This is almost verbatim from an email that I (Ethelwyn) sent to Tanghos and Norgan...I edited the spelling and cleaned up the last bit (which had to do with other issues). If you have issues with this page, suggestion etc, please email me at smithcraft@usa.net.

To: Tanghos,Norgan
From: Ethelwyn
Subject: Subcrafts

I guess maybe we need to clear up some fuss with Subcrafts. This is MY personal perspective on how the breakdown of Subcrafting goes. Basically it's 'App's start, Journemen specialize, Masters perfect.'

With subcrafts, and I only believe the big 6 (Machining, Chemistry, GlassWork, Architect, Metalworking, and Math) should be subcrafts, it's possible to specialize within a subcraft. To be honest, if we made a subcraft for EVERY single possibility, we'd have more subcrafts than Smiths. That makes no sense in my mind, and even in the military says that all 'apprentices' start out in big groups and THEN move on to their specialties. For glasswork, you could 'specialize' in lenses, cutlery, or art. OR anything else you could think of that gets approved. Maybe we ought to have another field for 'specialty' within a subcraft...Basically that's how it works RL.

With that, I've outlined an example of someone's progression through the rank system:

Jr. Apprentice - Studies EVERYTHING in generality

Apprentice - Begins to specialize in a chosen Subcraft, i.e.: Metalwork

Sr. Apprentice - Works more in chosen subcraft.

Journeyman - Specializes within Chosen Subcraft, i.e.: Metal: jewelry, weaponry, or tools

Masters - Achieves perfection, develops new techniques and teaches.

That just about covers it.