Mud 'n' Ore Forge

The Mud 'n' Ore Forge is a small forge that serves Mudvein and the nearby mines. While they focuse on producing tools, they are skilled at manufacturing weapons and armor. Their weapons and armor are known throughout the region for excellent quality. The forge is owned and run by Fredegar Proudfoot.

Staff

Fredegar employs two assistants at the forge. Deagol Lothran (Male Halfling) and Snaseginn Dragonbrand (Female Dwarfling). Both are paid 5gp per day for contract work for the Steelhammer Guild as well as a generous commision on weapons and armor they produce. Neither is as skilled as Fredegar, but their work is still above average in quality and constantly improving.

Sample Descriptions

Outside:

The only stone-clad building in town, the Mud 'n' Ore Forge stands out among the sea of wooden buildings. A decorative sign with a depiction of a muddy hammer hangs above the front door.

Storefront:

Tables are filled with an assortment of weapons and tools. Suits of armor are proudly displayed behind the counter. Racks of equipment line the walls. A Dwarfling walks in from the back room, "Good afternoon friends! How can we equip you today?"

The forge can produce most standard metal weapons, armors, and tools. As Mudvein is a small town, they don't keep much stock on hand other than a sample of weapons and armor. They do keep piles of mining equipment on hand to keep the Steelhammer Mine supplied. They do accept commissioned work and can turn around most projects in reasonable times.
Steelhammer Weapons and Armor: With the quality of steel coming out of the Steelhammer Mines, combined with the expert smiths at the forge, the blacksmiths here can produce some absolutely incredible weapons. They offer a Steelhammer variant of many weapons and armors that perform better than their standard counterparts. Steelhammer weapons typically offer a +1 damage, but not attack. The armor comes in several varieties that can include lighter armor, quieter armor, and more. These are often ornate, but are not magical (they do not gain the benefits of overcoming resistance to non-magical weapons, and can be destroyed by effects that would destroy non-magical weapons). These weapons are always made to order, but typically cost four to five times more than the standard item equivalent.
Indoor Workshop:

This room contains several tables and workbenches. Woodworking tools are scattered about along with partially finished tool handles. Tools for engraving metal are also kept in here. Item blueprints are laid out on a desk.

The woodworking tools include Carpenter's supplies and Woodworker's tools. The forge workers make equipment handles with these tools, such as for axes, pickaxes, and swords. They do not possess the skills or desire to do fine carpentry, or anything larger or more complicated than handles.
Outdoor Forge:

Several dwarflings are busy around the forges. The clinking of hammers on hot metal and the smell of burning coal fill the air. The dwarflings take no notice of you, intently focused on their work. One is hammering out the head of a pickaxe while the other is creating an axe. Racks of tools and partially completed projects lay about to space.

Bedroom:

The door is securely locked. Inside is a modestly funished bedroom, with a small chest in one corner.

The dresser and cabinets contain clothes fit for a dwarfling. The chest contains all of the profits and down-payments of the forge, typically around 2,000gp at any given time.

Purpose / Function

The forge is the primary tool supply for the Steelhammer Mines. This work is contracted to the forge by the Steelhammer Guild. The guild provides the ore and pays the cost of labor. The guild also provides a small portion of extra ore that the forge can work in any way they please and sell to the town or export.

Architecture

The forge is the only stone structure in town. This presented many design challenges. The biggest challenge was dealing with the never ending flow of mud that plagues Mudvein. The design required stone, so as to not burn down again, but a traditional all-stone building would be too difficult to move as needed.
After much deliberation, an idea was eventually proposed to build a modular building of stone. Giant flagstones, two and a half feet square, would make the foundation. On top of that would be placed modular walls in five foot wide segments that could be easily attached and separated. This allows the entire building to be deconstructed about once a year and moved to it's original location. The entire process, from teardown, to reconstruction and the necessary cleaning, takes about a week. Between moves, individual flagstones can be re-positioned and re-leveled as needed to ensure a level floor.

Defenses

Being made of stone, the forge is considered by many to be the most defensible building in town. Fortunately, no attacker has made it far enough to actually reach the forge in the time since it was built. The building is often used as emergency shelter for women and children during attacks from more significant threats, as a just-in-case measure.

History

The Mud 'n' Ore Forge was built after Mudvein's previous forge was destroyed in a fire. That forge was made entirely of wood, in a style like the rest of Mudvein's buildings. An unattended, red-hot sword blank fell off of the coals to the wooden floor. It ignited the floor, flames quickly spread to the whole building. The forge was rebuilt, after months of redesign and preparation, resulting in the current modular design.

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Founding Date

101 AN

Type

Craftsman, Blacksmith / Smithy

Parent Location

Mudvein

Owner

Fredegar Proudfoot