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Message: <blockquote data-quote="mythusmage" data-source="post: 1689729" data-attributes="member: 571">On ResourcesWhen considering the arms and armor of a people it's a good idea to consider the available resources. Not what's there, what the locals can make use of.The state of Michigan in the United States is especially rich in iron ore. Trouble is, even the purest form of iron ore is a pain to smelt. About the time Columbus made his trip to the Caribbean the local indians were starting to produce small amounts of low grade iron, and using it in jewelry plus some tools and weaponry. Given time they could've progressed to better quality items, and eventually mild steel. But, for most of their needs iron was simply not available thanks to the lack of the appropriate technology (real hot fires) needed to obtain it.At other times the resource might be 'available', but the potential users have not developed the technicques necessary to use it. Applewood is a good example. Apple is a hard wood. It is also a dense wood, very hard to work, and needs special treatment if you're not to lose it to rot. So it has to be cleaned of bark and any pre-existing rot and damage, then cured. That is, dried thoroughly. But not to the point dry rot sets in. Then you get to work with it. And while you're working with it you need to keep it in a cool, dry place and—exceedingly important—you must keep conditions constant. No extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity that is.So there you have the first two considerations when dealing with a culture's armor and weapons. Do they have access to the resource in question? Can they shape the resources as they wish for the result desired?Next posting, Maintenance</blockquote>

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