Crafting

Production was an integral part of Medieval Society and was inseparable from the day to day lives of those that lived in that period. It was a time of self-sufficiency where everyone had a rudimentary understanding of every craft. However there were also those that truly excelled in a specific craft and made it their professions, the fame of these masters would spread well beyond the borders of their nation and men from exotic lands would come to them seeking their products.

Gloria Victis will be attempting to recreate this prestige associated with being a Master Craftsman. Crafting in Gloria Victis is extended through mini-activities at each crafting process where the skill of the player, not chance is the determining factor of success. Which of the ten trades will you attempt to Master?

## Husbandry and Culinary Arts

Living off the bounties of the earth is most certainly one of the most wholesome professions in the realm. A studious mind is vital for success in this profession in order to learn the many processes of food preparation from field to plate. In this profession, one will learn how to cultivate and harvest crops and fruits and then turning these basic ingredients into various culinary delights. An army cannot march on an empty stomach and the ability to provide wholesome meals will be a much sought after service. While it is true one can sustain themselves with wild berries and roots scavenged from the woods, it pales in comparison to the benefits that a proper meal a skilled chef can provide. A well nourished adventurer will be able to recover more quickly from wounds and swing their sword arm with more vigour. Those that decide to foray into this trade will also be able to create various brews of alcohol, nothing compares to a roasted suckling pig with beer on the side after a hard day of soldiering!

## Tailoring and Leatherworking

This craft is one of the most versatile professions, those that choose to apprentice in this trade will learn how to clean animal skins as well as the complicated processes involved in tanning. Leather then can be sewn into various garments and is greatly sought after by those who favour mobility such as hunters, lumberjacks and archers. The applications of leather however is extensive from mechanisms on siege equipment to components of heavier steel armours. The profession other than manufacturing products serving a more practical nature also create clothing of a more ornamental nature, making things such as flowing silk dresses and suits for noblemen. A tailor is sure to find work in the realm as no one in their right mind would want to walk in the nude.

## Armoursmithing

Great responsibility is vital in this profession, any small flaw in the product can result in the death of another. An Armoursmith is a blacksmith who wishes to specialize in the forging of armour. This profession will deal with the forging of heavy armours such as chain-mail and breastplates from various metals and metal alloys. Though one of the most complicated professions, their services will be sought after greatly by the nobility or those with a rich purse as they craft the most powerful albeit the most cumbersome and restrictive armours in the realm. The armourer will also be able to fashion protective equipment for great warhorses for those that choose to fight on horseback. Favourable relations must be built with other craftsmen as components used to forge heavy armours are most often produced by other trades.

## Weapon Forging

Those that wish to craft weapons of war will choose to train under this discipline of smithing. Those that wish to take on this profession must have a keen eye but most importantly - Patience. A fine blade takes hundred if not thousands of swings of the hammer to craft and any imperfections must be spotted immediately. Like their armoursmith counterpart, weaponsmiths must also rely on the good grace of the other professions to supply them with raw materials such as ores, wood and leather in order to craft implements that will claim many lives on the field. Long Swords, Axes, Polearms and Spears, which implement of destruction will you craft?

## Woodworking

Thinking outside of the box epitomizes this profession, woodworkers are able to turn an otherwise mundane raw material into various implements such as furniture and components for other implements. Woodworkers will always be at the beck and call of society due to their practical products offered in terms of construction materials and interior design. Woodworkers will also be able to find work of a more military nature and learn the ways of the bowyer, crafting ranged weapons that will claim the lives of foes who will see the arrows before the archer. Those that excel in this craft will be able to craft bows with enough draw strength to pierce all but the strongest armour and fletch arrows that fly straight and true. Woodworking is a very dual-natured profession due to its peaceful as well as military applications.

## Hunting and Forestry

These men live a life in the rugged wilderness living off the fruits of the forest, they are attuned with the behaviours of the other inhabitants of the wood and as such know how to correctly set snares and traps to catch various types of animals. Woodsmen are able to quickly skin an animal and do minimal damage to its pelt and as such are the main source of raw materials for the leatherworking profession. Woodsmen are also skilled arborists and many other craftsmen rely on woodsmen to supply them with a steady supply of wood. Certainly the most carefree of the professions with littles rules and no worry about facilities, the entire world is their workshop.

## Herbalism and Alchemy

Students of herbalism will learn to differentiate poisonous plants from plants with positive remedial properties. The herbalists’ deep understanding of the properties of the plants allows them to concoct mixtures fit for every situation ranging from curative potions to deadly weapon poison. Herbalists are irreplaceable in society whether it be curing minor ailments of the populace or preventing unnecessary casualties in battles. Those that wish to go beyond the conventional study of herbs will be able to extend themselves through the more experimental stage of Alchemy, creating mixtures not simply limited to the sap of plants.

## Mining and Metallurgy

If you are not afraid of hard work then the mining profession is the one suited for you. As an apprentice under this craft, you will learn to identify the different sorts of ores as well as their corresponding extraction method. The art of refinement is also a key part of this profession, one must learn how to extract the desired metal from the raw ore as well as the correct ratios for creating metal alloys. A miner most certainly will never be idle as the products of this trade is demanded by almost every other profession, though very physical work certainly one of the most popular trades.

## Artificing

A steady hand is a must for this craft for artificers perform some of the most intricate work in the realm. Artificers are able to craft various accessories for adventurers ranging from crude boar teeth necklaces to highly valuable rings made of precious metals. The artificer however must rely on tradesmen from several other professions for their raw materials such as animal parts and metals. Artificers will also be able to perform ornamentations for existing equipment such as crafting a jewelled pommel for masterwork swords or decorating armour for aesthetic purposes.

## Engineering

Those with a fine mathematical mind will excel in this craft. Engineers are a vital addition to any Warband, constructing grand machines capable of demolishing the thickest of fortifications. Engineers also are able to create defensive mechanisms such as pitfall traps and dead-wire traps to protect castles from invaders and homes from unwelcome guests. Engineers also have a rudimentary understanding of architecture and are capable of interior design, designing and constructing structures. Engineers will utilize the aid of all other trades for the raw materials required in the construction of their implements.