Blacksmith

Solaris' blacksmiths, wielding their mastery of forge and metal, are revered for their craftsmanship and ability to create an array of items, from simple tools to intricate weapons and armor. Their expertise extends to various materials, including wood, leather, and stone, allowing them to craft a diverse range of objects. Blacksmiths stand as pillars of the community, providing essential gear for adventurers and invaluable support to allies through their creations.

Origins

The blacksmith tradition traces its roots to the Ardanians of the World's Edge, where the harsh frozen climate necessitated durable tools and weapons for survival. Early Ardanian smiths developed the first runic enhancement techniques, etching magical symbols into metal to improve durability and effectiveness against the deadly creatures of their homeland. The craft evolved significantly when it reached Thunderwing Stronghold in the Skyhold Mountains, where Dragonkin smiths incorporated their ancestral knowledge of metallurgy and heat manipulation. The modern profession took shape in Harbor City, where Captain Tillen's explorers established the first formal guild, standardizing techniques and creating an apprenticeship system that spread throughout Solaris.

Notable Locations

The Great Forge of Thunderwing Stronghold stands as the most prestigious smithing center in Solaris, where Dragonkin and Ardanian masters work side by side, crafting legendary weapons and armor using techniques passed down through generations. In Elyndaar City, the Forgelight District houses dozens of specialized smithies, each focusing on particular aspects of the craft, from ceremonial blades to reinforced armor. Korbgrad City boasts the Gorgon Steel Works, where Gorgon smiths utilize their natural connection to stone and metal to create nearly unbreakable armor for the Old Guard. Hidden deep within the World's Edge, the Aufeis Village smithies are renowned for their frost-forged weapons, tempered in the unnatural cold of ancient ice flows, creating blades that never lose their edge.

Techniques and Specializations

Armorsmithing represents perhaps the most demanding specialization, requiring intimate knowledge of anatomy, mobility requirements, and defensive principles to create effective protection that doesn't hinder movement. Weaponsmiths focus on balance, edge retention, and specialized forms suited to different combat styles, with masters able to tailor weapons to a wielder's specific fighting technique. Tool crafting, while less glamorous, remains essential to civilization—creating the implements that build cities, harvest fields, and advance technological progress. Architectural metalwork involves crafting structural components, decorative elements, and large-scale installations that combine functionality with aesthetic appeal, often seen in the grand buildings of Elyndaar City and Thunderwing Stronghold.

Race Affinities

Ardanians excel as blacksmiths, their natural understanding of metals and runes producing weapons and armor of exceptional quality in their fortress-city of Aufeis Village. Gorgons from Korbgrad bring their incredible physical strength and innate connection to earth and stone to the forge, allowing them to work metals that other races struggle to shape. Dragonkin smiths of Thunderwing Stronghold incorporate ancient draconic knowledge into their craft, especially in the magical tempering of blades. Human smiths often introduce innovative techniques from their original timelines, creating hybrid approaches that combine Earth metallurgy with Solarian materials. Guardian blacksmiths specialize in defensive armaments, their innate understanding of protection translating into shields and armor of remarkable effectiveness at turning aside blows.

Class Synergies

Warriors naturally gravitate toward blacksmithing, their intimate knowledge of combat informing their weapon and armor designs with practical understanding of battlefield needs. Knights who pursue blacksmithing create defensive equipment of unparalleled quality, incorporating their expertise in damage mitigation into every plate and joint. Techknights bring innovation to traditional smithing, integrating mechanical components and energy channeling systems into their creations at the Forgelight District of Elyndaar City. Hunters who develop smithing skills excel at crafting specialized ranged weapons and lightweight armor optimized for mobility and stealth operations in the wilderness regions of Solaris.

Magical Affinities

Fire magic forms the core of advanced blacksmithing, allowing practitioners to achieve and maintain precise temperatures for working even the most stubborn metals. Earth magic grants smiths deeper insight into the properties of their materials, revealing impurities and structural weaknesses that would otherwise remain hidden. Ice magic, though counterintuitive, enables the creation of frost-forged metals with extraordinary durability and edge retention, particularly in the World's Edge. Ciedium magic represents the cutting edge of the profession, allowing specially trained smiths to infuse their creations with the rare, sentient metal to create tools and weapons that adapt to their users' needs.

Tools of the Trade

The forge stands as the heart of any smithy—ranging from simple coal-fired hearths in frontier settlements to elaborate multi-chamber systems in Elyndaar City that can maintain different temperatures simultaneously. Anvils, often passed down through generations, become personalized through use, with the best examples crafted from rare metals or enhanced with magical properties. Hammers of various weights and shapes allow for different metalworking techniques, from heavy striking to delicate shaping. Quenching oils and baths represent closely guarded secrets among master smiths, with special mixtures and techniques creating distinctive properties in the finished metal. Pattern books containing designs accumulated over a lifetime form perhaps the most valuable possession of any accomplished blacksmith, often written in personal code to protect trade secrets.