Blacksmiths of Luingern Province

by jmtphotography

The blacksmith is crucial to the functioning of communities. Blacksmiths are skilled artisans who work with metal, primarily iron, to create tools, weapons, and everyday items. They are highly skilled craftsmen and women possessing the knowledge and expertise to forge and shape metal through heating and hammering. They are often apprentices for many years before becoming master blacksmiths themselves.
Only a handful of very talented and Guild-approved blacksmiths are permitted to make “Luingern Blades” - ceremonial daggers made from unique patterned and folded steel and then imbued with magic to render them unbreakable. These blades are highly sought-after! The Blacksmith’s Guild tries to control who the blades are made for, and who may own one. They are not always successful, and Luingern Blades have been known to crop up on the black market from time to time. Purchased properly from a smith registered with the Blacksmith’s Guild, a Luingern Blade can command prices from 50 gold pieces and up, depending on the size of the blade and the smith.
Smiths use a variety of tools and equipment in their work. The forge is a central element, where iron or other metals are heated to a malleable state. The anvil serves as a strong and sturdy surface for shaping metal, and hammers and tongs are used for forging and manipulating the hot metal.
Blacksmithing is a physically demanding profession. The process of heating and shaping metal requires significant strength, endurance, and precision. Not to mention the ability to withstand heat, even in warm seasons. Smiths often work long hours, especially during periods of increased demand. They produce a wide range of items essential for daily life, including agricultural tools (plows, scythes), household items (cooking utensils, hinges, nails), and weapons (swords, knives, arrowheads). Smiths have to be versatile and adapt to the needs of their local community. In addition to creating new items, blacksmiths are often called upon for repair work. This could involve fixing tools, farm equipment, or even household items. The ability to repair metal objects is a valuable skill.
Blacksmiths play a vital role in the Provincial economy, as their products are in constant demand. Their shops are often central to the community, and smiths are respected for their skills. They also play a role in social gatherings, serving as a hub for information, as well as gossip. 
The trade is typically passed down through generations or learned through apprenticeship. Young individuals of either gender work under the guidance of a master blacksmith, gradually acquiring the necessary tools, skills, and knowledge.
Blacksmithing is surrounded by tradition and rituals. The forging process is a skilled art, and certain practices and beliefs are passed down within the community. A formal ceremony marks the transition from apprentice to journeyman or master blacksmith. This could include a symbolic gesture, such as the passing of a particular tool or the crafting of a specific item that represented the apprentice's mastery of the trade, such as a cloak pin.
Registry within the Blacksmith’s Guild does bring specific benefits;

• Only registered smiths are permitted to make Luingern Blades, and this distinction alone is a mark of both skill and the Guild’s confidence in a smith.
• The Guild maintains a Benevolent Fund designed to help smiths, or their families, who are temporarily unable to provide for themselves through extended illness, theft of tools or materials, or other extenuating circumstances.
• The Guild can advocate on a smith’s behalf to find work for the individual if the situation warrants. Such as when a new Guild member is having a hard time breaking in and making a name for themselves.
• The Guild often directs interested individuals into the profession so that there is always a new generation willing to learn from their Elders, as well as grow the profession and the Guild itself.