Minerals

Iron

Iron ore is comparatively rare in the main world; coupled with the relative scarcity of sturdy wood, this has led to a number of effects:

• Iron is considered a precious metal and is commensurately expensive.
• Tools are generally iron plated (if at all) rather than solid iron.
• There is a much higher reliance on stone and bronze in toolcrafting.
• Technological advances have been retarded by the dearth of raw material.

There have been some attempts at forays into other worlds to acquire high-quality iron ore; however, these have been beset by disaster (harsh environments, hostile native species, &c.) to the degree that no economically viable source of import has as yet been identified. However, attempts continue.