Violetskye's
Forging Forum
The Forging forum was held on February 19, 1998, conducted by GM Mikos.
[Global Assembly Room] Mikos says, "OK, let's get started."
Mikos says, "First off, my apologies for my lateness. Thanks for sticking around."
Mikos says, "This forum is about forging, which is a new skill and weapon creation
system that will be available in the game in the near future."
Mikos says, "During the course of the forum I'll cover - 1) how the forging system
works to create a new weapon, 2) what is needed in order to be able to forge a weapon,
3) what factors are involved in learning the skill, 4) what factors influence successful use
of the skill, 5) what limits exist on forging, and 6) where forging is at right now."
Mikos says, "1) How the forging system works to create a new weapon -"
Mikos says, "First off, the forging system is only capable of producing melee
weapons. It is not set up to produce armor, shields, or missile weapons of any sort. If
you like, you may want to consider it to be a weaponcrafting system rather than simply a
forge, since many things you could create with a forge, you cannot create in this system."
Mikos says, "In the forging process, every weapon is built from two components:
the head or blade, and the handle or haft. These two components, after they've been
crafted from their respective raw materials, have to be assembled into a single weapon. "
Mikos says, "Within a two or three room workshop area, the weaponcrafting PC
will need to do the following: 1) mark the raw material for the handle with the pattern of
the weapon handle desired, 2) grind the raw material to its rough shape on a grinding
wheel, 3) polish the rough piece to its finished form on a polishing wheel. "
Mikos says, "Then 1) mark the raw material for the blade with the pattern of the
weapon blade desired, 2) fill the tempering trough in the forge with an appropriate liquid,
3) forge the raw material into its rough shape and dunk it in the tempering trough, 4)
polish the rough piece to its finished form on the polishing wheel."
Mikos says, "Finally, the weaponcrafter needs to assemble the two finished
components in the vise in order to complete the weapon. "
Dantrotic whispers to the group, "gosh this is harder then makin the iron, and I can never
do that, I gana have trouble with it"
Mikos says, "2) What is needed in order to be able to forge a weapon -"
Mikos says, "Presuming that a forging workshop is available, the weaponcrafting
PC will also need to have access to: a crafter's apron, the glyphs or patterns for marking a
piece of raw material in order to be able to fashion it. The forging system has to have
some way of knowing which part of which weapon each piece is, so this "tags" the piece
of raw material."
Mikos says, "Raw materials to make the components from..."
Mikos says, "Some type of liquid for setting the weapon's temper."
Mikos says, "And a lot of time."
Mikos says, "The forging system is similar to the Warrior's Guild skills. It takes
time to practice in order to improve."
Mikos says, "Right now the forging system involves two different skills."
Mikos says, "Crafting skill requires the crafter to possess and wear a crafter's apron,
and is the skill involved during grinding and assembling."
Mikos says, "Forging skill requires that the crafter possess a forging-hammer, and
the skill is used...when forging. ;)"
Mikos says, "In order to work within the system a crafter needs to first learn the
crafting skill sufficiently to be able to craft both components of a forging-hammer and
assemble them."
Mikos says, "From that point on, the crafter can begin to practice his or her forging
skill."
Mikos says, "Both Crafting and Forging skills are on roughly a 1-100 range."
Mikos says, "Both skills are improved by use, regardless of success in the attempt."
Mikos says, "The max that can be achieved in either skill is approximately 100."
Mikos says, "The quality of the parts that a crafter produces is dependant upon their
skill."
Mikos says, "Factors involved in learning the skills:"
Mikos says, "Each attempt to use the skill counts. Every five attempts with
Crafting skill, or ten attempts with forging skill, is enough for a skill improvement
check."
Mikos says, "Please understand, they are two distinct skills and are tracked
separately."
Mikos says, "Your chance to improve your skill is a 1-100 roll and it must be above
your current skill value in order to increase your skill by 1."
Mikos says, "So as your skill improves, your chance to improve grows smaller."
Mikos says, "Learning is easy when you know very little, and it is very hard to learn
the final ultimate bit of skill."
Mikos says, "Please don't confuse learning with experience gain. The system does
provide some small experience gain, but only when weapons are completed. Working on
parts does not gain any experience."
Mikos says, "Learning in the forging system is strictly a matter of improving either
the Crafting or the Forging skills."
Mikos says, "There are Intelligence modifiers in the learning process. Above
average intelligence does get a small add to the chance to learn each time."
Mikos says, "And unusually low Intelligence will keep a person from every gaining
100 skill."
Mikos says, "As opposed to learning the skills, successful use of the skills is
governed by personal stats, by profession, and by race."
