Elven arms - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Elven arms

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
elrodian
May 02, 2008 15:12:52 Would the Elves use metal or the wood like ironwood and would it look like wood or metal or both
#2
rageofthemodrons101
May 02, 2008 15:22:01 Well I think it would be wood.
#3
Edymnion
May 09, 2008 11:04:53 Metal, IMO, because they aren't generic tree hugging environmentalists in Eberron. No big nature ties, so why would they use a lot of wooden gear?
#4
elrodian
May 09, 2008 16:00:14
Metal, IMO, because they aren't generic tree hugging environmentalists in Eberron. No big nature ties, so why would they use a lot of wooden gear?

lol thanks

Edymnion i love that
#5
lord_psynister
May 15, 2008 15:51:42
lol thanks

Edymnion i love that

The man speaks only the truth. *nod*
#6
Edymnion
May 15, 2008 17:25:30 I keep waiting for someone to make either a "they use skin, like everybody else" or a "You can't hug your children with nuclear... er I mean wooden arms!" joke.
#7
Alex_
May 15, 2008 18:01:22
Would the Elves use metal or the wood like ironwood and would it look like wood or metal or both

Aereni Elves make greater use of wood than many other cultures. The island is home to all kinds of magical forests bearing wood with exotic properties, and the Aereni are master woodworkers. They already have Bronzewood, Densewood, and Leavweave which make workable substitutes for metal in armor and weapons, so Ironwood seems like an appropriate addition.

Of course, that wold be in relation to Aerenal. Elves that don't live on or have close ties to the island continent would be more likely to use a metal version than the wooden alternative.

I'd imagine that it looks like what the material's description says.
#8
Edymnion
May 24, 2008 19:28:36 Yeah, the Arenial would likely use more wooden gear, but I would see that as being just a cultural thing. They use treated wood not because its better, but because its an art thing (especially if they carved it themselves). Trying to get in good with the Undying Court so they can later join by showing off with their woodcarving.

Push came to shove, they'd use metal weapons and armor simply because they're faster, easier, and generally more durable, but when they had the luxury of worrying about how they looked, they might use wood.

Sort of like modern day social life. You wear that tux to parties, expensive suits around town, but when it comes time to go build something, you hang up the fancy stuff and pull out the bluejeans. Much more basic, but much sturdier and serviceable.
#9
Alex_
May 26, 2008 15:49:30
Yeah, the Arenial would likely use more wooden gear, but I would see that as being just a cultural thing. They use treated wood not because its better, but because its an art thing (especially if they carved it themselves). Trying to get in good with the Undying Court so they can later join by showing off with their woodcarving.

Push came to shove, they'd use metal weapons and armor simply because they're faster, easier, and generally more durable, but when they had the luxury of worrying about how they looked, they might use wood.

Sort of like modern day social life. You wear that tux to parties, expensive suits around town, but when it comes time to go build something, you hang up the fancy stuff and pull out the bluejeans. Much more basic, but much sturdier and serviceable.

Well there's also the fact that they have a lot of wood, and not just normal wood. They have special, high quality, often times magical wood. Why burn a tree to make a metal shield when there's a tree's whose wood itself would make a shield that's just as good, if not superior?
#10
Edymnion
May 26, 2008 16:42:56
Well there's also the fact that they have a lot of wood, and not just normal wood. They have special, high quality, often times magical wood. Why burn a tree to make a metal shield when there's a tree's whose wood itself would make a shield that's just as good, if not superior?

True, but remember the lifespans we're talking about here, even non-deathless. Would you rather have a shield made of metal that you just have to dab with oil every once in a while and it'll last forever, or from wood that will dry out and splinter with age?
#11
ieattrollsforbreakfast
May 26, 2008 17:03:20 I think the Aereni aren't likely to use wooden weapons for every day use. First because, as Edymnion says, wooden weapons will rot and spliter over time. Second, because the Aereni take great pains to ensure deforestation is sutainable. Having to remake a wooden sword every few decades doesn't seem like something that your typical Aereni would agree with.

That said, I think special occasions would see wooden weapons used as ceremonial gear. For example, a father might craft an exquisite bronzewood scimitar for his son's wedding. It would be a rite of passage for elven fathers, remaking the design that his father made for him when he married. Sort of like the legacy performance that Phiarlans pass down.
#12
Alex_
May 26, 2008 19:00:07
True, but remember the lifespans we're talking about here, even non-deathless. Would you rather have a shield made of metal that you just have to dab with oil every once in a while and it'll last forever, or from wood that will dry out and splinter with age?

Mending is a first level spell and repairs wooden objects. Given that Wizard is the favored class of the Aereni, and they have an above average number of Magewrights (and probably some Adepts) in their society, I don't think it'd be a considerable burden to cast it once every few decades.

So it would really use even fewer resources than would be involved in mining metal items, smelting them, or using oil, which would have to be processed from animals, plants, or other substances (or just use mending on them).

