Woodworking

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Woodworking is a craft activity that became available with the introduction of the Academy of Artificers. Various tools, from pens to walking sticks, can be created here.

Skills used

Where it is done

The main doors to the Academy of Artificers is on the south side of King's Road in Sto Lat. Travel south twice and east once to enter Stapleton's Student Supplies. One step south brings you to Academy Legibles where the south door has no knob.

You need to (syntax knock) knock on the south door with a wand, rod or a staff to enter Gildworthy's Workshop. To find which items are which, for example wands, just locate wands which will find for example thin sticks if you have any. There is a skillcheck involved with the appropriate skill to the item in the magic.items.held branch - if the door just quivers without opening, improve your skill or try another type of item if you have a better bonus in that other skill. Roughly a 150 bonus should do the trick.

Inside Gildworthy's Workshop, you will find the all important lathe and all the tools and wood rivings required to craft items from wood, stain them, and polish them to a fine finish. Although not in the workshop proper, inks can be purchased just outside in Academy Legibles.

Only the first step needs to be done in the workshop itself, assuming you take the other consumed components (sponge, wax) with you.

How it is done

Sawing (optional)

A riving may be sawn into two smaller rivings. This requires a saw, sold in the workshop.

Syntax:

saw <number> {foot|feet} from <riving> with <saw>

This is completely optional--if you have a pattern that requires, for example, a one-foot riving, you may use a longer riving without any problems. However, it does let you avoid wasting the extra wood.

Bodging

The process of creating a useable wooden object from a wood riving is called bodging. Although it is a three part process, only the first part is actually bodging.

Syntax:

turn item from <pattern | book> using <riving> on lathe
shave <wooden object> with drawknife
sand <wooden object> with sand paper

Turning on a lathe uses the skills crafts.carpentry.turning and crafts.arts.design; shaving with a drawknife and sanding with sandpaper use the skill crafts.carpentry.whittling.

Staining

To stain wooden objects you will need the following:

Syntax:

pour <ink> on sponge
stain <wooden object> with <sponge>

Repeat stain as required and sponge will be discarded as the wooden object is completely stained.

The skills crafts.arts.painting and crafts.arts.design are used for staining

The quality of the staining will appear in the item description as:

  • Poorly
  • Patchey
  • Neatly
  • Smoothly
  • Expertly

Polishing

After a wooden workpiece has been turned, shaven, and sanded, it can be finished with a bar of wax. It may also be stained before the wax is applied.

Syntax:

polish <wooden object> with <wax>

The skill crafts.carpentry.furniture is used for polishing with wax.

The item description will show the quality of the polishing work.

  • Polished to a appallingly poor sheen
  • Polished to a poorly applied sheen
  • Polished to a shabby sheen
  • Polished to a patchy sheen
  • Polished to a lustrous sheen
  • Polished to a gleaming sheen
  • Polished to a beautiful sheen

Wood types by difficulty

The quality of the wood affects the price and the difficulty of item creation. Low-quality wood is &&&&&&&&&&&&+400 $1 per foot, medium-quality wood is &&&&&&&&&&&&+800 $2 per foot, and high-quality wood is &&&&&&&&&&&+1600 $4 per foot. The value of the finished item appears to be directly proportional to the cost of the wood, all other things being equal.

Type of wood Quality
alder Low
apple wood Low
ash Low
beech Low
birch Low
blackthorn Low
cedar Low
cherry wood Low
chestnut Low
cypress Low
driftwood Low
ebony Low
elder Low
elm Low
gingko Low
hawthorn Low
hazel Low
holly Low
ironwood Low
katsura Low
larch Low
linden Low
mahogany Low
maple Low
olive wood Low
pearwood Low
pine Low
redwood Low
snowbell Low
sycamore Low
walnut Low
willow Low
konara oak Medium
oak Medium
teak Medium
yew Medium
rosewood High
rowan High
Effing oak Very High

Workpiece types by difficulty

Note that if a pattern book is in a language you can't read, you will still be able to read the actual patterns, and you can still bodge from it. You can also have it translated at a print shop--but if you do this, the patterns in the translated book will not correspond to the page with the description of the pattern, instead being off by one (apparently because of the extra page inserted by the printer).

The initial "bodger's book" provides patterns for five workpiece types to be crafted from wood rivings. Each type has its own specific properties. They also vary in difficulty of producing a truly high quality workpiece.

Workpiece types ranked from easy to most difficult:

Item Minimum required riving length Page in book
Fountain pen 1 foot 4
Wand 2 feet 3
Walking Stick 4 feet 6
Staff 6 feet 2
Flute 2 feet 5

The Tang crafter's book provides patterns for four pieces, and is written in Agatean. It is found for sale in the Tang estate.

