[Sunderfury]

This is a newsgroup post previewing upcoming changes (posted 09/07/00) (seems same time as cultural is introduced... interesting that other basic weapon / shield recipes seem to be added in as well):

Posted by Yakatizma, moderator of "Coalition of Tradesfolk" on EQ
messageboards (09/07/00)
It is known when these changes may be implemented but that smithing changes
(and other trade skill changes) are coming is no longer in doubt.

****
There are a lot of threads being posted on the topic of the cultural forges,
racial armors, and magical armors that are currently on the test server. The
new blacksmithing content is still being added to and altered on a daily
basis, thus certain aspects of it will not be commented on until it goes
live. I will however address some of the concerns that have been posted.
I. General Blacksmithing
Many new tools and materials are being introduced that will be used within
the blacksmithing trade.
Many of the new general blacksmithing products are materials that will be in
demand for other trade skills such as arrowheads for fletching, tools for
tinkers, etc.

II. Chain Classes and Smithing Upgrades
Chainmail wearing classes are receiving upgrades as well as the plate
wearing classes, including cultural chainmails and magical chainmails.
Banded Armor is the standard blacksmithed chain class armor. The materials
for banded are readily available and it has a broad market since it can be
produced cheaply by all races and in sizes for all races.

III. Plate Classes and Smithing Upgrades
Plate wearing classes are finally receiving craftable plate, which can be
produced in a variety of colors. In addition there will be craftable
cultural plate armors. Fine Plate is the standard blacksmithed plate class
armor. The materials are readily available, requiring only a little
traveling and currency, and it has a broad market since any smith can
produce it in a variety of colors and sizes for all races.

IV. Weapons and Smithing Upgrades
A wider variety of weapons will be capable of being smithed and cultural
weapons will be introduced. Forged Weapons are the standard blacksmithed
weapons. The materials are readily available and the weapons have a broad
market since they can be produced cheaply by any smith for any race.

V. Shields and Smithing Upgrades
Forged Shields will be capable of being produced by blacksmiths. Cultural
Shields will also be introduced. Forged Shields are the standard
blacksmithed shields. The materials are readily available and the shields
have a broad market since they can be produced cheaply by any smith in sizes
for any race.

VI. Cultural Armors, Weapons, and Shields!
Rumors of these items have been causing quite a stir here on the Coalition
of Tradesfolk board. The Cultural items are not profit making items for a
smith. The materials are rare and expensive and the chance of failure to
successfully craft a cultural item is high. In addition, the market for
these items is very small being restricted to only a few races per culture.
Obtaining your class specific quest armor is a cakewalk in comparison to
obtaining smithed cultural armor. The primary purpose of the cultural
smithing is to provide more cultural distinction to Everquest and enhance
the role-playing environment.

Q: Are all races capable of wearing at least one of the cultural
blacksmithed armors?
A: Yes

Are all races capable of forging at least one cultural blacksmithed armor?
A: No

Q: Why Not?
A: Several reasons, most of which have been brought up by players on the
Coalition of Tradesfolk board. The main reason is why I call it Cultural
Smithing instead of Racial Smithing. I'll use dwarves as an example. Kaladim
is a mining city and the best dwarven blacksmiths are revered as heroes.
They are heroes because of their "unique" blacksmithing techniques and
secrets that allows them to forge armor that no one else can, like the
Bloodforge Armor that the dwarven npc's produce. Sharing those smithing
secrets and techniques would greatly diminish their importance. Dwarven
players who have a love of blacksmithing are simply now given the means to
reach for and achieve that status "within" their culture, but crafting that
ultimate suit of magical imbued dwarven brellium platemail is harder than
any other quest that dwarven player can attempt.

Q: What races have their own Cultural Forges and who can wear the Armor they
produce?
A: Dwarves can craft Brellium armor that can also be worn by Gnomes and
Halflings.
High Elves can craft Mithril armor that can also be worn by Wood Elves and
Half Elves.
Dark Elves can craft Adamantite armor that can also be worn by Half Elves.
Ogres can craft Adamantite armor that can also be worn by Trolls.
Humans can craft High Quality Ore armors that can also be worn by
Barbarians, Erudites, and Half Elves.
Iksar can craft Skyiron armor that can only be worn by Iksars.
Barbarians culturally do not prefer plate armors but do have a chain class
armor in addition to their line of weapons.
Gnomes have a forge that will be used in conjunction with tinkering to
produce some gnome only cultural suits of armor.

Q: Will other races have cultural products produced by trade skills?
A: Yes. Erudite craftsmen are known for producing some of the finest robes
and silks. Halflings are travelers and collectors; thus have a cultural
demand for comfortable leathers and lightweight bags. Wood elves admire
intricate leatherworking and Kelethin is home to Norraths finest fletchers.
Iksars have an abundance of rich clay at their disposal and have a long
history of crafting fine pottery, plus their claws are great for intricate
etching. Trolls...well, trolls eat a lot.

Q: What about Half Elves?
A: Half Elves are a unique case. They have no culture of their own. The Half
Elf advantage is that they can use more of the cultural items than any other
race. Their disadvantage is that they have no cultural items of their own.