Metalworker
They make swords AND plows...
Ever since Deres made his monumental discovery beyond the Northern Ring, metal has been an essential part of Thangien culture. Encouraged and inspired by Eyurodin, Goddess of the Forge, Thangiens have sought perfection in their craft. But because Peirolyth is the smallest of the Four Corners, and there are limited numbers of forges and foundries to work at any given time, not everyone is afforded the privilege of working under the watchful eye of the Lady of Flames. Many apply to learn, few persevere, even fewer succeed, and fewer still achieve mastery. Unlike the other institutions of Bainshaebo, there is no "Master Metalworker", for that title belongs to Eyurodin alone. Anyone can learn how to beat a horseshoe or cast a spoon, but the greatest honor for any artisan is to work beneath the High Forge.
Career
Qualifications
Reasonable hand-eye coordination is a must to avoid unfortunate accidents and smashing of hands or fingers. Willingness and ability to tolerate heat for significant periods of time when working near the High Forge and the connected smelter. Innovation is crucial most of all, as plainly-adorned implements will not warrant praise from customers, much less the Goddess of the Forge.
Career Progression
Apprentices can be either scouted out by senior metalworkers, apply directly, or in truly rare cases, be recruited by Eyurodin herself. There is no singular Master as with Master Breeder or Master Playwright, thus those who have demonstrated the highest skill possible are merely described as having attained mastery of the craft. None but the absolute clumsiest boob ever fails at the craft, but if a coveted position in Peirolyth cannot be secured, artisans can easily ply their trade elsewhere in the city be it the Pavilion or the Lonesteads.
Payment & Reimbursement
Minted currency is rarely ever used in Bainshaebo, so metalworkers barter their services in exchange for desired goods. A seamstress might need delicately wrought needles and compensate with fine clothes. A rider at Mazzan might need shoes for their steed and compensate in either raw or tooled leather goods. A Lonesteader might need blades for tilling and compensate with crops or even a home-cooked meal. The most skilled in the craft get paid the highest for weapons. For the miners who keep the forges amply supplied, metalworkers may offer to repair or furnish new equipment entirely in exchange for raw ore. Quantity does not always trump quantity, as prominent Houses often pay for ornate blades that can be used in a duel on top of denoting their noble status. A hundred swords forged in identical fashion might fetch a similar price to a single jeweled blade but take significantly more time to complete.
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The King Enraged
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Mardrena
Made with Inkscape
Other Benefits
For most, simply glimpsing the Lady of Flames is a huge honor. To those who earn the right to work the facilities at the High Forge, it is an honor without compare. Eyurodin's constant presence in Peirolyth is a symbol of the Queen's covenant with the people, and that they are still very much present in their lives.
Perception
Purpose
Deres advocated for the pursuit of artisanry and innovation, believing everything from nails to spears should be crafted by hand. In addition to weapons wielded by expert warriors, metalworkers are responsible for crafting the everyday implements found in households throughout the city. Everything from thumbtacks to riding tack is crafted with expert care. Even physicians at the Traedeskaton have equipment supplied such as medical implements and delicate instruments.
Social Status
Perhaps the most critical profession of all, it is regarded with high esteem much like lawyers, doctors, or teachers on the Oldworld. The only significant groups who seem to actively shun metalworking are the plains nomads, who prefer implements of wood, leather, and bone, and the River-Men who-despite needing metal components for their boats-simply cannot be bothered with the craft and prefer to barter sulfur harvested from the Salt in exchange for whatever parts they might need.
Demographics
Metalworking is perhaps the single most popular field of the Four Corners and pursued by those who do not have the patience for medical studies or scribbling away at a lectern. Aspiring warriors seek to learn how to make a weapon of their own before learning how to use it.
Normally considered an exclusively Thangien profession, during the current Thangien-Thunthen war, POWs captured on the Oldworld have been sent to Peirolyth to serve penance under Eyurodin's watchful eye. While there is significant grumbling that the Dragon-Men take up coveted forge spots, their skill in crafting cannot be denied, and they are treated cordially by the Lady of Flames herself and enjoy limited freedoms and privileges in Bainshaebo.
