Metalmancy

Metalmancy is primarily used to strengthen metals or to merge them with other metals through the use of the caster's Imperium. Metalmancy can be used with any types of metals regardless of their properties. While similar to metallurgy, the use of metalmancy adds additional traits to the metals due to the use of the magical fields. Metalmancy and Metallurgy can also be used in combination, and in fact some knowledge of metallurgy is required for accurate metalmancy.  

Metallic Perception

Metallic perception is a passive trait found in those with a natural skill in metalmancy, or those who have studied and attained the highest levels of metalmancy knowledge and application. Those with this ability can sense nearby metals. An individual cannot identify the shape of the metallic object or vein of ore, and identification of any specific traits or even types of the metals require great effort and concentration, but those with Metalic sensing can easily identify items containing metal, or locate a viable source of ore to expand a mining operation. For this reason most mining operations employ at least one Ore Augur to work alongside their miners to enhance efficiency.  

Ore Purification

The use of metalmancy allows for more precise control over the purity of an ore, allowing the caster to speed up the purification process or obtain a more refined product than the base process allows. While metallurgy is not required to use metalmancy in the purification process its use reduces the requirements on a caster's Imperium, allowing for a less strenuous process. Metalmancy can also obtain a purer form of ores than achievable with metallurgy alone, although the greater the desired purity the higher the required Imperium expenditure.  

Alloy Production

Similar to the Ore Purification process, alloy production is also readily enhanced with metalmancy. Tapping into the magical fields when mixingetals allows the caster complete control over the material makeup of an alloy as well as the distribution of the included materials within that alloy. The use of alloy production metalmancy also allows for the tweaking of material properties within the mixture during forging, increasing or decreasing the strength of the material through the manipulation of its crystalline structures. Metal alloys including the element Tyrellium must be handled with care as they have a strong tendency to adopt new traits and conditions due to the Tyrellium's conductivity mixed with the metalmancer's spellwork. For this reason metallurgy alone is used for Tyrellium alloys unless new traits are desired.  

Metal Shaping

Shaping metals using metalmancy allows for more precise results than traditional metal shaping methods. As with all the Artisanal Magics metalmancy can be used in conjunction with traditional methods, resulting in magically enhanced results utilizing less effort to Imperium than required if using only one or the other.  

Hardness Customization

In addition to the techniques used in metallurgy a metal or metal alloy's hardness and malleability may be altered through the use of metalmancy. The process is similar to hot or cold working but instead of adjusting the temperature of the material the ore or alloy's grounding to the appropriate local magical fields is changed according to the metalmancer's intentions. Once the specimen's required level of connection with its surrounginds has been reached the metal is worked and shaped as normal. This process is most commonly used with Tyrellium alloys as the conductivity of the metal compliments this process.  

Chromatic Metalmancy

Metalmancy can also be used in combination with Chromamancy to alter colorations of metals. As many processes using metallurgy or metalmancy will naturally alter the colors of the resultant metal item chromatic metalmancy could be used to tweak this coloration, return the metal to a former hue, or even completely change the color of the metal. Unlike many processes used to colorize metals such as anodizing or plating, chromatic metalmancy can be used to colorize the entire metal item without altering the metal's properties. The colorization extends throughout the entire metal, while those with extensive chromamancy training and talent can even add patterns.  

Pottery and Glassworking

While most efforts in pottery or glassworking do not involve metals these skills are still considered metalmancy due to similar requirements for shaping and firing. The usual lack of metals in the material make these skill the most difficult classes of metalmancy to master, although the processes are greatly simplified for metalmancers who also possess a practical understanding of Geomancy. While typically lumped together for purposes of explanation, the use of metalmancy for pottery and metalmancy for glass are considered two separate skills.