Artificing & Arcanatech
An Artificer is trained in the art of taking raw metals and other materials and crafting them into useful items, such as Weapons, Armor, or other Tinkered creations. Skilled Artificers may learn Arcanatech, which is the art of imbuing an Artificer's creations with Essence.
Please Note
Citadel is currently in playtesting. All rules released are subject to change before our first official event in 2025.
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Trade Skills
General Information
The Trade Skills are skills that allow a character to create tagged items (items that are In-Play and can be used or sold within the game). Each Tier of a Trade Skill provides a character with five (5) Production Points per Production Period.
Additionally, each Trade Skill has a more magically focused skill associated with it. Artificer has Arcanatech, Inscription has Sigilcraft, and Physicker has Alchemy. Characters are not required to purchase the magical skills, but the Tiers of those magical skills require the character to have a specific level of the base skill. For example, to be eligible to purchase Arcanatech 1, the character must have Artificer 3.
Item Costs
Each item eligible to be crafted by a Trade Skill will have a listed Production Point cost and Material Unit cost. A character expends the associated cost to create the item. Production Points (PP) represent the character's ability and the time spent crafting the item. Material Units (MU) represent the basic components used in production. Examples include metal bars for Artificer, ink and parchment for Inscription, and herbs for Physicker Studies. Every item takes a certain number of MU to create the finished product.
The number of units remains constant for each item, but the market cost of Material Units for a given skill may fluctuate from event to event. These fluctuations are common knowledge and will be readily accessible to view. When a character uses their Trade Skill to craft an item, they can either supply their own Material Units or purchase them from the Production Marshal for the current rate. Note that the Production Marshal will only sell a player the Material Units needed to make the items they are crafting. Material Units can also be found In-Play or purchased from merchants or other players.
Production Periods
There are three times a character can use Production Points: at the beginning of an event, anytime during an event, or as an Between Game Action.
Beginning of the Event: At Check-In, you can spend up to your full amount of Production Points for each full day of the event. Any unspent PP will be noted on your character sheet and can be spent during the event. A typical weekend event is considered to be two (2) full days. For example, if you have Physicker 2 and are attending a weekend event, you have twenty (20) total PP to spend, though the items you craft must never require more PP than you have in a single Production Period. The only exception to that rule is for Arcanatech enchantments (see the Arcanatech section for more details).
During an Event: Unspent PP can be used by collaborating with a Production Marshal. During most events, a Production Marshal will be In-Play at various times. The identity of the Production Marshal(s) will be noted during Opening Ceremonies.
Between Game Actions: Each Between Game Action (BGA) used for Production allows a player 150% of their PP for a Production Period. Thus, if you have Artificer 4, you would have 30 PP to spend, though you cannot make a single item requiring more than 20 PP. The character is still required to pay the MU cost of these created items, and must turn in the cost at the next event's Check-In before they receive the item tags from their BGA.
Artificing
An Artificer is trained in the art of taking raw metals and other materials and crafting them into useful items, such as Weapons, Armor, or other Tinkered creations. Skilled Artificers may learn Arcanatech, which is the art of imbuing an Artificer's creations with Essence.
Every Artificer has a Book of Diagrams containing the blueprints of all of the items they know how to craft. This book is an In-Play item and may be lost or stolen. Each Diagram is a text prop, and Scribes may create duplicates of existing Diagrams. A Smith must have access to a physical text prop of the Diagram they are creating at the time of creation.
A character that begins play as an Artificer chooses ten (10) Diagrams they have the capability to craft to have within their Book of Diagrams. See the Artificer Production Table for more information.
Each level of Artificing gives you five (5) Production Points per Production Period.
Artificer Tier Cost
Artificer 1 - 12XP
Prerequisites: none
Five (5) Production Points per Production Period.
Included Skill: Salvage. Broken or excess Artificed items can be salvaged for half their Material Unit cost. Items that have suffered a Shatter effect cannot be salvaged, and some discovered items may be too deteriorated to have any value.
Artificer 2 - 5XP
Prerequisites: Artificer 1
Total of ten (10) Production Points per Production Period.