Mikos says, "The primary factor in success or failure when using Crafting or
Forging skill is the skill itself."
Mikos says, "The second factor is an average of applicable stat bonuses."
Mikos says, "For Crafting: (Dex bonus + Discipline bonus + Strength bonus) / 3 "
Mikos says, "This average is added to your current skill."
Mikos says, "As are racial bonuses: for Dwarves, Giantmen, Dark elves, and
Elves."
Mikos says, "Sylvankind are the only race to have a minus."
Mikos says, "Profession-wise: there is a handicap. It is 0 for Warriors, and grows
to its largest for Sorcs and Wizards."
Mikos says, "So a Sylvankind Sorc will be the most limited in what materials he
can make weapons from."
Mikos says, "All characters, regardless of race or profession can achieve a skill of
100 in both crafting and forging."
Mikos says, "Only Intelligence is a factor in learning."
Mikos says, "The modifiers are to the chance of success with the skill."
Mikos says, "If you figure it out, anyone with 100 in crafting and above 0 stat
bonuses can forge a weapon."
Mikos says, "The factors that make it less than a sure thing are the size of the raw
material you're working with, and the magical plus inherent in the material."
Mikos says, "So the racial bonuses, stat bonus averages, and professional handicap
will effect how large and how magical a material you can work with."
Mikos says, "Success in use of either skill is broken down into Failure,
Extraordinary Failure, Success, and Extraordinary Success."
Mikos says, "Success or failure determines whether you craft what you're trying to,
have to try again, do the best you're able to, or wreck the material you're working with."
Mikos says, "Really bad failures in grinding are what resulted in the toothpicks that
were seen back when the testing players were getting started."
Mikos says, "Really bad failures in forging will result in you shattering your raw
material. If it was a 25 lb ingot of glaes, it's just gone."
Mikos says, "Forging skill also has a personal bonus. It's composed of
(Constitution bonus + Discipline bonus + Strength bonus) / 3"
Mikos says, "For forging, racial bonuses and professional handicaps are the same as
they are for Crafting."
Mikos says, "But material minuses for magical plus are larger."
Mikos says, "As is the size minus."
Mikos says, "Once public forges open, players will be able to purchase crafter's
aprons at the forge workshops. You have to have and be wearing a crafter's apron in
order to grind, polish, forge, or assemble."
Mikos says, "Right now each person's crafting skill is stored in their apron, but that
will change in the very near future. You'll still have to be wearing an apron in order to
work in a workshop, but crashes won't wipe out skill records."
Mikos says, "Similar to crafting aprons, a person who intends to forge will have to
first make the parts of his or her forging-hammer, assemble them, and then have the
hammer in hand whenever he or she intends to forge."
Mikos says, "Right now the forging-hammer is the skill holder for forging skill, but
that's changing too."
Mikos says, "However, you won't be able to forge without your own forging-
hammer. The system will check for ownership, and if you're using someone else's
hammer, you'll have to use it enough to become attuned to it before it will function fully
for you."
Mikos says, "Right now the only material that is forgeable is the iron from the
kobold mine near the Landing."
Mikos says, "At least initially, the only source for other raw materials will be from
GM merchants. If a shop does sell raw materials, it will be infrequently."
Mikos says, "Each forge that is set up and opened will also be limited by what
patterns or glyphs are in it for which weapons."
Mikos says, "Since the forging process needs to know which weapon you're making
the parts of, glyphs or patterns for each part will be on shelves in the workshops."
Mikos says, "If you don't see a glyph for the handle and the head of a weapon, you
can't make one."
Mikos says, "At leat initially, glyphs will only exist for base weapons, that is there
will be no forging of renamed weapons."
Mikos says, "Everything that players forge will look like exactly what they are."
Mikos says, "Due to sytem limitations, all that will be possible is a weapon that
contains the name of the material the blade is made from."
Mikos says, "Each weapon will need to have a handle component made, and these
can be made from any of the appropriate materials, but only the blade material will show
up in the final weapon name."
Mikos says, "For instance, "a laen longsword"."
Mikos says, "Because of the variety of weapon names there is currently no easy
way to add colors or other description."
Mikos says, "EIther or both of those options may be added to the system later, but
for the time being you'll have to look for the dyetent to get player forged weapons
colored."
Mikos says, "On the plus side, any material that is appropriate to weapons, and that
has stats within the game, can be forged by someone with high enough skill."
Mikos says, "Laje is a material that does not currently have set stats. Another is
Coraesine."
