Forging Forum 2/19/98

Special thanks to GM Mikos (again!) for his time and effort

Note: Transcript was edited to remove a fair amount of off-topic discussion and chatter.

Mikos suddenly fades into sight beside you.

Mikos waves.

Mikos says, "Good evening. Sorry for the delay. The crash wasn't my doing, though...I think."

Mikos says, "We'll give it another five minutes for folks to log back in."

Mikos says, "Once I get started, I'll outline what will be covered."

Katrinia asks, "Mikos, can you silence and restrict all movment and get this thing going please?"

Mikos says, "Katrinia, I'm giving folks a chance to log back in. We'll start in a couple minutes."

Sintalis asks, "Mikos, is this what was keeping ya from your other weapon duties?"

Mikos says, "Partly, Sintalis."

Mikos calls the assembly to order. After a moment the crowd quiets down.

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. "

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."

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."

~~~~ forum rudely interrupted by a crash at this point ~~~~

A shaft of scintillating light suddenly pierces the ceiling and strikes the ground next to you. The beam of light then explodes in a shower of sparks and Mikos is standing in its place.

Mikos opens the floor back up for general discussion.

Mikos says, "Let's wait for more folks to get back."

Redzy asks, "Mikos, can I ask a question, or ya gonna open da box again?"

Mikos says, "I'll likely open the box again."

Merlock asks, "Oh, just a quick one -- will Houses eventually have forging shops, like they have enchanting shops now?"

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."

Kagron asks, "is veil iron really 50+ and permablessed?"

Mikos looks over at Kagron and shakes his head.

Cayianne asks, "So Mikos is it to late to sign up to be a test forger?"

Mikos says, "Yes, it's too late to sign up to be a test forger."

Mikos smiles.

Merlock asks, "Oh, Mikos -- was that a mistake earlier when you said "Laen Longsword"? IceAge still isn't allowed, right?"

Mikos says, "Laen would have been a mis-speak on my part. I meant glaes."

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 <G> will normal claid weighting be in the glyph?'"

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, <g>, would that prevent that iron weapon from being blessed or e-bladed? Second, I think the problem Mordreade was asking about is that folks will create unrealistic characters - level 0 dwarven warriors with high constitution, intelligence, dex, strength, discipline - and disregard the others, just for the purpose of forging. A character like that would most likely have better stats than most 50 year 'average' PC's for forging.'"

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 nods to Tanzra.

Mikos says, "RR won't have one because the GM in charge of RR said it shouldn't have one right now."

Mahndi says, "i think the level dependence will be takin care of in that the level 0 forger will only be able to hold 3 of the forgable metals"

Mikos nods to Mahndi.

Cayianne says, "Mikos why did people keep calling you Mithos? "

Mikos begins chuckling at Cayianne.

Jala says, "Good luck on your work, Mikos "

Mikos says, "Thanks, Jala."

Ghakin asks, "Ah, Mikos, just wonderin', which metals will be blessable after they are forged?"

Mikos says, "Any that are now, Ghakin."

Damangherik says, "I hope we get lots of unique weapons from it."

Mikos says, "Thanks, Gherik."

Redzy asks, "Mikos.. quick question (sorta) Will the the density of certain metal types be taken into account from forging weapons as far as the amount taken from the block/slab/ingot? err.. to simplify.. Since 5 pounds of mithril isn't the same amount of material as 5 pounds of imflass, will the forging system take that into account?"

Mikos nods to Redzy.

Sintalis asks, "Was having an IMBEDDABLE crude iron forging-hammer a bug?"

Mikos says, "Yes, Sintalis, it was a bug."

Caransereg says, "more interesting, include the weapon training in some way in the forging skill, you'd be best at forging weapons ye are trained to use"

Mikos says, "I chose to do that through the profession handicap, Caransereg."

Cemb says, "I'm gonna ask me question ok Mikos? :)"

Mikos nods to Cemb.

Tanzra asks, "Mikos, will longswords have a glyph?"

Mikos nods to Tanzra.

Claridar says, "If ye need any help building the forges, hauling the anvils, etc, I'd be glad to help Mikos"
(Claridar rubs her hands together excitedly)

Mikos winks at Claridar.

Elixx asks, "Mikos will the Foraging hammers be swingable, so that we may be able to see the +1-+3 on it or if there was any plus on them?"

Mikos says, "The forging-hammers will never function as weapons."

Tanzra says, "Mikos, how do you choose yout test victi--err people"
Tanzra says, "why cant they ever chose us commom folk for anything "
Tanzra says, "I wanna test things once in a while"

Mikos says, "Tanzra, this time the testers were chosen by their ongoing involvement in the plotline. I have no idea how they might be chosen next time."

Cemb says, "How exactly are the racial, stat, profession, material, bonuses added into crafting and forging, with forging all those things are added in in the hammer skill in the first place? Or some after, or both? Will a person with higher stats always be better at forging and or crafting even if thier skill is lower? Also the level of the magical hammer would almost have to be made from mithril to give the highest possible level of quality for bonus. For instance my elegant vultite hammer vrs my superior mithril hammer. The superior and elegant having weight on the forge attempt and the mithril and vultite not."

Mikos says, "Cemb, I'm not sure if I understood your question."

Cemb asks, "The first part or the second?"
Cemb says, "There where actually two questions in that"

Mikos says, "It was long enoug that we should address it another time, Cemb. :)"

Cemb says, "And second, what's the point of making a hammer out of a material other than mithril, there really isn't is there? You're only kicking yourself in the foot by increasing the material hampering and not getting any effect in the forge"

Mikos says, "Making hammers of any magical material is purely personal choice, Cemb. I purposely built in no overt reason for choosing high plus materials."

Cemb asks, "But if you did want to use a higher material, your hammer is going to almost certainly be less, or your going to have a lesser chance of creating a more useful hammer right?"

Mikos nods to Cemb.

Mikos says, "Or you simply need a higher skill in order to make it, Cemb."

Elixx asks, "Will there then be a way to tell if you have crafted a +1 - 3 into your forging hammer?"

Mikos nods to Elixx.

Daggorr asks, "Which plotline started up the forge?"

Mikos says, "The plotline that started the forge was what has developed into the threat of the Baron of Jantalar invading the Landing."

Lurch says, "are there any plans to stabilize the economy of metals, Mikos? An example would be a forty plus pound mein shard, which would be enough to make 4 broadswords, by Tykel's standards, but was basically worthless around town for it's metal value."

Mikos says, "Even with the forge, it's basically worthless, Lurch. The fact that a shard is capable of other uses renders it unusable by the forge."

Mikos says, "I need to head for bed."

Mikos smiles.

Mikos bows.

Mikos says, "Thanks for your time and your interest, folks."

Mikos waves to Cemb.

Mikos suddenly fades out of sight.

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