Item Minimum required riving length Page in book Difficulty
thimble 1 foot 2 easy
rice bowl 2 feet 5 easy
dancing crane staff 6 feet 3 medium-difficulty
crane-headed walking stick 4 feet 4 difficult

The Uberwaldean woodworking book provides patterns for seven pieces, and is written in Uberwaldean. It is sold in the wood workshop by the Harvest of Thorns inn.

Item Minimum required riving length Page in book Difficulty
bowl 2 feet 4 easy
simple flat bezel ring 1 foot 2 medium-difficulty
plate 2 feet 5 medium-difficulty
stake 2 feet 8 medium-difficulty
ring decorated with a traditional pattern of roses 1 foot 3 difficult
traditional walking stick 4 feet 7 difficult
carved hill-walker's staff 6 feet 6 expert

Workpiece results

Bowl

The quality of the workpiece shows in the item description as:

  • "Describing this piece of rough, splintery <wood> as a bowl is an insult to all right-thinking craftspeople of tableware. There are decaying tree stumps that would perform a more effective and aesthetic service at the table. Also, the grain pattern looks like a set of sheep genitals."
  • "This crudely carved <wood> bowl probably doesn't leak, but there's not much else to say to its credit."
  • "Smooth and elegantly curved to make the most of the wood's natural grain, this <wood> bowl would grace any table."
  • "Smooth and elegantly curved to make the most of the wood's natural grain, this <wood> bowl would grace any table, from farmhouse kitchen to merchant's hall."

Crane-headed walking stick

Weapon information: Crane-headed walking stick (woodworking)

The quality of the workpiece shows in the item description as:

  • "The top of this <wood> stick has been crudely carved to resemble some sort of terribly afflicted seagull."
  • "Slim and strong, the head of this <wood> stick bears a crane's head with a long pointed beak on a gracefully curved neck."
  • "You could almost imagine that this <wood> stick, with its pointy-beaked head on the end of a gracefully curved neck, might start hopping along on its own carved talons."

Dancing crane staff

Weapon information: Dancing crane staff (woodworking)

The quality of the workpiece shows in the item description as:

  • "This splintery <wood> staff has what was clearly intended to be a hexagonal cross-section, but it has ended up almost square at the top and has somehow acquired an extra three sides by the time it reaches the floor."
  • "Six feet long, with a hexagonal cross-section for a secure grip, this <wood> staff seems to dance in the hands of a skilled wielder."
  • "Six feet long, with a hexagonal cross-section for a secure grip, this <wood> staff seems to dance in the hands of a skilled wielder. It is designed for use with the Dancing Crane fighting style invented by famously modest Tang family sensei Nine Dancing Crane, which involves a great deal of hopping and posing and quick darting strikes, but fundamentally it's a long and very well-balanced stick and any skilled wielder is a terror to behold."

Flute

Weapon type: None
Weapon quality: N/A
Finished length: 2 foot
Weight: less than a pound

The quality of the workpiece shows in the item description as:

  • "This is a somewhat misshapen <wood> flute, which doesn't look like it could produce anything more musical than the average house brick."
  • "This is a rather wonky <wood> flute."
  • "This is a slim <wood> flute, smooth and simple."
  • "This is a <wood> flute, which will probably make a fairly musical sound."
  • "This is a slim and elegant <wood> flute, rather well made."
  • "This is an elegant <wood> flute, quite well made."
  • "This is a beautiful <wood> flute, clearly made by a master artisan. The holes are perfectly positioned, and the mouthpiece is adorned with tiny intricate vines and flowers."

Although even a poorly made flute can be tuned and played, only a well made flute will have a chance of producing what might be called music.

Pen

Weapon information: Pen (woodworking)

The quality of the workpiece shows in the description as:

  • "Referring to this length of rough, splintery <wood> as a pen is a courtesy at best. It looks as though the wood-turner chewed it to shape with his teeth, and then smeared it with an uneven coating of grime from the forge."
  • "This is a rough <wood> stick, of uneven width. It would probably function as a pen, but not well."
  • "This is obviously a pen, and it would probably do well for any normal purpose, but it's not exactly comfortable to write with."
  • "This is an ordinary-looking pen."
  • "This is a slim <wood> fountain pen, smooth and unadorned."
  • "This is a sturdy <wood> fountain pen, smooth and unadorned. It sits neatly and comfortably in the hand."
  • "This pretty, slender <wood> pen sits lightly in the hand, the delicate shaft and responsive balance leaving no doubt that it will write beautifully for a skilled writer."
  • "Slender but still authoritative-looking, this beautifully made <wood> pen seems almost as though it could write nothing foolish or untrue."

Before the pen can be used to write, it must be fitted with a pen nib and the pen must be dipped in ink. The quality of the nib will also show in the pen description.

