Okay, I've just re-read page 78, so this probably contradicts what I wrote before. The word to use is "refined" rather than "enchanted" for the "hard as bronze" aspect. (This part of HQ was written well after the smithing cults in TR/ST, so "refinement" doesn't appear as a word in the smithing affinities there - You can eiother use "Enchant" to mean "Refine" in the various affinities (Gustbran, Humakt, Babs Gor), or as "imbue with magic" (Which Humakt has as a second feat in Inginew Redson's list, and he has "Enchant Broinze" as well...).
> For some of them, so long as they have this ability at any level,
> they just work like bronze (frex tin, or copper used to make a
> sword). This enchantment level should be tracked, as it may be used
> in odd circumstances (such as to damage something with a "immune to
> weapons" ability, where you might match that against the enchantment
> ability).
"Refinement" doesn't need to be tracked - it's a binary thing: either it's refined or it's not. Refinement turns a soft metal into the equivalent of bronze, so a Refined Gold Spear has the same damage mod (+3) as a normal spear. But refinement also gives a specical effect, depending on the metal.
But note how the text reads - "Refined copper armor gains a bonus equal to 1/10 the armor's magical rating *if it has one*." (Emphasis mine).
So a functional (as opposed to purely ceremonial) Gold Spearhead can be assumed to be refined, as well as any magical ability it has. It is as hard as bronze, so it has no special damage bonus, until you put a magical ability into it - at which point you gain a +1/10 bonus - so that "Bright Shining Spear 17" has a damage bonus of 3 (normal spear) + 2 (1/10 the magical power) for a +5 bonus.
(btw, I'd probably rule that a runemetal weapon with a spell/feat *cast* on it is not "enchanted", just enhanced, and so wouldn't get the "magical ability" bonus).
> A few metals (lead on bludgeoning weapons, copper in armor/shields)
> gets a specific bonus equal to the automatic augment of that "enchant
> to be hard" ability.
Nope - as noted above it I've revised my statement. Under normal circumstances it does not get any bonus simply from refinement, it needs another magical ability as well to get the +1/10 bonus.
> Now, if an enchanted lead mace had the "crushing blow" enchantment in
> it as well, it would get 1/10 of the "enchant lead to be hard"
> ability, plus, as called upon by the wielder, the augment from
> the "crushing blow" ability, right?
If you have a "Smash Hard Lead Mace 17", you'ld get +3 (Mace damage) +2
(1/10 Magcial Ability as the "Lead" bonus) +2 (Smash Hard magic's normal
augment) = +7 augment to your "Mace and Shield Combat".
If it was a "Smash Hard Gold Mace" you wouldn't get the 1/10 magical power
bonus, but it would have 2x the Glow power of light magics on it. Total +5
bonus
If it was a "Smash Hard Aluminum Mace" you wouldn't get the 1/10 power, but
it wouldn't sink in water. Total +5 bonus.
etc.
> I _think_ I get it now, although I need to think through how this
> interacts with 'vague references' in starting write ups a bit more.
I think you can safely assume that any Rune Metal "Magical Weapon" is also "refined".
> Now, one more question: Does using an enchanted rune metal count as
> one of your three magical augments? Or does it come in "for free"?
Nope. No more than a normal piece of equipment does. Remember that the three-enhancement limit is for powering up before a fight. If you need to "call forth" a power from your weapon, like you need to cast a spell, invoke a feat or release a spirit, (ie, the weapon is really the equivalent of a talisman or fetish) then yes, it's one of the three. But normally it's an "always on" power, like Strong, or "Heavy Mace".
RR
It is by my order and for the good of the state that the bearer of this has
done what he has done.
- Richelieu
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