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 common sight around Haven, particularly thriving in the southern regions. Reaching an average height of six feet, it has a slender, spindly frame with branches that are remarkably pliable and reed-like in their thinness. These branches weave tightly together, forming dense, tangled networks that give the tree its fitting name, "Tanglenest."
This thick, interwoven canopy is a natural refuge for birds, offering them protection from predators. However, for local hunters, the tree presents a frustrating obstacle. The tangled branches make it nearly impossible to flush out or capture birds that seek shelter within, often leading to wasted efforts. As a result, most hunters tend to avoid targeting birds that have retreated into the Tanglenest’s dense embrace.
Apprentice Logger
As a fledgling logger you know:
The Tanglenest tree is a familiar sight near Haven, especially abundant along the southern borders. Standing at around six feet tall, it’s known for its slender, flexible branches that often weave into intricate tangles, giving the tree its nickname, "Tanglenest."
Felling one of these trees is no simple task. Its flexible stem is remarkably resistant to traditional methods, bending and swaying with each axe strike. This resilience makes direct chopping both time-consuming and inefficient. The preferred approach is to dig around the base, loosening the surface roots to destabilize the tree. Once the foundation is sufficiently weakened, it becomes much easier to bring down.
The key tool in this process is a sturdy rope. By securing it tightly around the tree’s base, loggers can use leverage to pull the tree in the desired direction. With enough force applied, the tree can be safely uprooted and felled, ready for harvesting.
The wood, once stripped of bark and branches, is highly sought after by armor crafters for its unique properties. Apothecaries occasionally find interest in the bark and the tree’s sharp thorns for their own remedies and concoctions.
As a fledgling armorcrafter you know:
You might already know that the Tanglenest tree, more commonly referred to by its true name, the Calkbark tree, is the source of the renowned Calk armor. While the people of Haven are familiar with this armor, few realize that it originates from this unassuming tree, a fact armorers carefully guard to maintain lower prices when purchasing wood from local loggers.
Though far too soft for bows or general carpentry, the Tanglenest tree possesses unique qualities that make it highly prized by armorers. Its wood is remarkably pliable and easily manipulated. The process begins by stripping thin sections from the tree's branches, which are then subjected to a specialized treatment that enhances its softness. While each armorer has their own secret method for this treatment, the most widely used involves soaking the wood in a specially formulated oil. The length of time the wood is exposed to the oil is critical: the longer it soaks, the more flexible it becomes. But if left in too long, the wood becomes overly malleable and unsuitable for crafting.
Once the wood reaches the desired consistency, it's cut into smaller pieces and carefully woven around a wooden model, a labor-intensive and intricate process. The result is armor that begins stiff and rigid but gradually molds to the wearer’s shape, offering unparalleled comfort and fit over time.