Syntax:

Plate

The quality of the workpiece shows in the item description as:

  • "Describing this piece of rough, splintery <wood> as a plate is an insult to all right-thinking craftspeople of tableware. There are piles of Klatchian camel droppings that would perform a more effective and aesthetic service at the table, and the beaded rim looks like a carefully curated selection of small lumpy snails has been glued onto it."
  • "This crudely carved <wood> plate probably doesn't leak, but there's not much else to say to its credit."
  • "Smooth and elegantly made to make the most of the wood's natural grain, with a neatly beaded rim, this <wood> plate would grace any table."
  • "Smooth and elegantly made to make the most of the wood's natural grain, with a complicated pattern of carved beading around the rim, this <wood> plate would grace any table from farmhouse kitchen to merchant's hall."

Rice bowl

The quality of the workpiece shows in the item description as:

  • "This redwood rice bowl is severely plain rather than simple, and practically conical. Unfortunately, it isn't even symmetrical, and the rim is wonky."
  • "This elegantly simple <wood> bowl fits in the hand very well."
  • "This poetically simple <wood> bowl fits beautifully in the hand, and the outside surface is pleasingly rough. Any monk would acquire merit by possessing this as his begging bowl."

Ring (bezel)

The quality of the workpiece shows in the item description as:

  • "Referring to this loop of rough, splintery <wood> as a ring is a courtesy at best. It looks as though the wood-turner chewed it to shape with his teeth, and then glued a dead beetle to the top."
  • "This crudely carved <wood> ring probably wouldn't fall apart on your finger, but it certainly wouldn't impress a business partner with your prosperity."
  • "Solid and gently rounded, this <wood> bezel ring would sit comfortably on any burgher's or merchant's finger."
  • "Solid and gently rounded, this <wood> ring would sit comfortably on any burgher or merchant's finger. A round bezel rises smoothly out of the band."
  • "Slender and gently rounded, this <wood> ring would sit comfortably on the finger of any prosperous burgher or merchant prince. A ring of delicately carved beading surrounds a flat round bezel."

Ring (rose)

The quality of the workpiece shows in the item description as:

  • "Referring to this loop of rough, splintery <wood> as a ring is a courtesy at best. It looks as though the wood-turner chewed it to shape with his teeth, and then smeared it with an uneven coating of grime from the workshop floor."
  • "This crudely carved <wood> ring probably wouldn't fall apart on your finger, but it certainly wouldn't impress a swain."
  • "Slender and gently rounded, this <wood> ring would sit comfortably on the finger of any fair wench or strapping young forester. Three small rose blossoms nestle together on the band."
  • "Slender and gently rounded, this <wood> ring would sit comfortably on the finger of any fair forest maid or greenwood lord. A single detailed rose serves the place of a gem."
  • "Slender and gently rounded, this <wood> ring would sit comfortably on the finger of any fair forest maid or greenwood lord. A complex intertwining pattern of rose stems, complete with thorns, covers the surface between a number of detailed flowers."

Staff

Weapon information: Staff (woodworking)

The quality of the workpiece shows in the description as:

  • "This crudely carved <wood> stick probably wouldn't break if you hit something with it, but it certainly wouldn't impress a demon."
  • "This is a five-foot length of <wood>, of uneven width. It's apparently a staff."
  • "This is obviously a staff, and it would probably do well for any normal purpose, but it's not entirely straight."
  • "This is a sturdy <wood> walking staff, smooth and unadorned. About two-thirds of the way up, the wood has been subtly shaped for ease of holding."
  • "Slender and wieldy, this staff is six feet of <wood> shaped and balanced to be almost perfect for a long journey complete with bandit encounters."
  • "Slender and wieldy, this staff is six feet of <wood> shaped and balanced to be almost perfect for spellcasting or banishing demons the violent way."

As a standard staff, these can be used to octograve.

Staff (Uberwaldean)

Weapon information: Uberwaldean staff (woodworking)

The quality of the workpiece shows in the item description as:

  • "This crudely carved <wood> staff probably wouldn't break if you leant on it, but there's not much else to say to its credit."
  • "This <wood> staff is strong but not entirely evenly turned. A couple of simple beech leaves have been carved near the head."
  • "Strong and stout, with a subtly curved handgrip to accentuate the wood's natural grain, this <wood> staff has been worked near the top with a pattern of oak leaves."
  • "Strong and stout, with a subtly curved handgrip to accentuate the wood's natural grain, this <wood> staff has been worked all over with intricate carvings of branch and leaf."
  • "Strong and stout, with a subtly curved handgrip to accentuate the wood's natural grain, this <wood> staff has been worked all over with intricate carvings of branch and leaf like a sketch of the deep Uberwaldean forest in early autumn when the leaves begin to turn."

