Soulsteel

Soulsteel is a soft alloy of steel and grounded special stones, treated in a complex process. While generally useless for most practical applications, soulsteel is famous for its ability to contain Life Force - it steals souls.

For example, if driven into a living being's chest, it will absorb that being's Life Force. Such a spike needs to be inserted in the right places and must be large enough to contain the Life Force - mistakes can result in a useless spike. The 'spiked' person is left crippled, basically an invalid, often retarded or otherwise impeded, though the exact condition varies. Such spikes can then be subsequently implanted into another person, enhancing that person - strength, endurance, charisma, and especially channelling capacity - though again the placement of the spike is extremely important.

Soulsteel is relatively rare, though often undervalued as its true use (and name) is not widely known - for most, it is merely a rather useless steel alloy.