Mikos says, "Mithril, bronze, iron, invar, ora, imflass, glaes, vultite, rolaren,
golvern, veil iron, mithglin, kelyn, krodera, vaalorn, eahnor, faenor, urnon, rhimar,
zorchar, drakar, gornar, razern, and urglaes will all be forgeable and craftable."
Mikos says, "With the normal expected pluses that the materials are known for."
Mikos says, "And the normal flares or other properties."
Mikos says, "The forging system also allows for a +1, +2 or +3 skill plus that can
become part of the weapon when the weaponcrafter's skill is high enough, and when the
components are all crafted and assembled well."
>Starsnuffer just went out.
Mikos says, "A weaponcrafter's skill will also influence the strength and breakage
factor of a weapon."
Mikos says, "The investment for anyone choosing to craft weapons will be in the
time spent learning the two skills.
Mikos says, "Actually making a weapon, in total time will take from 3.5 to 11.5
minutes."
Mikos says, "That includes all steps from start to finish."
Mikos says, "If you fail in any of those steps, the total time including a second
attempt where ever you failed, will of course go up."
Mikos says, "So the final time to forge a weapon will be unrealistically short, but
there is a limit to how long we want to run a process that will be adversely effected by a
crash."
Mikos says, "And there is a limit to how long you'll be willing to sit and watch the
system messaging scroll by."
Mikos winks.
Mikos says, "Right now the plans for opening public forges placement-wise is:
None in Wehnimer's Landing. Several in Solhaven when that opens. One or two in
Icemule Trace. No idea on Teras Isle yet."
Mikos says, "None in Rivers Rest."
Mikos says, "WIth the only source for raw materials being the mine in the
Landing, we are expecting some importing and exporting to go on amongst players."
Mikos says, "Other mines are being discussed, but none are likely to open in the
near future."
Mikos says, "Although there are plans to double the size of the existing kob mine."
Mikos takes the lid off the question box. Use ASK to submit a question.
Mikos says, "I'm about talked out."
Mikos says, "Vadric says, 'Mithos, will the iron needed for forging have to be in
the form of raw chunks, or slabs?'"
Mikos says, "It will have to be in slabs."
Mikos says, "The system will work with slabs, blocks or ingots."
Mikos says, "That's metals. Woods can be used for handles, and those can be
boards, branches, etc. The list is longer and I don't recall all the forms of woods that are
acceptable."
Mikos says, "Vadric says, 'Mithos, will the iron needed for forging have to be in
the form of raw chunks, or slabs?'"
Mikos rolls his eyes.
Mikos says, "Dantrotic says, 'dose this imply breakage returning? if so dose this
imply being able to reforage weapons? And how dose one get involved in testing new
mechanics like this?'"
Mikos says, "I have heard that breakage is returning. I don't know how soon. It
will be up to whoever builds the breakage system whether or not forging will interact
with it."
Mikos says, "Right now the forging system isn't capable of reforging."
Mikos says, "As far as testing the new mechanics go, that will be up to the GM
who works on it. I have no idea right now."
Mikos says, "Kraldrac says, 'when crafting with a metal that has flares and you
have an extraordinary failure would it release its energy (i.e. fire, lightning, ice, ect.) in
some sort of backlash upon the forger?'"
Mikos says, "It should, but right now the system doesn't."
Mikos says, "Right now you simply wreck your material. Somehow I thought that
was severe enough."
Mikos winks.
Mikos says, "Tanzra says, 'if a weapon breaks and we can fix it, will its AvD be
affected?'"
Mikos says, "I doubt it, but that's another system that's not built yet."
Mikos says, "Jafirnn says, 'Can you list the stats for the uncommon metals? I've
never heard of some of those metals towards the end.'"
Mikos says, "No. I may post them at some point, but I won't list the stats now.
Most of the latter ones are new names for ICE metals that never saw much use in the old
days."
Mikos says, "I have a revamp of Shift metals done. In the next few days you
should be able to see it in the game and you'll be able to see what got renamed to what."
Mikos says, "IT is not installed yet."
Mikos says, "Jecquelynn says, 'mikos what raw materials will be available,and in
what abundance? and what new glyphs will be seenfirst?'"
Mikos says, "Beyond the iron from the iron mine? Not much. You'll likely see
bronze in a shop in Solhaven. It's easier to work than iron and a good practice material."
Mikos says, "Beyond that, you're best bet is watching for travelling merchants that
will be selling raw materials."
Mikos says, "Lerys says, 'are there plans to add more metals to the kob mines?'"
Mikos says, "Not at this point."
Mikos says, "Any new materials that show up in mines will more likely show up
elsewhere, just to avoid cramming more players into the kob mines."