Artificer 3 - 8XP
Prerequisites: Artificer 2
Total of fifteen (15) Production Points per Production Period.
Included Skill: Patch Job. Artificers spend almost as much time repairing broken items as they do creating new ones.
Three (3) times per Short Rest, you may Mend an item of your choice. This requires one (1) minute of Concentration and roleplay, and you must be within arm's reach of the item you are Mending. If you are Mending a suit of armor, the wearer is not required to remove their armor.
Artificer 4 - 8XP
Prerequisites: Artificer 3
Total of twenty (20) Production Points per Production Period.
Artificer 5 - 8XP
Prerequisites: Artificer 4
Total of twenty-five (25) Production Points per Production Period.
Artificer 6 - 8XP
Prerequisites: Artificer 5
Total of thirty (30) Production Points per Production Period.
Artificer 7 - 10XP
Prerequisites: Artificer 6
Total of thirty-five (35) Production Points per Production Period.
Artificer 8 - 10XP
Prerequisites: Artificer 7
Total of forty (40) Production Points per Production Period.
Artificer 9 - 12XP
Prerequisites: Artificer 8
Total of forty-five (45) Production Points per Production Period.
Artificer 10 - 12XP
Prerequisites: Artificer 9
Total of fifty (50) Production Points per Production Period.
Patch Job 2 - 5XP
Prerequisite: Artificer 3
You have one (1) additional Mend per Short rest, for a total of four (4).
Patch Job 3 - 5XP
Prerequisite: Patch Job 2
You have one (1) additional Mend per Short rest, for a total of five (5).
Jerryrig Contraptions - 5XP
Prerequisite: Artificer 4
An Artificer is adept at assessing a situation and creating an advantage using the parts they have on hand. Once per Short Rest, you may create one of the following contraptions without expending MU or PP to do so: a Glowgem, Clatterbox, or a Stickyfoot Rapid Trap.
Creating a Jerryrig Contraption requires one (1) minute of Concentration and roleplay. Jerryrig Contraptions are destroyed after use and you may only have one Jerryrig Contraption created at a time.
Intermediate Jerryrigger- 5XP
Prerequisite: Jerryrig Contraptions
You gain access to additional Jerryrig Contraptions: Grappling Hook, Flashbang, and Stonegrip Gloves.
You may also now create two (2) Jerryrig Contraptions per Short Rest and may have two (2) Jerryrig Contraptions created at a time.
Master Jerryrigger- 8XP
Prerequisite: Intermediate Jerryrigger
You gain access to additional Jerryrig Contraptions: Rebreather, Sleepytime Rapid Trap, and Boombag.
You may also now create three (3) Jerryrig Contraptions per Short Rest and may have three (3) Jerryrig Contraptions created at a time
Upcycling - 5XP
Prerequisite: Artificer 5
An Artificer is a master at creating the correct tool for the job. Once per Reset, you may spend one (1) minute of Concentration and roleplay to craft one (1) non-magical item. With the permission of a Marshal, you may be able to craft something more specific or unusual for their current situation.
It is assumed that you create the item with scraps you have on hand, and so are not required to expend PP or any MU on the item's creation. However, due to the unusual nature of the creation, it only lasts a short time, and will automatically expire and be unusable at the next Reset.
Mechanical Mind - 5XP
Prerequisite: Artificer 6
An Artificer of this level understands the intricate, internal workings of any Artificed item.
If you spend one (1) minute of Concentration and roleplay investigation before initiating the lockpicking, you may untie one (1) fewer knots while lockpicking.
Additionally, you gain a one (1) use of the Lucky Skill per Reset
Speciality - Armorsmith - 5XP
Prerequisite: Artificer 8
You have focused your training on the Armorsmith side of Artificing.
Once per Reset, with one (1) minute of Concentration and roleplay, you can enhance a suit of armor beyond its normal limits. For the next hour, the armor is Immune to all Break effects (the player wearing the armor would declare "No Effect" to a Break effect against the armor)
Defense Disciple - 8XP
Prerequisite: Speciality - Armorsmith
An Armorsmith of this skill is a master at fitting a suit of armor precisely to the wearer so that it provides even greater protection than normal.
