Ironwood is the Heartwood's second great treasure — a black, near-unbreakable timber that turns axe-blades and holds an edge like forged steel when worked into weapons or armour.
resourceironwoodtimberweapons
Harvested only from trees that have died naturally — living ironwood resists all cutting — the timber is so dense it sinks in water. The Ironwood Charter of the Guild Concord holds exclusive imperial licence to harvest and shape it, and their craftsmen guard the secret of its working jealously. Ironwood shields are standard issue for imperial officers; ironwood-hafted spears are the mark of a legion veteran. The Rootbound consider its harvesting sacrilege, and more than one ironwood caravan has vanished into the Shifting, the trees reclaiming what was taken.