Mikos says, "Loklor says, 'just to clarify..the +1, +2 added will be in addition to
say vultites natural +20 correct? if so will there be a cap to extra bonuses?'"
Mikos says, "Yes, the skill bonus plus is in addition to any materials natural plus.
Will there be a cap? Yes, in that any weapon can only gain a crafter's bonus plus once.
Beyond that you should see the existing limits extended by the +1-+3 of weaponcrafting
players."
Mikos says, "So if merchants will enchant to +40 or 8x now, you should see
merchants willing to enchant to 8x +3, assuming the +3 is already there."
Mikos says, "Stillggar says, 'what about adding the race of the maker into the name
of the waepon?'"
Mikos says, "It's not in the system now. Given the length of some of the race
names, it's unlikely to be added."
Mikos says, "I should mention that the quality of forged weapons is somewhat
apparent in the adjectives produced. Weapons will show up as "a superior laen
longsword" for instance, or "a flimsy little dagger"."
Mikos says, "I forgot to mention the quality tag words early when I was talking
about the final weapon's appearance."
Mikos says, "Every weapon will have a quality tag word, even if it's just "plain"."
Mikos says, "Xathar says, 'Mithos, thee stated that there will be several dif'rent
types of handles, will the type of handle determine the strength of the weapon?'"
Mikos says, "No, it won't."
Mikos says, "Unless we can build some greater diversity into the system, you'll be
best off making handles out of the cheapest most plentiful material you can find."
Mikos says, "Sorry, I just realized I left part of Jecquelynn's question unanswered.
As far as new glyphs go, expect to see the basics in the public forges with some of the
better weapons' glyphs scattered and only in one forge or another."
Mikos says, "Blaqtar says, "mikos 'Is it possible, of course with high enough skills,
to produce a vultite claid with this process?""
Mikos says, "I haven't cleared with the powers that be whether glyphs for claidhs
will be allowed in the game or not. I suspect now, however."
Mikos says, "I also know that bastard swords cannot be player forged due to
system limitations. Their switchable ability makes them unreproduceable by a system.
They can only be made by hand by GMs."
Mikos says, "Galliphile says, 'Will we be able to mine glaes out of the kiramon
mine in Teras? After all, the glaes veins already exist and the mine is already there.
Seems like a limitless source of large chunks of glaes to me.'"
Mikos says, "Very true, but it's in the interests of not making glaes weapons as
common as dirt, that that may not come to pass."
Mikos says, "It is a likely spot for mining, but if it does become a working mine,
expect some kind of limiting mechanism."
Mikos says, "Sintalis says, 'Will any form of sanctified weaponry be forgable?
Also, will you be releasing the actual descriptions of metals (not bonuses)?'"
Mikos says, "The forge is capable of producing holy weapons. That is different
from permablessed weapons. The exact method is know public knowledge yet, though."
Mikos says, "Sorry, is not public knowledge yet."
Mikos says, "A description of all the metals is something I expect to be posting in
the next few weeks. If you don't see it posted by the time forges open, look for lists in the
forges."
Mikos says, "Kythyn says, 'how long in elapsed hours do you think it will take to
achieve 100 in both forging and crafting?'"
Mikos grins.
Mikos says, "There are members of the testing group that can tell you. Frankly,
I've never done the math. To a degree I didn't want to know."
Mikos asks, "I do know it should take a person 1,000 attempts to get the final 1%
of forging skill. With iron that's 1,000 * 2.5 minutes?"
Mikos says, "Apandaa says, 'So there are no plans to provide a way for mein shards
to be made forgeable?'"
Mikos says, "Right now mein shards are not forgeable. That may change once
mining of other materials is decided upon."
Mikos says, "Right now, the fact that mein shards are as unique as they are - that is
they have other capabilities - keeps them from being forgeable. Right now all raw
materials that are workable are simply raw materials with no other capabilities."
Mikos says, "Kaag says, 'What will be the person capacity of the public forges, and
the cost of aprons and possibily using the forges. And finally when can we expect to see
forges opening'"
Mikos says, "The capacity of the forge/workshop is one person per piece of
equipment at a time. Each workshop has a grinder, a polisher, a forge, and a vise. The
different pieces of equipment all have differing elapsed times for use, with the forge
being the longest."
Mikos says, "Right now I am expecting aprons to cost between 5,000 and 10,000
silvers each."
Mikos says, "There is no plan to charge for using a forge, although it is likely that the
local weaponcrafters guild will simply "accept" your donation of every third completed
item."
Mikos says, "That's not for certain though. If time doesn't permit, you're likely to
see the forges usable for free at least in the beginning."