I think the Aereni aren't likely to use wooden weapons for every day use. First because, as Edymnion says, wooden weapons will rot and spliter over time. Second, because the Aereni take great pains to ensure deforestation is sutainable. Having to remake a wooden sword every few decades doesn't seem like something that your typical Aereni would agree with.

That said, I think special occasions would see wooden weapons used as ceremonial gear. For example, a father might craft an exquisite bronzewood scimitar for his son's wedding. It would be a rite of passage for elven fathers, remaking the design that his father made for him when he married. Sort of like the legacy performance that Phiarlans pass down.

I don't think it'd be everyday either.

You'd just be more likely to see special wooden armor and weapons amongst the Aereni than amongst other cultures, and in much greater percentage, since the Aereni have even more of an incentive to use it aside from cost effectiveness, and they're sitting on the world's supply of it. Just like you're going to see more Byshek amongst the Dhkaani, more Flametouched Iron amongst Thranish, and more Crysteel stuff carried by those from Adar.
#13
Edymnion
May 27, 2008 15:45:21 However, as a general rule, you need metal to craft the wood with.
Sure, you could use stone for crude carving, but any kind of fine detail is going to require a metal chisel and blade. So they already have functioning forges, so its not like there would be a lack of infrastructure.

And I don't remember, but is ironwood naturally hard as steel, or does it have to be processed alchemically first? Because if it grows as hard as metal, it would be HELL trying to carve it. If it needs to be treated, then thats an extra step, which would increase the time and expense in making anything from it.

So, I would still say day to day utility gear would be made from metal in Aereneal, simply because it would be easier to make and require less maintanence. MAGIC items might be more likely to be of wood, since its more likely to be someone showing off their skills with one in Areneal.

Also, a lot has to be said for tradition there. They craft things like their ancestors crafted, they tend not to innovate. I would think that much of the crafting skill came about before they arrived in Areneal, meaning they would not have had all the special woods to work with originally. Which would mean someone practicing the old ways to try and get in with the undying would be more likely to work in metal, rather than the "new" wood materials.
#14
ornito
May 27, 2008 18:51:10 The woods seem to be mostly used for making armors. You can use bronzewood to make weapons, though at a much higher cost, from the hundreds into the thousands of gp. Densewood is just a fancier type of wood which can be used for any wooden weapon.

