Leathersmith

A leathersmith typically learns their trade through an apprenticeship. The length of this apprenticeship depends upon the skills and aptitudes of the student as well as the type and quality required for their chosen field. Leathersmiths are typically taught how to skin the creatures, cure and tan the hides, and work with the resultant leathers to manufacture anything from armor to clothing to storage solutions. Most are also skilled at various decorative leather arts from stamping to molding and needlework to dyeing.

Leathersmiths obtain payment through the sale of their wares. The value of each item is directly proportional to the type of the item and the quality of its manufacture.

Leathersmiths provide their society with armor and clothing items as well as other useful items such as saddles, bags, and even waterskins.

A skilled craftsman is well respected for their craft and their important contributions to their town's status or ability to self-equip their defenses. Those less skilled or those tasked with crafting more simple items are still treated with respect due to the importance of even the most humble leather items.   The leathersmiths of Arcturia are held in especially high regard due to the nation's exceptional skills in leathersmithing. Generations of reliance upon leather as their only easily obtained resource has resulted in creative uses for the craft, as well as unique magical enhancements for both function and appearance.

Leathersmiths require a frame for stretching hides for tanning, as well as salt and their chemicals of choice for curing and tanning. They also need sharp knives if they skin their own creatures.   They also require an assortment of tools for working with the resultant leathers. Sharp shears are required for cutting the leather into shapes or strips, while leather punches and stamps are used to add patterns or holes. For fancier pieces leather dyes are also an option to paint images or dye entire leather pieces.   Magic can be utilized by the leathersmith at any stage to enhance the efficiency of the tools used or alter and enhance the results of the process. Leathermancy, Threadmancy, and Chromamancy are all magical fields frequently utilized by skilled leathersmiths.

Leathersmiths require animal hides, which are then cured and tanned to create the required leather. The properties of the leather are dependent upon the type of creature who owned the the skin, the tanning process used, and the skill of the leathersmith.

Leathersmiths typically work on the outskirts of town, at least for curing and tanning the hides, due to the smell. This operation includes racks for stretching the hides and removing any fur if desired.   Once the leather is prepared a leathersmith only requires a sturdy work table and a steady hand.