Lore:Smithing

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A smith (Legends)

Smithing or blacksmithing is the act and art of working and forging metals, such as iron, into any desired shape.[1][2] Metalworking is the process of shaping metals to smith new items. Metallurgy is the process of producing and purifying metals through techniques such as smelting and casting.[3]

Institutions[edit]

Tamriel[edit]

The Earth Forge, a repurposed Dwemer forge used by the Fighters Guild

Various cultures and organizations had their own approaches to the art of smithing, each making unique contributions and choices, including distinctive styles and materials.[4][5] For instance, Highland Bretons are credited with the invention of the claymore.[6]

Smiths were employed by the Fighers Guild, and numerous Templar Knightly Orders.[7][8]

The Morkul Clan of Wrothgar are well regarded across Orcish society as master smiths and metalworkers.[9] Chief among them was the ancient smith, Nuzava, who defined the Morkul Clan's distinctive style of weapons and armor.[10] Coins minted in the furnaces of Old Orsinium are now considered rare and valuable.[11]

During the Akaviri Potentate in 2E 321, Versidue-Shaie gave his approval for the Guild Act, which sanctioned numerous guilds and businesses. For example, the Act officially sanctioned the Tinkers Guild, a guild established for itinerant tinsmiths.[12] As of 2E 582, smiths were already benefiting as a result of the Guild Act. The establishment of pan-Tamrielic guilds resulted in greater diffusion of knowledge, which allowed many smiths to learn of interesting metals used only in distant lands, and this drove demand and trade for those materials.[13] All the sanctioned guilds named in the Guild Act, and those formed later, were thereafer protected by the Empire of Cyrodiil, even into the Third Era, but would be required to pay if they wanted to expand their influence. The Empire was strengthened by the Guild Act,[12] and the creation of guilds was considered beneficial for the Tamriel as a whole.[14]

The Daggerfall Covenant was known to have some of the finest blacksmiths in Tamriel in its time.[15]

During the Second Era, smiths frequently utilized distinctive materials to create diverse armors and incorporated unique gemstones and minerals to enhance their craft, improving their equipment with unique qualities.[5][16][17] Skilled blacksmiths possessed the ability to decipher the metal's inherent qualities, allowing them to select the most suitable trait during the forging process, provided they had conducted thorough research. Furthermore, they could enhance the item's sharpness, add extra weight, and make other alterations if necessary. To achieve advanced levels of craftsmanship, they used various style books, which circulated throughout Tamriel at that time. A small variety of tempers were employed to make armor and weapons stronger and more resistant.[18][19] To obtain official recognition as a Smith, one had to pass a certification test held in many of the major cities.[20][17] Obtaining such certificates enabled the smiths to accept a diverse range of contracts.[21]

As of 3E 405, smiths in the region of the Iliac Bay were often hired to craft weapons and armors, as well as to do some repairs at various stores. They were also known to train apprentices. The goldsmiths were known to create necklaces, rings, bracelets, and occasionally armor. Silversmiths worked with silver and mithril, and crafted weapons made of those materials. Ebonysmiths were known for their ebony products.[22]

Circa 3E 427, the Vvardenfell Fighters Guilds and Redoran smiths forged armor specifically designed for women.[23]

Oblivion[edit]

Fargrave Crafting Plaza

The mortal inhabitants of the Shivering Isles have two specialized smithing traditions, namely the smithing of amber and madness ore. By long tradition, the city of New Sheoth houses two rival master smiths: the amber smith of Bliss, and the madness ore smith of Crucible.[24][25] By 4E 201, these crafting methods had spread to Tamriel after a master arcane blacksmith named Evethra managed to learn the secrets of working with these materials, albeit losing her mind in the process.[26][27]

The realm of Fargrave possesses a crafting plaza where mortal and Daedric smiths alike gather from across the planes to trade and practice their craft.[28][29] The Saraathu Tong employed mage-smiths. Numerous blacksmiths incorporate magic into their work, but smithing through magic is considered far more uncommon.[30]

The Hollow City in Coldharbour has on occasion possessed mortal blacksmiths, who ply their craft in the hostile realm under Meridia's protection.[31] Black Forge is located in southeastern Coldharbour, and is a massive facility where Molag Bal's troops have their arms and armor forged.[32][33]

Notable Smiths[edit]

Eorlund Gray-Mane, once considered the best smith in Skyrim

Notable Forges[edit]

A sword and anvil (Castles)

Spread across Tamriel are many other unnamed forges which provide unique effects to weapons, armor and jewelry created in such places.[34] The creative skill of the smiths who have worked these forges has imbued the sites with the divine spark of creativity, transforming the local reality such that items crafted there possess certain unique attributes.[35] Among such places were the forges located at the Ayleid ruin of Sariellen's Sword,[36] and Druadach Redoubt.[37] Yet another example is Night's Silence, which was created by the mad wizard Mesanthano due to the arcane power which still lingers in places such as his ruined tower.[38]

Artifacts[edit]

Some legendary artifacts are associated with the art of smithing:

Notes[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Smiths[edit]

Forges[edit]

Other[edit]

See Also[edit]

Books[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Smithing: A Worthy EndeavorCuinaamo, Great Sage of the Forge
  2. ^ Blacksmithing BasicsZeg gra-Dush
  3. ^ Blacksmithing skills in ESO
  4. ^ Crafting MotifsDoctor Alfidia Lupus and Seif-ij Hidja
  5. ^ a b Style Materials in ESO
  6. ^ Garothmuk gro-Muzgub's dialogue in Morrowind
  7. ^ Sabine Laul's dialogue in Oblivion
  8. ^ Knightly Orders in Daggerfall
  9. ^ King Kurog's dialogue in ESO: Orsinium
  10. ^ Nuzava's Anvil
  11. ^ Old Orsinium Coins description
  12. ^ a b History of the Fighters Guild
  13. ^ Master Assistant Materials Acquirer Pacrooti Answers Your QuestionsPacrooti
  14. ^ Avita Pitio's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
  15. ^ Loading screen tip in Legends
  16. ^ Trait Materials in ESO
  17. ^ a b Millenith's dialogue in ESO
  18. ^ Maesa's dialogue in ESO
  19. ^ Tempers in ESO
  20. ^ Events of Blacksmith Certification in ESO
  21. ^ Events of Blacksmith Writ in ESO
  22. ^ Blacksmith, Apprentice, Goldsmith, Silversmith and Ebonysmith greetings in Arena
  23. ^ LeFemm Armor in Morrowind
  24. ^ Cutter's dialogue in Oblivion: Shivering Isles
  25. ^ Dumag gro-Bonk's dialogue in Oblivion: Shivering Isles
  26. ^ Note on Amber and Madness OreThoron
  27. ^ Evethra's JournalEvethra
  28. ^ Fessoshaz's dialogue in ESO: The Deadlands
  29. ^ Ioloola's dialogue in ESO: The Deadlands
  30. ^ Ravam Drom's dialogue in ESO: The Deadlands
  31. ^ Bends-Iron's dialogue in ESO
  32. ^ The Prophet's dialogue during Daughter of Giants in ESO
  33. ^ Projection of Vanus Galerion's dialogue during Vanus Unleashed in ESO
  34. ^ Felarian's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  35. ^ Master Assistant Materials Acquirer Pacrooti Answers Your QuestionsPacrooti
  36. ^ Sariellen's Sword in ESO: Blackwood
  37. ^ Druadach Redoubt in ESO: Markarth
  38. ^ Mesanthano's Tower

Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.

  1. ^ Skyrim Concept Art by Adam Adamowicz