The Blacksmith's Path
Ash & Blood · A Tale of the Exiled
The Blacksmith's Path
A player guide to ranks, crafting experience, and the eleven amulets
Blacksmiths turn raw materials into useful tools, refined fittings, repairs, and exceptional relics. Your profession grows through successful crafting and meaningful roleplay. As you gain Blacksmith Experience (XP), you become eligible for higher ranks and more demanding recipes.
The rules at a glance
- Easy successful craft: +1 XP
- Medium successful craft: +2 XP
- Hard successful craft: +3 XP
- Failed craft: 0 XP
- A critical roll or extra items do not multiply the XP reward.
- XP alone does not grant a promotion; rank requirements and roleplay still matter.
Your three Blacksmith ranks
Rank I · Starting rank
Apprentice Blacksmith
XP: 0–99
You have learned the fundamentals of metalworking. You can make basic components, practise simple repairs, and forge the Blacksmith's Hammer needed for more advanced work.
What you work toward: reliable basic crafting and the materials, tools, and experience needed to advance. Apprentice recipes are generally Easy and award +1 XP when successful.
Rank II · Refined work
Journeyman Blacksmith
XP: 100–299
You can produce refined work and craft your first enchanted or specially prepared amulets. You are expected to understand your materials, maintain your tools, and demonstrate your craft during meaningful roleplay.
Promotion requirements: at least 100 Blacksmith XP, Forging Metal skill 5, and five meaningful profession scenes. Medium recipes award +2 XP when successful.
Rank III · Master craft
Master Blacksmith
XP: 300+
You have earned the opportunity to work with rare materials, powerful fittings, balancing kits, and the most exceptional amulets. Mastery is demonstrated through consistent work and contribution to the living world—not by XP alone.
Promotion requirements: at least 300 Blacksmith XP, Forging Metal skill 9, twenty meaningful profession scenes, and staff confirmation. Hard recipes award +3 XP when successful.
Your rank determines which recipes you can access. Higher ranks keep access to recipes from earlier ranks. Staff may ask for proof of your profession scenes before approving advancement.
What can a Blacksmith craft?
- Apprentice: basic metal components, simple repair supplies, and the reusable Blacksmith's Hammer.
- Journeyman: refined fittings and the first three amulets listed below.
- Master: Agony and Penetration Gem Fittings, the four Balancing Kits, master-smith weapons, legendary fittings and plating, legendary repair kits, and the remaining amulets.
Some recipes require a Blacksmith's Hammer, rare metals, or specialist preparations from other professions. Check the recipe's listed requirements before starting. The Hammer is a reusable tool and should not be consumed by recipes that require it.
The Eleven Amulets
These amulets are prized pieces of craft. Each has its own purpose and stat bonus. Their recipes are restricted by Blacksmith rank and may require rare materials or help from other professions.
| Amulet | Benefit | Description | Craft XP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart of the Last Dawn Formerly: Amulet of Life Journeyman | Health +80 | A blood-red crystal heart bound in scarred bronze, symbolising the will to endure when others would fall. | Medium · +2 |
| Verdant Oath Formerly: Amulet of Endurance Journeyman | Stamina +20 | An emerald relic wrapped in aged leafwork, favoured by those who must keep moving through long journeys and hard labour. | Medium · +2 |
| Bearer's Burden Formerly: Amulet of Carrying Journeyman | Carrying Capacity +40 | A heavy bronze medallion honouring merchants, soldiers, and travellers who shoulder the burdens others cannot. | Medium · +2 |
| Lion's Wrath Formerly: Amulet of Might Master | Strength Weapon Damage +10 | A roaring lion crowned with crimson stone, representing raw force, dominance, and the courage to strike decisively. | Hard · +3 |
| Falcon's Measure Formerly: Amulet of Precision Master | Agility Weapon Damage +10 | A sapphire compass emblem for quick hands, measured movement, and turning a brief opening into victory. | Hard · +3 |
| Heart of the Ever-Vigorous Formerly: Amulet of Vigor Master | Health +60 Stamina +16 | A swirling teal-and-violet crystal symbolising vitality, endurance, and the strength to continue after hardship. | Hard · +3 |
| Mountainbearer's Seal Formerly: Amulet of Bulk Master | Carrying Capacity +35 Health +60 | A rugged stone-and-bronze seal for those who bear heavy loads through unforgiving lands. | Hard · +3 |
| Crown of the Twin Blades Formerly: Amulet of Champions Master | Strength Weapon Damage +9 Agility Weapon Damage +9 | A crowned pair of ruby and sapphire stones representing a warrior's balance of force and finesse. | Hard · +3 |
| Dragonheart Chain Formerly: Amulet of Dragons Master | Agility Weapon Damage +8 Strength Weapon Damage +8 Health +40 Stamina +12 | A coiled dragon guards a burning amber heart, uniting martial ferocity, agility, and endurance. | Hard · +3 |
| Fortune's Favor Formerly: Amulet of Favor Master | Agility Weapon Damage +8 Strength Weapon Damage +8 Health +40 Carrying Capacity +28 | A sun-and-moon medallion said to favour those prepared to fight, endure, and carry their fortune into the unknown. | Hard · +3 |
| Aegis of the Long Road Formerly: Amulet of Protection Master | Stamina +12 Health +40 Carrying Capacity +30 | A sapphire shield set in battle-worn metal, symbolising resilience and preparation for dangerous journeys. | Hard · +3 |
Amulet rank placement and recipe difficulty are part of the Blacksmith progression plan. Recipe access depends on the final in-game configuration. Each amulet is intended to have its own item and icon.
The four Balancing Kits
Master Blacksmiths can also craft specialised Balancing Kits. Each kit grants one permanent upgrade, and a character may have only one of these four upgrades active at a time.
- Power (crimson): Strength-based weapon damage +15%.
- Precision (sapphire): Agility-based weapon damage +15%.
- Endurance (emerald): Stamina +21.
- Survival (amethyst): Health +60.
These upgrades are separate from the amulets. Follow the in-game item's application instructions and do not attempt to stack multiple Balancing Kit upgrades.
How to earn XP fairly
- Choose a recipe you currently have access to and check its ingredients and difficulty.
- Complete the craft through the recipe's normal RPR process.
- If the craft succeeds, receive its listed XP: Easy +1, Medium +2, or Hard +3.
- If it fails, you receive no XP. Critical success does not increase the XP award.
- Keep roleplaying your trade. Rank advancement requires both XP and the profession's skill/scene requirements.
Final words;
A great Blacksmith is known not only for the items they make, but for the work, trade, commissions, and stories they bring into the world. Learn your craft, treat your customers fairly, and let your reputation grow alongside your experience.