Mikos says, "As to when forges will open...expect them to be there when Solhaven
opens. If they're not, it's my fault, and you can bet I'll be working late to get them open.
In Icemule, they may show up before Solhaven opens. Depending on how long Solhaven
takes to finish."
Mikos says, "There'll be a period during final testing when there may be some
slack time prior to Solhaven opening. If that happens, we'll try to open Icemule's forges
at that time."
Mikos says, "Danalan says, 'will we be able to add weighting to weapons(ie:
damage, crit) and will we be able to shape the hilt or embed a design in it and third will
we be able to embed gems into the weapon?'"
Mikos says, "Nope, nope, and nope."
Mikos asks, "Weighting may be added later. Adding gems will at least require use
of gemcrafting skill. Can you say "next system?"
Mikos winks.
Mikos says, "Amoret says, 'Do you have plans to actually release all those weapons
materials for forging, by merchant or auction and such? Including the extremely rare
ones such as veil iron and urglaes?'"
Mikos says, "In answer to the first question, yes. In answer to the second, I've
already seen a forgeable block of veil iron in the game, and it was ungodly large to boot.
But don't expect to see the high end materials often or in large amounts."
Mikos says, "Realize that it's in no one's best interest for us to make really nice
weapons commonplace. So how plentiful raw materials are is a primary control
mechanism."
Mikos says, "If everyone is running around with veil iron weapons, we've just
made the game more fantastic and less fun. No one really wins if powerful items become
too frequent."
Mikos says, "Merlock says, 'Forgive me, but this sounds much to easy -- and it only
takes 12 minutes? Also, what will be done to prevent people from scripting commands
for forging, and virtually "forging while not forging". Finally, what do you expect a
merchant to charge for a slab of a rare metal, and will things be sold (rare things, possibly
at auctions) which would improve chances greatly, or allow people to create different
weapons?'"
Mikos says, "Several questions...First, once you've accrued the skills it will be
relatively easy. It's the long hours of practice that will be a real drag. Second, I expect
folks will script their skill practicing. I would. But we do have a policy against
disruptive scripting, and it will be enforced. I expect the forges to be major scripting-
complaint centers."
Mikos says, "I don't know right now how much a merchant will charge for a slab
of material. It depends on the material, the size of the slab, and the merchant. As far as
things to improve chances, the system is built to recognize skill-adders and success-
guarantors, both kinds of items that players may come into the possesion of. Creating
different weapons? A particular set of glyphs may be sold by a merchant for personal
ownership. That's certainly possible."
Mikos says, "Tsoran says, 'Mikos, how is a 'superior' weapon better than a 'flimsy'
weapon? More restant to breakage, hits harder, etc?'"
Mikos says, "Primarily more resistant to breakage, but if the quality is high
enough, then the +1 to +3 that we've mentioned."
"yellow">[GS crashed for a bit again]
Mikos opens the floor back up for general discussion.
Mikos says, "Let's wait for more folks to get back."
Mikos says, "I'll likely open the box again."
Mikos says, "I meant public as opposed to the existing test forge. But yes, there
may be private forges. That's yet to be discussed by staff."
Mikos says, "Yes, it's too late to sign up to be a test forger."
Mikos smiles.
Mikos chuckles.
Mikos says, "Sounds like it's time to answer box questions again. I can't even keep
track of what's being asked."
Mikos says, "Resuming answering submitted questions..."
Mikos calls the assembly to order. After a moment the crowd quiets down.
Mikos says, "Claridar says, 'Will the Disipline, Strength and Constitution bonues
be a person's totals or only their bonuses in those areas'"
Mikos says, "I don't know that I understand the question. The bonuses for those
stats are summed and then averaged."
Mikos says, "Hyoko says, 'If I make a 'superior vultite broadsword' and then go to
the dyers, will the 'superior' portion be wiped out by the dyeing process?'"
Mikos says, "I don't know. The dyer has been improved recently. I don't know
how careful it is now."
Mikos says, "Zenmagic says, 'Will there be weapons made avaible to Wizards that
will benfit them?'"
Mikos says, "Only the same weapons that are available to everyone. Not sure
exactly what you had in mind."
Mikos says, "Orbstar says, 'what are the racial bonuses and profession penalties,
specifically. dwarves +20. etc?'"
Mikos says, "racial bonuses are: for crafting - Dwarf +10, Giant +5, Dark Elf and
Elf +5, Sylvankind -5. For forging - the same."
Mikos says, "Sintalis says, 'You gave a rough list of profession bonuses. Could you
go into more detail other than just ranking warriors at the top and wizards/sorcerers at the
bottom?'"