Stake

Weapon information: Stake (woodworking)

The quality of the workpiece shows in the item description as:

  • "Describing this chunk of rough, splintery <wood> as a stake is a tribute to the power of optimism over craftsmanship. Functionally, it's a stick, and not even a particularly interesting one. One end is probably a bit thinner and slightly pointier than the other, at least. It's possible that the scratches near the middle might be an attempt at a ball of fluff, but it's also possible that an enraged chicken set about it in an attempt to destroy this abomination unto the mere concept of a religious symbol."
  • "This <wood> stake is light and responsive in the hand, and the grip has been carved with the sacred flying ducks of Ordpor the Tasteless."
  • "This <wood> stake is light and responsive in the hand, and the grip has been carved with dozens of holy symbols, from turtles and raindrops to the sacred flying ducks of Ordpor the Tasteless."
  • "This <wood> stake seems to soar in the hand, as though the sharp tip yearns to seek the cold dead heart of a snarling undead predator. The grip has been carved with dozens of holy symbols, from flames and raindrops to the sacred flying ducks of Ordpor the Tasteless."

Stick (Uberwaldean)

Weapon information: Stick (woodworking)

The quality of the workpiece shows in the item description as:

  • "This crude <wood> stick probably wouldn't break if you leant on it, but there's not much else to say to its credit. Especially about the odd pointy hook bit."
  • "Slim and elegant, the balance of this <wood> walking stick is wonderfully light. The carved magpie's head that forms the handle looks as though it's peering around quizzically."
  • "Slim and elegant, the balance of this <wood> walking stick is wonderfully light. The carved magpie's head that forms the handle seems to glare with a baleful intelligence."
  • "Slim and elegant, the balance of this <wood> walking stick is wonderfully light. The carved magpie's head that forms the handle seems to glare with a baleful intelligence, every detail of feather and eye perfect."

Thimble

The quality of the workpiece shows in the item description as:

  • "This rather wonky <wood> thimble is still fairly comfortable on the finger, but the dimples on its tip are too few and too shallow to be useful."
  • "This <wood> thimble is solid and comfortable on the finger, with a tip patterned all over with tiny dimples and a broad smooth band showing the natural grain of the wood."
  • "This <wood> thimble is light and comfortable on the finger, with a tip patterned all over with tiny dimples and a broad smooth band showing the natural grain of the wood. Whilst it protects the finger from careless stabbing, it feels so natural and comfortable that it's like wearing nothing at all."

Walking stick

Weapon information: Walking stick (woodworking)

The quality of the workpiece shows in the description as:

  • "Referring to this length of rough, splintery <wood> as a walking stick is a courtesy at best. It looks as though the wood-turner chewed it to shape with his teeth, and then smeared it with an uneven coating of old tea and vinegar. There's a lump on the top that might be a penguin, if the penguin had been rolling around in a tar pit and then waddled through the Green Slab offices on publication day."
  • "This crudely carved <wood> stick probably wouldn't break if you leant on it, but it would quite likely give you splinters. The lump on the top might be a bird, but it's equally likely to be a jellyfish."
  • "This is a three-foot-long length of <wood>, of uneven width and topped with a plump, rounded lump."
  • "This sturdy three-foot length of <wood> would do perfectly well as a support when walking, but the carved owl perched on the top lacks artistry."
  • "This is a sturdy <wood> walking stick, topped with a rounded knob upon which perches a carved owl."
  • "This is a sturdy <wood> walking stick, topped with a smoothly rounded knob upon which perches a cleverly carved owl."
  • "This is a slender but sturdy <wood> walking stick, topped with a smoothly rounded knob upon which perches a beautifully carved owl."
  • "This is a slender but sturdy <wood> walking stick, topped with a smoothly rounded knob upon which perches a beautifully carved owl. Her huge, rounded eyes seem to hold a great deal of wisdom, and her beak is slightly parted as if to let out a soft hoot."

Note that walking sticks can be used to octograve and to knock on the wood workshop's door. Walking sticks are also shorter and lighter than the standard staff. On the other hand, the weapon type is mace, not polearm.

Wand

Weapon information: Wand (woodworking)

The quality of the workpiece shows in the description as:

  • "This crudely carved <wood> stick probably wouldn't break if you prodded something with it, but it certainly wouldn't impress a demon."
  • "This is a foot-long length of <wood>, of uneven width. It's apparently a staff."
  • "This is obviously a wand, and it would probably do well for any normal purpose, but it's not entirely straight."
  • "This is a sturdy <wood> wand, smooth and unadorned.
  • "This is a sturdy <wood> wand, smooth and unadorned. The base has been subtly reshaped for a good, comfortable grip."
  • "Slender and wieldy, this wand is a foot and a half of <wood> which tapers in gentle recurving arcs towards its tip."
  • "Slender and wieldy, this wand is a foot and a half of <wood> which tapers in gentle recurving arcs towards its tip. The tip itself has been cleverly carved to resemble a faceted crystal, and the grip sits firmly and comfortably in a wizard's hand."