Gold is a precious metal valued for its rarity, color and resistance to tarnishing. Its primary uses are minting coinage and crafting jewelry and other art objects.
Characteristics[]
Gold is a heavy, shiny yellow metal. It does not rust, and is particularly resistant to tarnishing. It is softer than iron, and easily melted down and worked. It is usually mined in its pure form.
Uses[]
Gold is highly valued in most cultures, and primarily used to mint coinage and produce jewelry and works of art.
Coinage[]
In most worlds, gold forms the currency standard. Most major cities and nations mint a gold piece, a coin representing a fixed weight of gold. Prices of goods are frequently given in gold coins, even if other forms of payment are used such as silver coins or barter trade.
Artworks[]
Objects of adornment are often made from gold. Jewelry, sometimes inlaid with gemstones, can serve as as both a decorative garment and a portable store of wealth.
Due to its high value and weight, very large items like statues are rarely made from gold, but may be plated with gold or inlaid with gold filigree. Tapestries and clothing may be sewn with gold thread.
Gold is symbolic of wealth and power, and the crowns of royalty are often made from this material.
Equipment[]
Gold is too soft to make effective weapons and armor. However, the artisans of Faerûn use alchemical treatment to produce a form of gold which is hard as steel. Weapons made this way are heavier and more deadly in the hands of a warrior trained to handle the weapon's weight, while armor of this gold is heavy but resistant to fire and acid.[1]
Related[]
Creatures[]
Several creatures are named for "gold" for their natural resemblance to the precious metal, with some constructs made from gold.
Most famous is the gold dragon, but another is the gold horror.
References[]
- ↑ Magic of Faerûn (2001), p.177-180.