Mikos says, "Professional handicaps - warriors -0, rogues -5, rangers and bards -
10, clerics and empaths -15, sorcs and wizards -20."
Mikos says, "Blaqtar says, 'mikos If there is a glyph for normally weighted
weapon, ie claid again Mikos says, "If a glyph is available for a claid it will produce a standard claid,
nothing less."
Mikos says, "Rayzor says, "Shouldn't Teras Isle be a prime spot for a forge as the
town is full of Dwarves and Giants, and has it's own glaes mines already out there?""
Mikos says, "It should, but I haven't spoken to the guardian GM of Teras yet to
find out if they want a forge or where it would go."
Mikos takes the lid off the question box. Use ASK to submit a question.
Mikos says, "Just an FYI, if we wind up with largely repeat questions, I'll take that
as an indication and look to wind up at the next half hour mark. This isn't any kind of
threat, just letting you know what to expect."
Mikos says, "Kythyn says, 'what might ye consider "better weapons" with limited
glyphs'"
Mikos says, "Better weapons would be halberds for PA, Falchions for OHE, and
probably morning stars for OHC."
Mikos says, "Generally weapons that are recognized as being the best in their skill
area."
Mikos says, "Merlock says, 'Will defender weapons ever be able to made, and will
Forging Shops eventually be put into Houses much like Enchanting Shops are now?'"
Mikos says, "I haven't given any thought to how to have a forger choose to add
defender capability as an effect, so until I can wrangle that one out, it won't be seen. As
far as forges in Houses go, I'd wait to see if it flies as a skill first. Folks may find it's too
much of a drag for too little pay off."
Mikos says, "Argivean says, 'What about the Cavernhold Forge ? Will it be
converted into a working forge or will it stay "as is" ?'"
Mikos says, "There's no plans right now to convert it into a working forge."
Mikos says, "Amoret says, 'What is the reasoning behind the racial modifiers,
especially the absent or negative ones?'"
Mikos says, "The reasoning behind the racial modifiers is to reflect the racial
apptitudes as represented in the game docs and history."
Mikos says, "The races that have no modifier are not represented as being
unusually gifted crafters, or unusually poor. Sylvankind have a minus because forging is
a process that is far from growing and living. It is working with fire and inert material.
They will likely be the best bowyers and fletchers, assuming that process gets created as
a parallel system."
Mikos says, "Daggorr says, 'will it be possible in the future to breakdown boxes
and use the materials in the forging process? Also will there be anything other than
glyphs that can be added to a forged weapon?'"
Mikos says, "In answer to the first question, I doubt it. To the second, the glyphs
I've been speaking of are another name for the patterns that will sit in each workshop for
marking a piece of material prior to shaping it."
Mikos says, "Midore says, 'Besides the builder's satisfaction at a job well done,
what incentives are there to produce these weapons -- Will NPC or GM merchants cut
back on their own sales? Lastly, does one block/slab/ingot yield one blade, or is the
relation more complex? (Could one forge more than one weapon from that huge veil iron
chunk you mentioned?)'"
Mikos says, "In response to the first question - assuming you advance your skill to
the point that you can make decent weapons, I assume there will be a market for them.
Likely GM merchants will cut back if they think there's no need for them to sell a
particular kind of item."
Mikos says, "As far as slab-to-weapon ratio goes, the key is in the weight. A
weapon component requires x amount of material, and each slab can be whatever weight
they are produced as. If you're making dagger blades, you can likely get 9 or so from an
18 lb slab."
Mikos says, "Mordreade says, 'Will the training of the character matter, if not there
will be many 0 level weaponsmiths. Also will the name of the crafter appear on the blade
ala guild sheaths?'"
Mikos says, "If by training you mean experience levels, yes it will in that stats
improve as a character gains levels. Since the crafting and forging skills have an attribute
bonus average added, having higher stats will be more evident in older characters and
they'll be more likely to succeed in forging."
Mikos says, "Frankly, I don't care what level the weaponsmiths are. But I do think
you'll see the older characters be the ones that can afford the nicer raw materials."
Mikos says, "As far as the name of the forger goes, I'm doing final testing that will
add the forger's forge mark to each weapon."
Mikos says, "You look at a dagger and you see Hyoko's forgemark, for instance."
Mikos says, "Jafirnn says, 'What is the time frame for the opening of Solhaven?
And will the exsisting test forge remain open after the others are open?'"
Mikos says, "I hesitate to predict dates. Anyone that's worked testing the forge
knows that I've never been right in a prediction yet. I'll just say that if Solhaven isn't open
by the end of May I'll be in an institute somewhere. And yes, the teset forge will remain
open after the others are open."
