Into ingot casting we go!
JMunsonII
Traveler
...now that we've got molten metal (presumably), it needs to be cast into ingots...
A "dry" version and one with "gold" in it...
Jon
A "dry" version and one with "gold" in it...
Jon
Comments
This is a "fantasy" setting, so, in truth, anything applies (and seems to - "sending stones," flying boats, etc.). However, there is exercised some restraint on going too far. Though that line continues to blur as time goes on - all in the name of extending the fun factor.
Looking at our history, yes, it is possible the casting process was kept very simple (and still is in many respects), and I've tried to echo that with this apparatus. I don't profess to know much about casting, though I do know what a mold is and so on. I imagine the process to similar to baking muffins in a tin though - batter getting poured/dished/spooned into the cups somehow.
Now, with regard to ancient cultures, keep in mind that the ancient Egyptians knew about electroplating, which means they also knew about electricity. And, overall, as Graham Hancock states, "stuff just keeps getting older." Meaning our ancient brothers and sisters knew far more than for which we give them credit.
If we look at the Hobbit movies, the dwarven mines used chains, rails, "huge" smelters, bellows, etc., (all driven by machines and overhead things) and we know the races all understood levers, switches, fulcrums, etc., so a simple two-rail sliding funnel doesn't really seem all that far-fetched to me at all. Just because the movie makers didn't plop one in doesn't mean it couldn't have existed.
In the instant case, this particular cult was a huge operation, nearly on the order of Stygia but far older and far worse, and had some advancements while keeping other things as they were (slaves can't work mines if machines do the digging for them, and something about the delicacy of for what they were mining).
So, no, I don't think this too fancy.
Now, that being said, I have NO problem drawing up a symbol or several that use the pour-and-cast methods if that finds broad appeal.
Personally, I have always opted for a more realistic approach. It is fantasy, true, but I don't like having the fantasy aspect completely overrun the medieval base of it.
Of course, my comments was based on what I would expect to see in a medieval era mining operation, without knowing your specific needs. If this fits the technological needs for your operation, then it is perfect. The important thing is to have a symbol that fits what you are trying to convey with the map. I'm always happy. Not that I wouldn't mind such symbols, I have lots of mines that need mapping, but don't feel you have to make symbols for my needs, there are too many needs in the world for you to fulfill them all
If you want to put out a general use mine set, then I think such a symbol should probably be available, but these are your symbols, so you should make what you want to make.
Regardless... What would you like to see?
In my games, I prefer to focus on the medieval aspects, keeping magic low key. The world is mostly mundane and "ordinary". Magic (and especially higher level magic) is limited to very few individuals, who would never even consider spending their powers working in a mine, they have grander schemes in mind.
But that's just my game, it isn't any more right and wrong than any other. But it does flavor my perception of things obviously.
So, since you ask what I would like to see, that is stuff you could imagine would be in a period-scale medieval mine, perhaps with some low-key non-magical fantasy enhancements. And most of your symbols have fit that bill quite nicely so far. And don't get me wrong, I think this is also a nice symbol, it is just that I couldn't see it fit into any context I am used to working with. But it just goes to prove that you need to know the complete context to properly evaluate a symbol.
As for larger machinery - that's where the specialty part comes in. They sometimes used water wheels to power things, or "Wheels of Pain" (
Is there a particular piece you'd like? Do you want the track sections and car?
Let me know.
When it comes to track sections, I prefer to draw them rather than use symbols, symbols are generally too limited (You can use connecting symbols, but then you need to draw all kinds of turns up front). See the screenshot at the bottom of my post here for example rails.
But you shouldn't be thinking about symbols for me now. For the time being, my life is much simpler as long as I stick to only official ProFantasy symbols, because that gives my maps dual purpose.