So yes you can create weapons from bronzewood and there's nothing really to stop the Aereni from crafting all of their weapons from bronzewood except for the fact that doing so would be a pretty big financial undertaking. So for magic weapons and armor I'd certainly expect the fancy wood to be used but for anything normal its almost certainly going to be made of metal.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 elrodian May 02, 2008 15:12:52	Would the Elves use metal or the wood like ironwood and would it look like wood or metal or both
#2 rageofthemodrons101 May 02, 2008 15:22:01	Well I think it would be wood.
#3 Edymnion May 09, 2008 11:04:53	Metal, IMO, because they aren't generic tree hugging environmentalists in Eberron. No big nature ties, so why would they use a lot of wooden gear?
#4 elrodian May 09, 2008 16:00:14	Metal, IMO, because they aren't generic tree hugging environmentalists in Eberron. No big nature ties, so why would they use a lot of wooden gear? lol thanks Edymnion i love that
#5 lord_psynister May 15, 2008 15:51:42	lol thanks Edymnion i love that The man speaks only the truth. nod
#6 Edymnion May 15, 2008 17:25:30	I keep waiting for someone to make either a "they use skin, like everybody else" or a "You can't hug your children with nuclear... er I mean wooden arms!" joke.
#7 Alex_ May 15, 2008 18:01:22	Would the Elves use metal or the wood like ironwood and would it look like wood or metal or both Aereni Elves make greater use of wood than many other cultures. The island is home to all kinds of magical forests bearing wood with exotic properties, and the Aereni are master woodworkers. They already have Bronzewood, Densewood, and Leavweave which make workable substitutes for metal in armor and weapons, so Ironwood seems like an appropriate addition. Of course, that wold be in relation to Aerenal. Elves that don't live on or have close ties to the island continent would be more likely to use a metal version than the wooden alternative. I'd imagine that it looks like what the material's description says.
#8 Edymnion May 24, 2008 19:28:36	Yeah, the Arenial would likely use more wooden gear, but I would see that as being just a cultural thing. They use treated wood not because its better, but because its an art thing (especially if they carved it themselves). Trying to get in good with the Undying Court so they can later join by showing off with their woodcarving. Push came to shove, they'd use metal weapons and armor simply because they're faster, easier, and generally more durable, but when they had the luxury of worrying about how they looked, they might use wood. Sort of like modern day social life. You wear that tux to parties, expensive suits around town, but when it comes time to go build something, you hang up the fancy stuff and pull out the bluejeans. Much more basic, but much sturdier and serviceable.
#9 Alex_ May 26, 2008 15:49:30	Yeah, the Arenial would likely use more wooden gear, but I would see that as being just a cultural thing. They use treated wood not because its better, but because its an art thing (especially if they carved it themselves). Trying to get in good with the Undying Court so they can later join by showing off with their woodcarving. Push came to shove, they'd use metal weapons and armor simply because they're faster, easier, and generally more durable, but when they had the luxury of worrying about how they looked, they might use wood. Sort of like modern day social life. You wear that tux to parties, expensive suits around town, but when it comes time to go build something, you hang up the fancy stuff and pull out the bluejeans. Much more basic, but much sturdier and serviceable. Well there's also the fact that they have a lot of wood, and not just normal wood. They have special, high quality, often times magical wood. Why burn a tree to make a metal shield when there's a tree's whose wood itself would make a shield that's just as good, if not superior?
#10 Edymnion May 26, 2008 16:42:56	Well there's also the fact that they have a lot of wood, and not just normal wood. They have special, high quality, often times magical wood. Why burn a tree to make a metal shield when there's a tree's whose wood itself would make a shield that's just as good, if not superior? True, but remember the lifespans we're talking about here, even non-deathless. Would you rather have a shield made of metal that you just have to dab with oil every once in a while and it'll last forever, or from wood that will dry out and splinter with age?
#11 ieattrollsforbreakfast May 26, 2008 17:03:20	I think the Aereni aren't likely to use wooden weapons for every day use. First because, as Edymnion says, wooden weapons will rot and spliter over time. Second, because the Aereni take great pains to ensure deforestation is sutainable. Having to remake a wooden sword every few decades doesn't seem like something that your typical Aereni would agree with. That said, I think special occasions would see wooden weapons used as ceremonial gear. For example, a father might craft an exquisite bronzewood scimitar for his son's wedding. It would be a rite of passage for elven fathers, remaking the design that his father made for him when he married. Sort of like the legacy performance that Phiarlans pass down.
#12 Alex_ May 26, 2008 19:00:07	True, but remember the lifespans we're talking about here, even non-deathless. Would you rather have a shield made of metal that you just have to dab with oil every once in a while and it'll last forever, or from wood that will dry out and splinter with age? Mending is a first level spell and repairs wooden objects. Given that Wizard is the favored class of the Aereni, and they have an above average number of Magewrights (and probably some Adepts) in their society, I don't think it'd be a considerable burden to cast it once every few decades. So it would really use even fewer resources than would be involved in mining metal items, smelting them, or using oil, which would have to be processed from animals, plants, or other substances (or just use mending on them). I think the Aereni aren't likely to use wooden weapons for every day use. First because, as Edymnion says, wooden weapons will rot and spliter over time. Second, because the Aereni take great pains to ensure deforestation is sutainable. Having to remake a wooden sword every few decades doesn't seem like something that your typical Aereni would agree with. That said, I think special occasions would see wooden weapons used as ceremonial gear. For example, a father might craft an exquisite bronzewood scimitar for his son's wedding. It would be a rite of passage for elven fathers, remaking the design that his father made for him when he married. Sort of like the legacy performance that Phiarlans pass down. I don't think it'd be everyday either. You'd just be more likely to see special wooden armor and weapons amongst the Aereni than amongst other cultures, and in much greater percentage, since the Aereni have even more of an incentive to use it aside from cost effectiveness, and they're sitting on the world's supply of it. Just like you're going to see more Byshek amongst the Dhkaani, more Flametouched Iron amongst Thranish, and more Crysteel stuff carried by those from Adar.
#13 Edymnion May 27, 2008 15:45:21	However, as a general rule, you need metal to craft the wood with. Sure, you could use stone for crude carving, but any kind of fine detail is going to require a metal chisel and blade. So they already have functioning forges, so its not like there would be a lack of infrastructure. And I don't remember, but is ironwood naturally hard as steel, or does it have to be processed alchemically first? Because if it grows as hard as metal, it would be HELL trying to carve it. If it needs to be treated, then thats an extra step, which would increase the time and expense in making anything from it. So, I would still say day to day utility gear would be made from metal in Aereneal, simply because it would be easier to make and require less maintanence. MAGIC items might be more likely to be of wood, since its more likely to be someone showing off their skills with one in Areneal. Also, a lot has to be said for tradition there. They craft things like their ancestors crafted, they tend not to innovate. I would think that much of the crafting skill came about before they arrived in Areneal, meaning they would not have had all the special woods to work with originally. Which would mean someone practicing the old ways to try and get in with the undying would be more likely to work in metal, rather than the "new" wood materials.
#14 ornito May 27, 2008 18:51:10	The woods seem to be mostly used for making armors. You can use bronzewood to make weapons, though at a much higher cost, from the hundreds into the thousands of gp. Densewood is just a fancier type of wood which can be used for any wooden weapon. So yes you can create weapons from bronzewood and there's nothing really to stop the Aereni from crafting all of their weapons from bronzewood except for the fact that doing so would be a pretty big financial undertaking. So for magic weapons and armor I'd certainly expect the fancy wood to be used but for anything normal its almost certainly going to be made of metal.