Saronite



Saronite is a metal found in Northrend. It is the blood of Yogg-Saron. According to Daggle Bombstrider, it's a very popular item on the black market.

Origin
Saronite is an element associated with the Old God Yogg-Saron. It first appeared across Azeroth around the year -4,500 in areas in Ashenvale, Crystalsong Forest, Feralas, Duskwood, and the Hinterlands but was eradicated with the help of Fandral Staghelm. According to the Archivum Console in Ulduar, a powerful acid found within Yogg-Saron is believed to be responsible for the liquefaction of saronite.

The tuskarr called it the "Black Blood of Yogg-Saron".

Properties
The quest Pure Evil shows how strong and resistant the evil metal is. The saronite ore collected was completely unscratched by the attacks from Crusade Commander Korfax's Arcanite Reaper. The ore was also completely resistant to the nature magic used against it by Rayne and Rimblat Earthshatter. Finally, the ore was struck by the powers of the Holy Light by Avenger Metz, and the ore reacted but seemed to reflect the spell back at everyone in the area. The metal itself is very strong yet lightweight.

Borus Ironbender, the Horde Grand Master Blacksmith trainer in Agmar's Hammer in the Dragonblight, remarks — from his observations of Angrathar the Wrathgate — that he had never seen a metal "breathe" before, and sends adventurers to the Pit of Narjun outside Azjol-Nerub to collect samples of this metal for his research.

Since the Lich King's psychic powers are powerful, and his undead minions have no will of their own to speak of, they might be resistant to the evil of Yogg-Saron. This would seem to be the main reason the Lich King chose to use this evil ore to create his fortresses in Icecrown as well as create his war machines.

It is unknown if the mind of the Knights of the Ebon Blade are affected by wearing saronite now that they are free from the grasp of the Lich King. However, the Ashen Verdict appears to have found a way to bend saronite to their will and equip their greatest champions in their ascent of Icecrown Citadel.

It also has powerful properties that are useful against undead, capable of destroying both their flesh and their soul. Sylvanas Windrunner used saronite to end her unlife, reasoning; "The fall alone couldn't kill her: her animate flesh was nigh indestructible. But the spikes, the hardened blood of an Old God, they not only would tear the body apart but would obliterate the soul as well." Properties that could be forged into a weapon. As such, Sylvanas threw herself off from the Frozen Throne, believing that saronite would grant her rest. Apparently aware of this property, Bolvar Fordragon hurled saronite projectiles at Sylvanas during their confrontation at Icecrown Citadel, but she was easily able to evade or shatter them.

However, saronite isn't indestructible; as seen with a Colossus constructed from a saronite alloy who is still vulnerable to the acid of the massive Jormungar, or even when the Argent Crusade used a battering ram to bring down the doors of Icecrown Citadel. Smelted saronite has also been described as being "brittle" on two separate occasions, first in the quest I'm Smelting... Smelting! where the Scourge used broken shards of saronite to create deadlier Ghouls and later in Tempering The Blade (Alliance) and Tempering The Blade (Horde) where it was said "that jagged saronite edge is brittle and will shatter the moment it strikes anything" unless it was properly tempered.

Uses of saronite
The major user of saronite is the Scourge, who utilizes this evil metal to its full potential. They have used saronite to power their war machine and construct their master's stronghold, Icecrown Citadel, as well as the ramparts, spires, and cathedrals that practically cover the Icecrown region. The Scourge, in the laboratories of the Fleshwerks, have also begun implanting broken shards of saronite into the bodies of ghouls, resulting in much deadlier minions in the Scourge legions. The Lich King has even commissioned the construction of a necropolis, Malykriss, which would be made completely of saronite.

As an agent of the Lich King in Acherus, the death knight adventurer was given a saronite armor after they proved themselves in battle against the enemies of the Scourge. In the Scarlet Enclave, the skeletal archers led by Orithos the Sky Darkener used saronite-headed arrows to rain death on the citizens of Havenshire, before sending death knights to retrieve them due to their limited number, as they are far from Northrend.

Saronite is also used by player characters of both the Alliance and the Horde, as grand master blacksmiths can make armor and weaponry from saronite, and grand master engineers can craft explosives.

The side effects of saronite mining
Often, mortals who mine saronite for prolonged periods of time appear to be driven insane. Indeed, many of the people who have been rescued from the Saronite Mines tell of hearing strange whispers of unknown origins, attempting to shape their perceptions of those around them. Others became enraged and simply attacked their would-be rescuers at the very suggestion of being taken away from the "Master", while still others yell madly about their mysterious "Master", and attempt to offer their lives to it by hurling themselves down into the deep recesses of the mines.

Players who spend time in the Saronite Mines of Ymirheim in central Icecrown or Whisper Gulch in the Howling Fjord will begin seeing whispers of unknown origin appearing in their chat logs.

Appearances

 * Angrathar the Wrathgate in Dragonblight
 * The Saronite Mines in Icecrown
 * The Scourge fortresses all over Icecrown, including Icecrown Citadel and the Shadow Vault

Nodes

 * Saronite Deposit
 * Rich Saronite Deposit
 * Pure Saronite Deposit
 * Strange Ore for a quest

Ore
Nodes when mined produce Saronite Ore.

Chunk of Saronite is used in a quest.

Bars
Saronite Bar is smeltable from 2 Saronite Ore.

Faceless ones
The faceless ones, creatures created by the Old Gods, appear for some of them to be partially composed of saronite as well. General Vezax, the faceless general, gives off saronite Vapors and says, "The black blood of Yogg-Saron courses through me!" Other faceless ones are depicted with saronite-colored blood in their veins.

Notes and trivia

 * In the game's files, its icon is named yoggthorite.