A few pages on Elanthipedia for Kaldar, Gorbesh, and Gnomes were updated to make it slightly easier to find some lore. Additionally, two new materials and one new technique have been added to Elanthipedia. You're free to request the technique on items now and the materials will likely show up in shops in the future.

Windsteel
Price per volume: 50000
Description: A traditional developed by the Gorbesh and continued by the Kaldar, making windsteel is similar to the process of making steel, however, it is only done in high mountains in winter. Instead of using water to cool the steel, The Kaldar use snow, which typically causes steel to shatter, however, the Kaldar circumvent this by infusing the steel with a blending of Elemental magics. The results tend to leave the steel with a dull finish with whorling whirlwind designs throughout the ingots. Once used to craft, the metal may be polished, but never achieves a mirror shine.

Spiritwood
Price per volume: 70000-200000 (the more pure white, the more value)
Description: Spiritwood can be made from any existing wood and involves a process of putting them through magical bleaching regime. The secret to doing this is closely guarded by the Kaldar and Gnomes and is a new technique that is not known to the Gorbesh. Ideally, the wood becomes pure white, but lesser quality pieces may have striations or flecking that reveals the original wood. In the cases of making spiritwood from valuable woods, this is sometimes preferred.


Firestaining Techniques
Originally developed by Gorbesh Gnomes, the technique of firestaining is utilized by the Gorbesh, the Kaldar, and the Gnomes. Firestaining can be done to nearly any metal and is done by utilizing Elemental magics to control the heat of a forge fire to create stylized and silhouetted designs. Coloration varies from black, grey, charcoal, and can be tinged with crimson or orange red along the edges. Kaldar utilize the technique primarily, but recognize Gnomes as the masters of this technique as they are often much more capable of coaxing the most detailed designs.

Enjoy!

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NaOH+HI

>>Ideally, the wood becomes pure white, but lesser quality pieces may have striations or flecking that reveals the original wood. In the cases of making spiritwood from valuable woods, this is sometimes preferred.

How do you reference the base wood that was Spiritwood-ed?

Would you say something like "a plank of pale white spiritwood with dragonwood flecks"?

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Uzmam! The Chairman will NOT be pleased to know you're trying to build outside of approved zones. I'd hate for you to be charged the taxes needed to have this place re-zoned. Head for the manor if you're feeling creative.

Does the density of either source material change when turned into spiritwood or windsteel? Could they be used for weapons/etc. or are they totally decorative?

All three new things sound really lovely. Definitely want to work with them.

I like this. Thank you.

Would it be appropriate to have a spiritwood haft? Or a staff? I assume the answer is yes, but wanted to ask.

What about armor and weapons using the metal? Appropriate for chain, or plate, or shields? Cutting edged and blunts? I kind of figure no here.

>>Would it be appropriate to have a spiritwood haft? Or a staff? I assume the answer is yes, but wanted to ask.
Yes.


>>What about armor and weapons using the metal? Appropriate for chain, or plate, or shields? Cutting edged and blunts? I kind of figure no here.
Currently, all of these are entirely fine.


>>glarmencouplers
Sure.

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NaOH+HI

THANK YOU. These are all awesome and fitting. LOVE that 2/3 are flexible and work with multiple materials. Also love the Elemental and winter themes.

Could the windsteel technique be applied to other metals? Windtyrium? Wind-etched tyrium?


- Navesi

>>Right now, it's unique to steel. Primarily because I don't want to read through ALL the other metal lores to see which ones the technique could potentially work with.

Fair enough. Although you may want to consider that any metal that can be smelted and forged in game will need to be cooled and therefore should be compatible with the windsteel method. All current metal weapons are also subject to the Ignite spell, which suggests none have any particular resistance to Elemental magic. They MAY be subject to differences based on their enchantability, but I don't think there are any completely un-enchantable metals.

...yes I do want wind-forged tyrium. :D


- Navesi

>>Out of curiosity, just for the name, the design, the lore, or the Elemental bit?

As the player of a Kaldar Elementalist, windsteel is especially appealing to me. I imagine it's mainly due to it being Kaldar lore, but the Elemental flavor, the design, and the name are all very appealing to me, especially considering I lean toward Ice/Air as my elements. But still, mainly due to the Kaldar lore. This is why my main weapon is made of white ironwood, the only Kaldar material I knew of prior to now -- save moen takibena which has never been available.

Ideally I'd like to end up with several different staves, since they are my thing. I might like to end up with one of white ironwood, one of spiritwood, one of glaes, and one of tyrium (eventually). I could do a firestained metal one but again, Ice/Air vein is more appealing to me. Tyrium would be my choice for it, since glaes is so pretty on its own.


- Navesi

I'm assuming that windsteel would also work for spangleflanges and rackensprockets too? :D These are important things that I must know!

And thanks for the lore! I really appreciate the effort :)

>>I actually just had a chat with Kodius about these last night.

If Kodius is involved I'm hoping this means we'll see crafting them make a glorious return.

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Uzmam! The Chairman will NOT be pleased to know you're trying to build outside of approved zones. I'd hate for you to be charged the taxes needed to have this place re-zoned. Head for the manor if you're feeling creative.

>>While I currently play no gnome, I am very interested in hearing more about Kodious and the glorious return of spangleflanges and rackensprockets, that are possibly also coming in Wintersteel!

Originally posted:

Don't forget about Glarmencouplers! ;)

Edit:

OOOPPPS! Didn't realize they were already mentioned. Can you tell I'm a boards newb? :P Seriously though, I'm horrible about reading the boards but I'm super excited to see more Gnome stuff!! If you need any ideas... :D ;) :D