Once per Reset, you may spend one (1) minute of Concentration and roleplay to enhance a suit of armor beyond its normal limits. For the next hour, the armor gains the protection of a heavier set. (For example: Medium Armor acts as Heavy Armor). If this ability is used on Heavy Armor, the wearer may instead declare "Reduce" to all attacks against it that use the "Piercing Strike" tagline.
Speciality - Tinkerer - 5XP
Prerequisite: Artifier 8
You have focused your training on the Tinkering side of Artificing.
Once per Reset, with one (1) minute of Concentration and roleplay, grant an Artificed item with "per Reset" charges, one additional charge.
Expert Experimenter - 8XP
Prerequisite: Specialty - Tinkerer
When you craft an Artificing item using an Experimental Diagram, you may immediately cross off one of the flaws.
Speciality - Weaponsmith - 5XP
Prerequisite: Artificer 8
You have focused your training on the Weaponsmith side of Artificing.
Once per Reset, with one (1) minute of Concentration and roleplay, you can enhance a weapon beyond its normal limits. For the next hour, the weapon is Immune to all Break effects (the player wielding the weapon would declare "No Effect" to a Break effect against that weapon).
Perfectly Balanced - 8XP
Prerequisite: Specialty - Weaponsmith
A Weaponsmith of this level can balance a weapon so well, even someone inexperienced can use it successfully.
Once per Reset, you may spend one (1) minute of Concentration and roleplay to enhance a weapon beyond its normal limits. For the next hour, any character may wield it as if they are Proficient. If they are already Proficient, they gain one (1) additional Basic Maneuver and one (1) additional Advanced Manuever to use. These additional Combat Manuevers do not Refresh as per the normal rules of Combat Manuevers. Once they are expended, they cannot be Refreshed.
Arcanatech
Arcanatech is the art of imbuing an Artificer's creations with magic by incorporating runes and crystals into their work.
Arcanatech 1 - 12XP
Prerequisite: Artificer 3
First Working. Upon purchase of this skill, the Artificer receives two (2) of the following Arcanatech Diagrams of their choice to add to their Diagram book:
The Apprentice Prepares the Anvil (Resist Destruction 1x/Reset)
The Hand Touches the Bellows (Spellstrike Arrow 3x/Reset)
The Touch of Moonlight (Glow)
The Guardian Aspect (Ward against [Aspect] 3x/Reset)
The Warning Look (3x/Reset Sense Traps)
Arcanatech 2 - 15XP
Prerequisite: Arcanatech 1 and Artificer 5
The Arcanatechnician has progressed in their understanding of Essence and is able to create even greater workings. They understand how specific Aspects of Essence found in kalzokash can be used to charge and empower item enchantments.
Essence Overlay. You may expend one (1) basic kalzokash to charge a weapon with its associated Aspect of Essence. This requires one (1) minute of Concentration and roleplay. This ability does not require the presence of a Production Marshal to perform. however, the player should return the phys-rep of the expended kalzokash to Plot or a Production Marshal as soon as possible.
The item remains charged in this way for one (1) hour. During that hour, the weapon has a total of three (3) Spellstrike [X] Dart , where [X] is the Aspect of Essence aligned with the crystal used to empower the weapon. These spellstrikes last until used or until the end of the hour.
Additionally, once per Reset, you may expend two (2) of the same type of basic kalzokash or one (1) greater kalzokash to do one (1) of the following:
Charge a weapon with three (3) Spellstrike [X] Arrows, where [X] is the Aspect of Essence aligned with the crystal used to empower the weapon.
or
Charge a suit of Armor or a Shield with one [X]Ward against Break, where [X] is the Aspect of Essence aligned with the crystal used to empower the weapon.
Arcanatech 3 - 15XP
Prerequisite: Arcanatech 2 and Artificer 7
The Arcanaficer's grasp of shaping and binding Essence to physical objects is so masterful they can use the very Essence of the Soul in crafting.
