Woods & Cores

Black elder is native to Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia, and typically grows to a height of only 3–7 m with a trunk diameter of 0.1–0.3 m. Its bark is smooth when young, later becoming longitudinally furrowed to corky and rough, ranging in color from light gray to grayish-brown. The wood appears light yellowish-brown to brown and retains a fine texture. With an air-dried density of approximately 688 kg/m³, it is suitable for small parts, but its use in woodworking is limited by the presence of pith, its small dimensions, and its sometimes oblique grain.

Elder is the most extreme of all known woods, and its reputation is well-deserved. It is rare, demanding, and possesses a power that cannot be measured. This wood accepts no mediocrity. It requires bearers who can assert themselves—not through volume, but through actual mastery of magic. It seeks personalities who do not shy away in the presence of great power. Those who lead insecurely or allow themselves to be controlled by external influences will not forge a stable connection with elder. Its greatest hurdle is not its application, but its mastery. It constantly tests whether its bearer is up to the task. Its most pronounced characteristics lie in power, difficulty, and an extreme form of temperament; it is precisely there that this material reveals its full potential. The magic it generates is immediate, penetrating, and rarely moderate. This quality is particularly evident in combat: swift, decisive spells with high impact, leaving little room for error. Elder responds to clear guidance with impressive efficiency, but to uncertainty with instability.

It also unfolds extraordinary strength in transformation. Complex changes are achieved with an intensity and depth that other woods struggle to attain. At the same time, it demands the utmost precision. Small errors are amplified significantly more under its guidance than with calmer materials.

Elder is not a neutral wood. It amplifies, challenges, and drives. In the right binding, it creates a magic wand of extraordinary power—not just a tool, but a catalyst for great magic. Where this connection succeeds, a level of strength and control emerges that far surpasses the ordinary.