Mikos says, "The test forge was opened as part of a plotline, it will likely close
when it's appropriate to that plotline."
Mikos says, "Jala says, 'If only slabs can be used, are there any plans to put slab
making machines somewhere other than the one in the Kobold Mine? Also, will forged
weapons be further mage enchantable and blessable?'"
Mikos says, "Right now there is only the plan add a second slab making setup in
the kob mine. With regard to forged weapons, they should be in every way the same as
weapons you would buy, so yes, they will be mage enchantable and blessable, just as
other weapons of the same material are now."
Mikos says, "Kulilin says, 'How much of a negative modifier will wizards and
sorcs plus the other professions get, will you be able to forge any type of weapon like
katanas, main gauches, etc, and also when is Solhaven supossed to open?'"
Mikos says, "I've already mentioned the negatie modifiers: -20 for wizards and
sorcs. Katanas will not be forgeable, they're a rename, not a true weapon type. Main
gauches will be forgeable. Solhaven, I've already addressed."
Mikos says, "Hyoko says, 'You mentioned that forging would include filling the
trough with the appropriate liquid. What liquids other than water might be required?'"
Mikos says, "Good question, I almost forgot."
Mikos says, "Any magical material will require a magical tempering oil instead of
water for tempering."
Mikos says, "Several shops are being revamped to sell it. A skin of tempering oil
will likely be about a gallon - one use - and will cost somewhere between 1,000 and
5,000 silvers."
Mikos says, "I have to look closely at the low end of the magical material scale
and see what price still makes sense with that low of a profit over raw materials."
Mikos says, "Sintalis says, 'Will whips and flexable items be forgeable?'"
Mikos says, "Whips won't be, unless they're metallic, so normal whips, no. I
believe the system is set up to make whips of any of the metals or magical materials,
though. Flexible items? Certainly flails and Ball n Chains. Not sure what other flexible
items you had in mind."
Mikos says, "Redzy says, 'Mikos, how are forges going to be able to handle the
probable mass of people rushing to learn these new skills? I'm sure that the forges will be
packed. How on erf will it be handled? Some kinda of level dependence? First come first
serve, some sort of cost -- mass hysteria? erf'"
Mikos says, "Primarily through having multiple forges available, and in all
likelihood through some mechanism similar to the deed line in Wehni's."
Mikos says, "There will be no level dependence instituted."
Mikos says, "Mass hysteria is always an option."
Mikos says, "Tsoran says, 'Two questions. First, if I make a +1 weapon 'cause I'm
so good at it, Mikos says, "Question one has already been answered. Even if your weapon is +1,
+2, or +3, it will still be blessable or e-bladeable. Second question - have you ever tried
to roll up a character with high stats in four areas? It's not possible. The high stats will
rest with the older characters. I do agree that there will be some new-gen crafters that
will do nothing else, but that happens with every new facet that's added to the game."
Mikos says, "Merlock says, 'Will Forging ever recieve a supliment system to it
which would allow elemental criticals to be added to a forged (or possibly any) weapon --
Or is that already part of the Forging system? Also, with regards to that +3 allowed by
superior forging.. does this mean a +53 weapon could ultimately be achieved? (oh, and
just since you seem to be thinking of old ways.. there is no more deed line in
Wehnimers.. You always get in ;)'"
Mikos says, "Elemental crits won't be added beyond use of the metals that have
them inherently. Since the names are new, I'll list some of them - Rhimar does cold crits,
Zorchar does electrical crits, Drakar does heat crits, Gornar does vibe crits, and Razern is
naturally crit weighted to a small degree."
Mikos says, "All are normal str/bf, and +5."
Mikos says, "Sorry, Razern is normally +10."
Mikos says, "And yes, the +3 does mean that a +53 weapon could be achieved. I
say that without having examined the ET system. If there is a ceiling check for say +45,
then you won't be able to enchant a +48 weapon to +53. But as far as I know, +53 should
be possible."
Mikos says, "Weretiger says, '" Are they set lines at the mines too like at the deed
place used to have Are there gonna be house ( private forges)? What about steel are we
gonna be able to smelt it? and will we be able to use craft skill to eventually make things
like bows'"
Mikos says, "There are no lines at the mines that I've seen, beyond the ones that
the players conduct themselves. Private forges for Houses are likely. Steel will probably
be a merchant or shop salable material. Crafting will only be usable within this system.
So, no it won't apply to making bows, if that skill is every built as a system. Any
crossover from one system to another will have to be decided when the new system is
built, but I don't expect there to be much."