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Fire-Stone Academy
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Mardrena
Made in Realistic Paint Studio
History
The earliest metalworkers in existence on Thanged worked alongside Oorotin, as she was known in the earliest days. But metal was scarce back then, and available resources in Peirolyth dwindled throughout the cycles. Deres returned from his trek abroad with samples of a miraculous metal which allowed the craft to reach untold heights. During the City-Strife, Yapign the Vulgar Tyrant attempted to enslave many metalworkers, including Deres himself, only for Eyurodin to remind him they answered to her authority, not his. As crucial as ever in the modern day, the most skilled artisans work the facilities in Peirolyth on a daily basis, never suffering a shortage of work especially with blood running hot between Thangiens and their rivals from Planet Thunthen.
Notable Figures
Eyurodin, Lady of Flames
Thanged's Goddess of the Forge. One of the Four Queens, her divine sphere is artisanry and innovation. She taught early Men the secrets of beating and shaping metal during the founding of Bainshaebo. Spends practically all of her time at the High Forge in Peirolyth. Ironically both the most visible and least sociable of the gods.
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Eyurodin, Goddess of the Forge
by
Mardrena
Made with Inkscape, BlackInk, and Paint.net
Deres the Father of Metal
One of the greatest minds in Thangien history. Pioneered and developed several fields of artisanry, including animal husbandry, medicine, writing, and of course metalworking.King Wuelro
The doomed Last King of the House of St'lur. Once had incredible potential but had to abandon his studies during the Genesis Plague. Slew his disease-maddened mother, Queen Payina, using a spear forged by his own hand before assuming the throne.Chi Chi Lina, Australa
Ander and Yainae's youngest daughter. Despite her unassuming appearance, she has demonstrated incredible skill creating and repairing weapons as well as a knack for getting into trouble. Eyurodin seems to favor her, likely out of respect for Ander.Operations
Tools
No artisan can work without a mallet, and all mallets are crafted in the likeness of Starforger, Eyurodin's personal divine instrument. Because metalworkers aspire to emulate Eyurodin, they signify their allegiance to her through their hammerstrokes. Anvils can be found in Peirolyth itself or created on the field by casting metal. Necessary protective gear is the responsibility of any working the forge, and smaller instruments such as forceps, tongs, and clamps are generally provided by fellow artisans.
Materials
On the Oldworld, metals such as iron, steel, or copper would be viewed as cheap and abundant, but on Thanged, where the Basek de Rhakka yields a limitless supply of dererium, Deres' metal is the most common ingredient in any project. Other metals such as copper, gold, and silver can be incorporated into jewelry or decorative inlays in weapons. Leather can be added to hilts, scabbards, or armor, and clay or sand is sometimes required for casting molds.
Workplace
Part of training involves being able to construct a mobile forge from available materials, so should a metalworker fail to qualify for an esteemed position at the High Forge, they can easily establish facilities of their own wherever they choose be it a shop at the Pavilion, straight out of home, or even out on the Lonesteads.
Provided Services
Anything and everything that can be envisioned, a metalworker can fabricate. Whether it is decorative components of attire, ornate jewelry, construction materials, pen nibs, or more recently entire suits of space-worthy armor to outfit the current war-host.
Dangers & Hazards
Missed hammer strikes can prove the most hazardous of all: a particularly clumsy student might permanently ruin their chances to develop their talent if they smash their fingers to bits so much, all the Richtho tea in the Traedeskaton cannot mend the shattered metacarpals. Heat fatigue and inhalation are additional risks even with the advanced ventilation systems Peirolyth possesses. Metalworkers' outfits often integrate personal protective gear like heavy gloves and heat visors or aprons. Perhaps most of all is angering Eyurodin, as she does not tolerate tomfoolery in the hallowed halls of the High Forge. Any idiot caught trying to misuse the foundries and smelters earn themselves a one-way ticket to the Lonesteads to scoop manure out of stables.
Alternative Names
Forgesingers, metalsmiths
Type
Artisan
Demand
High
Legality
All artisans are protected through Eyurodin's Covenant, which states that no blade may bring harm upon its maker.
Famous in the Field
Other Associated professions
Related Locations
Related Materials
All artwork used is self-made and belongs to me unless otherwise stated, such as kitbashes and commissions. Age of Defiance does not and will not use or feature RW/YST original artwork out of consideration for the OAS creators
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