Gary wrote:
>>Great data, CT. What are your references?<<
I did a paper about mining operations and forest destruction in Siberia during the eighteenth Century nearly two years ago. The numbers I came up with are based on the account of the German explorer Johann Georgi who traveled Russia on the orders of the Czaress Catherine the Great. Georgi gave detailed descriptions of every mine and production facility he visited, including output, production processes and resources used. I extrapolated from this data, using other material for help.
Unfortunately, nearly all of the references I used are in German, with a smattering of French and English. I would be willing to mail my references to anyone still interested. For starters, Id recommend the Cambridge economic history of Europe`, volume 1 (middle ages) to 5 (early modern Europe) for English or American readers. I guess that this work will be available at most public libraries.
BTW, even though my references are not medieval, the production processes in Russia remained largely the same for centuries, so I believe that my data would be valid for Cerilia.
Lee Hanna wrote:
<< BTW, the glass industry in England was required by law to use coal instead
of wood since 1635, as wood was apparently to valuable and becoming to
scarce. >>
Probably to preserve forests for shipbuilding <<<
Yes, this was certainly one reason. In addition, large quantities of wood would be required to support the growing production of iron as it was not possibly to produce iron using coal until 1709 (the sulphurous fumes coal produces ruin the iron and other metals like copper as well) and it took nearly a century more until this technology was widespread.
In my campaign, the dwarves are the only race who have overcome these technological difficulties and who can use coal to produce high quality iron and other metals. It`s a closely guarded secret of their race. All other races have to use charcoal, i.e. wood.
With regard to shipbuilding, another historical example (Sorry, I`m a history buff ;-). In 1709, Czar Peter I forbid the felling of high quality trees like oaks in an area twenty miles wide on both sides of all rivers leading to Moscow upon pain of death to preserve the wood for his navy. Later, the sentence was lowered to cutting off the nose of the offender. Environmental decree, anyone?
Back to mirror making. I re-read the section about mirrors in the Spells&Magic supplement I mentioned. In addition to the two craft checks I mentioned, this book requires another two craft checks for creating the frame (DC between 6 and 30 depending on the size of the mirror) and the backing (depending on which material is used: no check for quicksilver; DC between 10 and 18 for copper, silver or gold; DC between 15 and 26 for Mithral or Adamantine once again influenced by size), an Alchemy (DC 15) and a craft check (DC 20) to seal the mirror. In addition, mirror mages can include magical fluids between glass and backing that shall increase the mirror`s magic potential. Doing so requires an Alchemy check (DC 5+10 per magical essence after the first) and an additional craft check (DC 20) to seal the fluid inside the mirror. The book lists 17 possible essences (for example Rose essence influences Force effects) that can be combined. Mirror mages can use their mirrors to store, reflect or absorb spells.
Well, sounds like an awful lot of skill checks to me, but since were speaking of magic items maybe thats not too tough.
Christoph Tiemann
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