Mikos says, "Shagron says, 'Will the smith know thier exact skills or will it only be
reflected in the finished product? Will these skills atrophy with disuse? '"
Mikos says, "Currently there is no way for a smith to know their exact skill, but
mechanisms are being added to make it easy for a smith to check. And no, skills will not
atropy with disuse. My mind would likely atrophy before I ever got that part added. It's
not worth it."
Mikos says, "Cayianne says, 'mikos What about mechanics abuse? Whats stoping
soandso from making that weapon for a cheap amount of coin and selling it to the ninny
pawnshop guy for a profit?'"
Mikos says, "We'll have set the value on forged weapons low enough to prevent
that."
Mikos says, "It's not something we've overlooked, and it's not a difficult solution."
Mikos says, "Avantos says, 'you meant sacnted or permblessed? thats would be
game off balancing otherwise?'"
Mikos says, "The forge will be able to produce holy weapons, that is weapons that
function only in the hands of a cleric. The forge will likely never be able to produce
permablessed weapons."
Mikos says, "Mordreade says, 'Any thought to eliminating the standard town
merchants ability to sell magic metal weapons. This wouls make this new skill a lot more
useful. Plus it makes little sense they have unlimited access to these metals while we
have next to none.'"
Mikos says, "It would make it more useful, but we're in the same situation as with
the NPC bless and NPC rezz. There needs to be a source for some items or services
regardless of whether a PC is available to provide it."
Mikos says, "I expect we will be tweaking costs of shop-sold weapons, though."
Mikos closes the question box.
Mikos says, "I'm going to finish the existing questions, or knock off and 1 am
eastern, whichever comes later."
Mikos says, "Stonenkin says, 'will there be any forges found in the wilds, such as
(you see and abandoned forge, the only piece of equiptment left here seems to a a grinder
which is bolted to a heavy felwood table), and can the slabs of silver created while
opening a box with lighting be used to forge with?'"
Mikos says, "To the first question...it could happen, but don't hold your breath. It's
a neat idea, though. To the second, no. Silver isn't a decent metal for a servicable
weapon. The forge doesn't support use of any precious metals."
Mikos says, "Ichiba says, 'i assume that all the workaday items needed would be
also sold in local shop? like blacksmith tools, apron, and other items? sounds like a good
reason for a blacksmith supply merchant'"
Mikos says, "The only items needed that aren't part of the workshop are the raw
materials and the aprons. The aprons will either be sold right in the workshops, or in a
room just outside them."
Mikos says, "Yarx says, 'Will there be any kind of emotional counselling available
for people after they spend hours upon hours in the dark isolated from their friends and
family?'"
Mikos chuckles.
Mikos says, "There should be, and in fact I am working on an ever-jolly halfling
punching bag that makes incessant upbeat comments that you can them smack."
Mikos says, "Damangherik says, 'with no level dependence, this is going to be
based on a forging skill, similar to a guild skill, rather than char manager skills?'"
Mikos says, "Yepper."
Mikos says, "I'll be posting most of the pertinent details on the boards some time in
the next week."
Mikos says, "Jala says, 'With common metals like vultite already available at the
weapon shop why not make the the materials available?'"
Mikos says, "It's because of the over abundance of materials such as vultite that
you'll likely see it less available for forging."
Mikos says, "Commonness is a problem we don't need to increase with the forging
system."
Mikos says, "Hyoko says, 'How will the quality of one's hammer affect the quality
of the forged item?'"
Mikos says, "The quality of a crafter's forging-hammer is a small bonus modifier to
the forging skill."
Mikos says, "I believe it is the same as for a weapon, +1 to +3 depending on the
skill and success when it was made, so a good hammer will add 3% to your success roll."
Mikos says, "Lurch says, 'pardon me if this has been discussed. Are there any
future plans to include the crafting of shields or armor?'"
Mikos says, "There aren't at this time. If another GM doesn't choose to build it
first, it would be my intention to group shield and armor production into a platner's skill
system parallel to this kind of setup."
Mikos says, "Sintalis says, 'How can you forge a hammer if you don't have a
hammer to start with? (Will the forging-hammers still be imbeddable or was that a
bug?)'"
Mikos says, "You don't need to forge to be able to produce a forging-hammer.
You shape both components on the grinder and assemble them in the vise after polishing
them."
Mikos opens the floor back up for general discussion.
Mikos says, "That's all the questions."
Tanzra asks, "why wont RR have a forge? And by holy weapons you mean that
non-clerics cant weild them?"
Mikos says, "RR won't have one because the GM in charge of RR said it shouldn't have one right now."
The room is so full you can see nothing around you! The only thing that you can make out is the stage with a podium on it. A lone light shines down upon the podium.
Obvious exits: out.
End.
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