Magic in The Malazan Book of The Fallen - Otataral

Otataral

Otataral is a magic-deadening reddish ore, generally sold in the form of dust, which superficially resembles rusted iron. It not only prevents the use of magic, it also prevents mages from accessing or opening their Warrens and can drive them insane (this may be due to otataral itself or the forcible removal of access to their warren); an attempt to do so, or use magic on an individual holding otataral causes the effect to fail in a gust of chilly air. The effects of otataral can be circumscribed somewhat through encasing the metal in a dense material (such as a granite box) or a weapon's sheath. Elder racial Warrens such as Kurald Galain and Tellann are immune to its effects.

In addition, any individual who is in the presence of the ore for a long enough period (such as by carrying an otataral weapon or inhaling or absorbing otataral dust through skin) will experience unpredictable side effects, at least one of which appears to be a transfer of the magic-deadening properties. The Teblor tribes of northern Genabackis may exhibit this trait through their use of the otataral-suffused blood-oil.

Another possible side effect is increased rate of healing. This is rather beneficial as it helps make up for the fact that a person thus affected by otataral may be immune to the magic based healing ministrations of a Denul healer.

Otataral is too brittle to be forged directly into a weapon. Instead, most weapons are forged as normal, then quenched in otataral dust while still hot. Attempting to counter magic with hot otataral can cause catastrophic explosions.