[PnP] Armor stuff

[Scott Adams]

>Any comments?

The square rule is a bit too simple.  I also put into it ALOT of other factors
including:

1) Armor Skill: How skilled the actual crafter is may improve time via short
cuts and apprentice help.  Depending on other factors (see below) there is no
definite way to handle this.  But some examples in past is 1-3 days reduction
in crafting based on the skill.  Ie  20-40 -1 Day 41-60 -2 Day 61-100 -3
Days. 
As an example.  Apprentices could add to this if the armorer is a master
craftsman or a simple town blacksmith.

2) Culture: If the culture is war like then there may be a slight deduction in
time based on logic that they make more weapons/armor en mass.  Those
religious
cults who are pacifist but have an armorer would ADD days.  Also factors of
the
culture setup.  A feudal society may have more armors made than some Thocracy
would tend to.  

3) Population: This goes for culture and town population.  The larger the
population the more Armorers out there.  Thus it makes sense more skilled and
might give some reduction or at the very least avaliability of armorers.  But
if a party walks into a town of 1500 people the chances of some armorer fixing
your helmet in 2 weeks is slim since he may be busy fixing the farmers plow
shows and being part time blacksmith.

4) Materials:  Some cultures have better access to metals and gems.  Some have
to trade totally.  Some have to import their stuff.  Thus a armorer in some
place that doesn't have the materials will add time.  (metal, etc.  Fire is of
course not a factor :)).  If the enemy is seiging a border and no iron is
going
in chances of some guy fixing your stuff decreases.  Though of course
materials
is not always a factor just in 'adding' to or modifying the armor.  Not really
repair in most cases.

5) Armor type: Type of helm, armor or shield is not all created equally.  This
goes without saying.  So in that regard a squared thing is a bit too
simplistic.  Some armor has tougher metal than others.  Thus repair work will
depend on that.

I once visited Williamsburg, VA the old Colonial city where they still have a
1700s village that has not gone beyond that century.  They have a nice
blacksmith shop and armorery.  I asked questions on armor/weapon production
but
unfournately that was decade or so ago :)  I'm sure some good web search could
get some info for us.  

BTW richard what of that letter you sent? :)

Do I have answers?  Nah.  But i figured I'd post some thoughts on it.
Longshot - ZC of AdventureNet International Echomail Network
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