Apprentice Materials

The craft of the Metallurgist is one fraught with care and consideration. Steel may take the glory, but the smaller materials are what make a weapon whole. To help you on your way, Jean, I have set down a few instructions to set you straight in the finding of the tertiary materials required in the crafting of the finest arms. Thick Branch A stout branch makes a fine addition when crafting any manner of melee weapon, whether for hafting, bracing, or simple utility in the shaping of a piece. The easiest place to procure such things is in kindling piles throughout the forest, where branches are gathered and stacked by woodcutters. There are usually several to be found in any good pile. It must also be said that many a man sees fit to stir the latrine with a thick branch as well, though I shall leave that particular use to your imagination. Whetstone I scarcely need to tell you the value of a proper whetstone. No edge worth carrying was ever made dull on purpose. These are commonly found in blacksmiths’ chests, tooling bins, and along workbenches, where men who know their trade keep them close at hand. Look in such places and you will often find them in abundance. Pine Oil Used to treat the shaft, polish the metal, and fortify the finished piece, pine oil is a modest thing that serves many purposes. The easiest place to discover it is among the contents of tooling bins and workbenches, where it is stored alongside the other necessities of the trade. There are other places besides, of course. Keep an eye out wherever craftsmen gather and ply their work. If you fail to find these things where honest labour is done, you will end up buying them from those who did the looking before you. Best to search first among the tools of men who work with their hands.