Smithing

by Miso of the Kage-Kitsune

This document will be a look at the techniques of forging. Within will be both pure fact and some speculation upon the potential of unavailable techniques and processes.

The Very Basics

So, what is smithing? At the very basic level of understanding it is taking a piece of metal and turning it into something of use or value. There are many different forms of smithing – Blacksmithing (which produces simple items like pans, nails and other household goods – typically from Iron), Goldsmiths and Silversmiths (who works with their namesake metals to, typically, produce fine jewellery), Bladesmiths, Swordsmiths and Weaponsmiths (who works mostly with Iron and Steel to produce fine weapons) and Armoursmiths, to name but a few. There are many other types of smiths, many of whom specialise on either a single type of material to work or a single type of item to work, and thus name their profession for that.

The Forges

Fire Forging – The vast majority of smithing is done with a non-magical fire forge, which produces practical, yet mostly unremarkable goods. The Armourers Guild possess the magical Fire forge known as Waylands Ember, with which they produce far higher quality, and often magical items.

Cold Forging – The Armourers also possess the magical Cold Forge with which extremely powerful or difficult to work items can be produces, such as Bane weapons or items requiring mithril. Due to it’s unusual nature it is very difficult to use, and only those who have received the highest level of training from the Guild can master it’s techniques.

Air Forging – No Air Forge is currently known to exist within the Heartlands or Southlands, however much research has been done on the matter. Powered by an Air Elemental, an Air Forge is capable of producing a much gentler and more precisely controlled heat than a Fire Forge, and thus would be more useful in the creation of materials that are worked at lower heats, or that may be damaged by the flames of a Fire Forge. If you wish to learn more speak to Miso of the Kage Kitsune

Earth Forging – Like the Air Forge, there is no known Earth forge available to the Heartlands nations. Much less research has been done on the Earth forge, but it is speculated that may help to simplify larger smithing jobs, or speed up the production of the easiest of smithing works.

Additionally, you may hear of some metalsmiths referring to them having “cold forged” without the guilds help, typically when working softer metals such as gold or silver. This is because it is possible to work these softer metals without the heat of a forge simply by hitting them with a hammer. We sometimes refer to such as Cool Forging.
You may also frequently hear the term Cold Forged Iron. While sometimes this is an accurate description (particularly when referring to Fae Bane weapons), more frequently it refers to iron that has been worked into its current shape without the heat of a Fire Forge, and thus is no more dangerous or magical than any other Iron tool, although Fae are typically more cautious and uncomfortable around it.

Quenching

Quenching is the method by which the metals are returned to normal room temperatures, and different methods can result in different effects upon the blades.

Cold/Water Quenching – This is the most common method of quenching, whereby the hot metal is plunged into a bucket of water, ice or snow to cool it rapidly. Particularly when working steel, Water quenching is known to harden the steel.

Fire Quenching – Used in a few magical forging jobs using the cold forge, the metal is quickly heated in a Fire Forge.

Air Quenching – Left to cool in a steam of air, or naturally in an open area, this method is the slowest. However it is required to produce Affect and Bane weapons.

Earth Quenching – Cooled by placing the metal into earth of some form, frequently sand or dirt, or occasionally clay. Earth Quenching changes the very pattern of the metals and transmutes them to another form, as noted in other documents, which I won’t repeat here. It is possible to utilize Earth Quenching before working the material by heating it first, burying it in your chosen earth, and retrieving it 24 hours later in its new form.

Earth Quenching is often erroneously referred to by some as Earth Forging, although as discussed earlier that name correctly belongs to another process (admittedly one which is barely known of in the Heartlands)