Skills and knowledge crafts
Crafting skills in Onward Mud unlock corresponding knowledge crafts tailored to that skill. These knowledge crafts are influenced by a character's race and region of origin, branching out as skill levels increase. Mastery of a craft grants access to rare and elusive knowledge, some of which may be exclusive to experienced individuals or stumbled upon during their adventures.
For example, when faced with a mysterious creature terrorizing the countryside, a seasoned hunter native to the region might possess valuable insights into the nature of the threat. Alternatively, a foreigner skilled in animal husbandry could offer a different perspective.
These knowledge crafts serve as roleplay tools, reflecting a character's unique expertise and experiences in their chosen field. While characters from the same race and region are likely to share similar knowledge, higher skill levels and related skills increase the likelihood of uncovering unique knowledge crafts associated with that skill.
Examples of knowledge crafts
Novice Hunter
As a fledgling hunter you know:
The tanglenest tree is a familiar sight around the town of Haven, particularly flourishing in the southern regions. Standing at around six feet in height, it boasts a slender, spindly frame. Its branches, characterized by their pliable nature and reed-like thinness, form a dense network that intertwines and tangles, earning the tree the moniker "Tanglenest."
This dense foliage serves as a haven for avian creatures, providing them with a protective shelter from predators. For hunters, this can pose a challenge, especially when attempting to capture birds for food. The tangled branches make it difficult to access the birds within, often leading to frustration and wasted effort. As a result, hunters generally avoid attempting to flush out birds that have taken refuge within the tangled embrace of the Tanglenest tree.
Apprentice Logger
As a fledgling logger you know:
The Tanglenest tree is a common sight nearby Haven, particularly abundant near the southern borders. Characterized by its slender form, it typically grows to about six feet in height. Its branches are thin and flexible, often intertwining to create a tangled network, earning it the nickname "Tanglenest"
Felling a tanglenest tree presents a challenge due to its resilient nature. The tree's flexible stem can withstand blows from an axe, causing it to sway and evade each strike. Attempting to chop it down directly can be time-consuming and inefficient. Instead, the most effective method is to dig around the base and loosen the surface roots. By weakening the tree's foundation in this way, it becomes more susceptible to being toppled.
To bring down a taglenest tree, a rope is essential. Securing the rope around the base, closest to the ground, allows for leverage to be applied in the opposite direction. With enough force exerted, the tree can be uprooted and brought down safely, making it ready for salvaging.
The wood of this tree, stripped of bark and branch, are generally in demand by armor crafters. Apothecaries are occasionally interested in the bark and thorns.
As a fledgling armorcrafter you know:
You are aware that the Tanglenest tree's true name is the Calkbark tree, used to make Calk armour. Most locals around Haven are familiar with Calk armour, but unaware of it originating from the Tanglenest tree. A fact which most armorers keep quiet to continue securing the wood at a cheaper price from loggers.
Although too soft for use in bowmaking or carpentry, the Tanglenest tree has unique properties which make it popular among armorers around Haven. The wood of this tree is extremely soft and malleable. Armorers often strip small segments off a branch and subject them to a treatment process that further softens the wood. Many armorers have their own individual recipes for this process, but the most popular tends to favor the use of a special oil. The duration of exposure to the oils determines the degree of change in the wood; the longer it soaks, the more pliable it becomes. However, if left too long, it can become unworkable.
Once treated, these strips are further reduced into smaller pieces, which are meticulously woven over a wooden model—a painstaking process. The ultimate result is armor that is rigid and stiff at first but eventually conforms to its wearer, making it extremely comfortable.