one or more factions of dwarves - who, let us be honest here, tend to be the best at finding and selling this precious metal. Such relationships can be expanded upon to help provide other items the city may need.
Negatives of using Mithral as a material
The primary argument against the use of mithral is that of cost - while its price is helpfully standardized, it quickly grows to vault-emptying levels if purchased in more than fairly small amounts. A single mithral weapon may cost more than an entire building, and be less useful against threats than simply hiring more guards to defend the city.
In other words, even with all of its benefits, mithral represents a certain amount of opportunity cost. Furthermore, valuable materials are natural targets for thieves, so we would have to spend even more to properly ensure its safety against a reasonably talented intruder.
In our judgment as one of the rulers of Khalharum, however, we believe that small amounts of mithral are appropriate - indeed, often necessary - for a city of respectable size. While the acquisition is not urgent (and many other projects have priority), it is entirely appropriate to make several such purchases once the economy of the city is strong enough to support such measures. We welcome suggestions on which types of objects (specific types of weapons, etc.) would be most appropriate for the city to acquire. As always, emphasis is placed on practicality over ornamentation.
Azri, Bearer of the Archon Stave