Reserved for FAQ
Please read an overview of The Order of The Diamond first before asking any questions
So what is this all about?
We are setting up a faction so that crafters can safely share recipes, materials and advice in an in-game collegial environment. A hidden faction will also be setup to discuss other crafting relating matters.
Great! so I join the order and can get access to all the recipes written down in the hidden faction forum?
No. You will need to find a Master crafter in the Order to teach you the recipes
in-game, in-character. The Master crafter may also require you to do tasks before teaching you a specific recipe. To avoid metagaming, it is asked that no crafting recipes are to be published in the hidden faction forum. However IC treatises would be greatly appreciated and would add a lot of RP colour to Das2 crafting.
What!? So I am stuck with the same Master crafter?
Not at all, you will be allowed to move from crafter to crafter as you see fit. However again it must be done
in-game and in-character. We intend to use the faction forum so people can publish what they are capable of crafting as they wish, as well as any hints or tips or treatises. The fun factor is keeping this information IC i.e. just like Will Smith's treatise on Trolls. Lets make crafting an immersive, fun, and collegial experience
What about materials?
Latishe will be recommending to the Steering committee to set up a bank so that players can contribute materials to the Order of the Diamond for use by its members. Latishe will also be recommending the establishment of an incentive scheme so that non-crafters who contribute rare items (such as adamantite, power essences or rare gems) will get a discount off the price of an item created for them by members of the Order.
So any member will be able to access the crafting bank?
No. Latishe will be recommending to the Steering Committee that this bank is treated like a university grants system i.e. a crafter puts up an IC submission on the faction forum, which is then assessed and approved. The crafter then receives the materials, conducts his experiments and then reports back on the results IC. This how the body of crafting knowledge can hopefully be expanded.
I'd like to join, but I'm already part of another guild or faction
Generally it is unacceptable for characters to be part of multiple factions because of the possibility of metagaming. However I think the Order of the Diamond is an exception to this rule because it is solely concerned about crafting. The Order and Brintha cares not for politics, plots or personalities as long as you're not a Heretic or Enemy of the State. As an example, it would be quite acceptable to be part of the Provincial Mage faction, and be a member of the Order of the Diamond.
What about the Provincial Mages Guild?
Personally I think it would be quite acceptable for a character to be part of the Provincial Mages Guild, and and the Order of the Diamond. I'd also suggest there would be a high level of cooperation between both guilds on a number of matters pertaining to crafting, as it is in the interests of both guilds to ensure that crafting knowledge remains in the right hands. There would also be other factions that the Order of the Diamond would be interested in cooperating with for mutual benefit.
I'm a Drow, can I join the Order of the Diamond?
At this stage, yes. However the final decision on accepting Drow members would need to be discussed by the Steering committee. To be up front Latishe would be recommending to the Steering Committee not to accept Drow members.
Hooray at last I won't be ripped off!
Latishe will be recommending to the Steering Committee that a realistic supply and demand model is implemented. The order simply
will not survive if crafters attempt to charge players 100,000 gold for an item which that same player can easily make themselves after levelling a crafting alt for a week. Similarly, crafters who have figured out rare and powerful recipes should be rewarded for their countless hours of experimentation. Also it would be good to set some expectations about pricing so people can plan for the costs and/or materials.
Is the Order of the Diamond going to be run by Latishe Vaine?
No. The Order is to be run by the Master Crafters. Latishe, as a Priestess of Brintha is just assisting with the establishment of the order, and is there to offer the wisdom of the Earthmother as required. Latishe would hope though, if you join the order that you would at least give Brintha her due
What's the point of Latishe being a Priestess of Brintha then?
Two words: For fun
Latishe is also not a crafter, as I felt from an IC point of view, being a Priestess of Brintha would be busy enough as it is. For same reason this is why Latishe cannot be part of the senior hierarchy of the Order of The Diamond, as Latishe must be seen to be the divine representative of all crafters. Does this mean that a Priestess of Brintha is irrelevant? No. Latishe represents an officially sanctioned religion of the Empire of Varana, and those who would seek to threaten the Empire, The Order of the Diamond, or the crafting profession in general would be met with ruthless retribution.