Smith Skills

Skills that permit complex items and objects of art to be fashioned from various inputs - mainly metals. Cultures in various degrees of development might have no access to some of those, and some may be off-limits for new players and may be learned only by quests.

The following are the Smith skills: Bronze, Iron, Silver, Gold, Gems and Rare Metals.

Bronze

The skill of not only hammering bronze into objects, but of obtaining the alloy itself from copper and tin. Obsolete in advanced societies, it still remains important throughout the backward parts of Middle-earth. Many things, from cookware to agricultural equipment, come from under the bronzesmith's anvil. Dwarves excel at this skill.

Iron

Encompasses the art of obtaining iron alloys, of modifying them to obtain stronger forms of metal (various steels) and of turning these alloys into durable objects of various uses through the process of forging and tempering. From amulets in more primitive societies to the city gates in
more advanced cultures, the iron/steelsmith is never short on orders. Dwarves excel at this skill.

Silver

The smiths with this skill are able to fashion finest, delicate works of silver - pendants, rings, clasps, but also tableware of the kings and many other fine works. This metal and the items made of it are greatly esteemed by the Elves, of greater worth to some than gold. Both Dwarves and Elves excel at this skill.

Gold

A goldsmith can turn a golden ingot into a breathtaking work of art - a ring, an engraving, a layer on another metal, thus increasing its worth many times. Gold is a soft metal and of little practical use, but its great value makes up for this deficiency. Especially valued by Dunedain,
arguably the best goldsmiths of Middle-earth - but of course Dwarves would disagree.

Gems

A skill of cutting, polishing and setting gems into the works of art. The jewelsmiths are highly knowledgeable of the properties of the precious stones and are required to put final touches on any object of art that is truly valuable. Mastery of this skill involves also the legendary secret of the Noldor - creating artificial gems. Elves excel at this skill.

Rare Metals

This rare skill is practiced among Elves and Dwarves only. It allows obtaining and working with the diverse alloys of the Noldor, of which ithildin may be mentioned - but also the 'true silver' of the Dwarves, Mithril. Off-limits to new players and normally to all other races, the Rare Metals smith is a jewel in any kingdom's crown. Dwarves excel at this skill.