Metal corroding - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Metal corroding

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
gerrin
Apr 15, 2007 21:51:51 How long does it take for a metal sword to corrode in Athas.
#2
j0lt
Apr 15, 2007 22:18:46 It depends on how well-taken care of it is.
If left in the sand or not cleaned after use (blood and sweat cause rust and pitting in metal), it'd go pretty quickly.
If the user takes good care of it, cleaning and polishing then there's no reason it shouldn't last a couple of lifetimes.
#3
kael
Apr 16, 2007 15:05:26 In Darksun, as in all campaign settings, metal corrodes at the speed of plot. ;)
#4
j0lt
Apr 16, 2007 21:49:33
In Darksun, as in all campaign settings, metal corrodes at the speed of plot. ;)

Good answer!
Mundane activities and things such as this should never be left up to the player. Most players, unless they're actively helping with story ideas, don't want to think about having to polish their sword after each battle.
#5
Zardnaar
Apr 17, 2007 6:02:04 Are you hinting the adventurers shouldn't be able to find all these ancient swords in 2000+ year old ruins? Hasn't happened so much in real life even in desert areas.
#6
aggilus
Apr 17, 2007 9:53:53
Are you hinting the adventurers shouldn't be able to find all these ancient swords in 2000+ year old ruins? Hasn't happened so much in real life even in desert areas.

Good point. However I would say it would depend on how much of the weapons are for PCs to use. Since humidty levels are not so high in most part of Athas, corrosion wouldn't be an issue. Just clean the blade and your done. That would be my approach.

Cheers

Rolando
#7
kalthandrix
Apr 17, 2007 10:52:21 True - as long as one is in one of the desert-like areas (sandy wastes, salt flats, or stony barrens) - I would thank that areas such as mud lants, scrub lands, and forested areas would affect metal as normal.

But as someone else said - such a detail is a DM plot/story devise and should not figure heavily into game play in many cases.

Personally - I charge my PCs an "upkeep" fee on their gear - so instead of making trying to determine what basic material is ruined in a fireball or through normal wear-and-tear - I just make them pay amounts that is basically used to fix armor, sharpen blades, mend clothing, replace backpacks, ect... The only time this does not come into play is when it is an item that is specifically targeted - like a defiler casting a spell to purposefully destroy someones waterskin or something - that type of thing has to be replaced narmally.

If the character has certian skills - like craft skills, or spells like mending - I lower their upkeep fee, but they have to make the checks for me to see if they are sucessful.

Just my two bits.
#8
Zardnaar
Apr 17, 2007 17:42:39
Good point. However I would say it would depend on how much of the weapons are for PCs to use. Since humidty levels are not so high in most part of Athas, corrosion wouldn't be an issue. Just clean the blade and your done. That would be my approach.

Cheers

Rolando

Not alot of usuable 2000+ year old blades coming out of the middle east nowdays. My point is while weapons that old have been found theres usually exceptional circumstances involved and they're not that usable.
#9
j0lt
Apr 18, 2007 5:24:32 Magical weapons are more resilient, aren't they?
#10
Zardnaar
Apr 18, 2007 5:40:23
Magical weapons are more resilient, aren't they?

I would assume so.
#11
jon_oracle_of_athas
Apr 23, 2007 1:16:26 In a fantasy world, it wouldn´t surprise me if someone came up with a process involving either alchemical or psionic treatment of weapons to make them endure longer.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 gerrin Apr 15, 2007 21:51:51	How long does it take for a metal sword to corrode in Athas.
#2 j0lt Apr 15, 2007 22:18:46	It depends on how well-taken care of it is. If left in the sand or not cleaned after use (blood and sweat cause rust and pitting in metal), it'd go pretty quickly. If the user takes good care of it, cleaning and polishing then there's no reason it shouldn't last a couple of lifetimes.
#3 kael Apr 16, 2007 15:05:26	In Darksun, as in all campaign settings, metal corrodes at the speed of plot. ;)
#4 j0lt Apr 16, 2007 21:49:33	In Darksun, as in all campaign settings, metal corrodes at the speed of plot. ;) Good answer! Mundane activities and things such as this should never be left up to the player. Most players, unless they're actively helping with story ideas, don't want to think about having to polish their sword after each battle.
#5 Zardnaar Apr 17, 2007 6:02:04	Are you hinting the adventurers shouldn't be able to find all these ancient swords in 2000+ year old ruins? Hasn't happened so much in real life even in desert areas.
#6 aggilus Apr 17, 2007 9:53:53	Are you hinting the adventurers shouldn't be able to find all these ancient swords in 2000+ year old ruins? Hasn't happened so much in real life even in desert areas. Good point. However I would say it would depend on how much of the weapons are for PCs to use. Since humidty levels are not so high in most part of Athas, corrosion wouldn't be an issue. Just clean the blade and your done. That would be my approach. Cheers Rolando
#7 kalthandrix Apr 17, 2007 10:52:21	True - as long as one is in one of the desert-like areas (sandy wastes, salt flats, or stony barrens) - I would thank that areas such as mud lants, scrub lands, and forested areas would affect metal as normal. But as someone else said - such a detail is a DM plot/story devise and should not figure heavily into game play in many cases. Personally - I charge my PCs an "upkeep" fee on their gear - so instead of making trying to determine what basic material is ruined in a fireball or through normal wear-and-tear - I just make them pay amounts that is basically used to fix armor, sharpen blades, mend clothing, replace backpacks, ect... The only time this does not come into play is when it is an item that is specifically targeted - like a defiler casting a spell to purposefully destroy someones waterskin or something - that type of thing has to be replaced narmally. If the character has certian skills - like craft skills, or spells like mending - I lower their upkeep fee, but they have to make the checks for me to see if they are sucessful. Just my two bits.
#8 Zardnaar Apr 17, 2007 17:42:39	Good point. However I would say it would depend on how much of the weapons are for PCs to use. Since humidty levels are not so high in most part of Athas, corrosion wouldn't be an issue. Just clean the blade and your done. That would be my approach. Cheers Rolando Not alot of usuable 2000+ year old blades coming out of the middle east nowdays. My point is while weapons that old have been found theres usually exceptional circumstances involved and they're not that usable.
#9 j0lt Apr 18, 2007 5:24:32	Magical weapons are more resilient, aren't they?
#10 Zardnaar Apr 18, 2007 5:40:23	Magical weapons are more resilient, aren't they? I would assume so.
#11 jon_oracle_of_athas Apr 23, 2007 1:16:26	In a fantasy world, it wouldn´t surprise me if someone came up with a process involving either alchemical or psionic treatment of weapons to make them endure longer.