Smith's Guilds

Summary

Local collectives of blacksmiths and their apprentices are ubiquitous in Vrashyn. Though the Dwarves and Gnomes are known for their skill in metalworking, most races and cultures manufacture metal weapons, armor, farming implements, and other tools. The only major exceptions are the Wood Elves of Nurtawar and the various races that like in Erek who either shun or trade for their metal implements. Unlike in some other trades, there are no regional or national guilds dedicated to this craft, though smiths usually know and communicate with members of nearby guilds. Due to the humble nature of this craft and their small size, most smiths' guilds have little political influence. Some notable exceptions are listed below:

Shatterfyne

The artificer-smiths in the Half-Elf Duchy of Shatterfyne possess the unique capability to forge Hexblades. The Guild arose to protect and pass down this secret technology, and its members claim to belong to an unbroken line of Half-Elf smiths who began their craft long before the Cataclysm. Though few people outside of their native land believe in this story, none doubt their power and influence. The Guildmaster generally counts themself among the Duke's chief advisors, usually filling the role of diplomat when wars arise.

The Smith's Union of Vounas

In an upending of the usual social order, the Dwarves of Vounas consider smithing to be the profession of the highest prestige. Most commissars elected to represent their commune in the Communal Council are smiths who win their comrades' respect through their skill with an anvil as much as their rhetoric. Though not nearly as flashy as hexblades, the Dwarves of Vounas produce the sharpest and most durable steel in Vrashyn, and the union's role in sharing information between smiths can be thanked for their advanced capabilities.

Related Ethnicities

• Dwarf
• Half-Elf