Re: steel

[Jevan Furmanski <furmansj@expert.cc.purdue.edu>]

On Tue, 16 Jun 1998, Greg Mowczko wrote:

> > Subject: steel
> > Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 15:47:28 -0500 (EST)
> > From: "Kevin Collins" <kcollins@bilbo.bio.purdue.edu>
> >
> > Hey guys,
> >
> [ absolutely no pigs were killed in the forging of this letter ]
> > 	I also disagree that steel or any other material should give a 
> > bonus "to hit" or "to damage".  The edge that can be put on a iron, steel,
> > or adamantite weapon isn't that noticable.  The only differences is the 
> > duration of the edge.  Instead of bonuses, steel and adamantite weapons
> > should require less upkeep and repair than iron weapons.
> >
> > Kevin
> >
> This is one thing that has always confused me.  I can see a need for some
> advantage of using steel for swords and armor. I have never understood why
> you get a +1 to hit though. I might give you a better cut so +1 damage 
> (real damage so pre-multiplyer in crits unlike magick +1 ). The only
> other advantage gamewise is your sword gets a higher resistance check when
> a GM remembers, that and he wants to blow your corpse to smithereens with all
> of your magic items.
> 
> While the upkeep is a fair point it isn't a playable enough concern for the
> difference. As for armor I have to think you get pluses but how small can the
> armor be before there is no viable plus. Does a steel helmet get you a +1 to
> CDV and MDV? I play it as such based on some precedent I believe.
> 
> 							Greg
> 

Just what does "steel" mean in Jearnian terms, because I am getting
confused.  Just because iron has carbon in it doesn't make it steel.  The
term blacksmithing comes from the linseed oil that the blacksmiths but on
the outside of the material, and this carburizes the surface or "hardens".
This is by no means steel as we know it.  And this and the pig fat thing
do have direct effects on the sharpness of a sword.  It is the same
process that is used on gears to make them more machinable and have a
longer life.  I think that this advantage, with the proper check, should
give an extra damage.  Those nasty Mayans had swords made of obsidian, and
they were sharper than scalpels.  I have applied this principle in
adventures before, the only disadvantage is that the swords shattered on
Spanard armor.  I don't like the extra to hit, but only because it doesn't
seem correct with a sharp edge impacting a steel sheet.  

As a parting comment, steel as a material really only revolutionized
weapons in terms of capability.  Foils, katanas, and flexible and fast
weapons were possible from better materials.  I think the impact of steel
is overrated.

Jevan F.