Soul Forging. The Arcanaficer may use a creature's Soul as a crafting material. This allows them to Bind armor, weapons, or other Artificed items to a Soul, or create Souled items. The Arcanatechnician can only do these astonishing feats if they have the appropriate Diagram.
Arcanatech Enchantments
Enchantments created through Arcanatech are applied to a single finished good, such as a specific sword. When enchanting an item, the Arcanaficer chooses a duration of either three (3) events or six (6) events, with the longer duration carrying higher costs in PP, MU, and other components. The tag for the enchantment will indicate the number of events of the enchantment’s duration. At the start of each event, these enchantments are dormant and ineffective until the item’s wielder activates them. When the wielder activates even one of these enchantments, all enchantments on the item become active, and the wielder must mark off one event from the durations of all enchantments on the weapon.
If an item is eligible for an Arcanatech enchantment, it may have one (1) Lesser enchantment placed upon it.
If it has a Lesser enchantment, then it may also receive one (1) Greater enchantment.
If it has a Lesser and a Greater enchantment, then it may also receive one (1) Master enchantment.
An item’s enchantments may be active or dormant when it receives a new enchantment or has the duration of an existing enchantment renewed. An enchantment may be replaced with another enchantment of the same rank (Lesser, Greater, Master) without changing anything about the enchantments of other ranks. Arcanatech 1 is required to craft a Lesser enchantment, Arcanatech 2 is required to craft a Greater enchantment, and Arcanatech 3 is required to craft a Master enchantment.
An enchanted item that is Broken is still enchanted and functional if it is Mended. An enchanted item that is Shattered, of course, is no longer functional through any means.
Incomplete Enchantments
Arcanatechnicians have the unique ability to “tie off” an incomplete enchantment and come back to it later. Tying off an enchantment costs 1 PP that does not contribute to the enchantment itself. They can also treat multiple production periods within the same event or set of BGAs as a lump sum for purposes of completing enchantments. All MU and rare component costs must be paid at the beginning of the process. The item being enchanted must remain a valid target for the enchantment throughout the process; that is, there must always be a Lesser enchantment present on an item for an Arcanaficer to tie off a Greater enchantment, and both a Lesser and a Greater enchantment for an Arcanaficer to tie off a Master enchantment. Activating dormant enchantments on an item with an incomplete enchantment does not affect the duration of the incomplete enchantment in any way.
For example, Karl has learned Artificer 3 and Arcanatech 1, and wants to enchant a sword with The Hand Touches the Bellows to give it three (3) Spellstrike Arrows per Reset. Karl has fifteen (15) PP per production period. The enchantment he wants to create requires twenty (20) PP for the standard three (3) event duration. Normally, he would not be allowed to create something beyond his maximum PP per production period, but since it is Arcanatech, he is allowed to draw from his PP for the entire event (which includes two (2) production periods) as a lump sum for the purposes of crafting. This means, since he has thirty (30) PP for the event, he may enchant the sword.
Another example, Julia has learned Artificer 5 and Arcanatech 2, and she wants to enchant a suit of armor with The Master Begins the Great Work for a six (6) event duration, which would allow it to Resist Destruction three (3) times per Short Rest. As a Tier 5 Artificer, she has twenty-five (25) PP per production period, so fifty (50) PP for the event. However, The Master Begins the Great Work is a Master enchantment and for a six (6) event duration requires one hundred and twenty-five (125) PP. That event, Julia spends forty (40) PP to begin the enchantment, and then one (1) PP to tie it off, so she can finish it at a later time. Production Marshals will give Julia a tag indicating the progress on the enchantment (such as “Resist Destruction per SR, 6 events, 40/125”). The next event, Julia spends forty (40) more PP on the enchantment, and an additional one (1) PP to tie it off again. She will be able to complete it with forty-five (45) PP the following event.
It is not required that the Arcanatechnician who tied-off the enchantment be the one to finish it. A tied-off enchantment can be completed by anyone with the normal investment of Production Points, so long as the character completing the enchantment has a copy of the Arcanatech Diagram.