Doctor Antiquarium

I suggest adding colored glass, as well as glazing and enameling ceramics. To achieve this, the addition of oxide pigments is required, some of which are already implemented, but others are not. The addition of certain pigments also necessitates the inclusion of new minerals that are not currently present in the game. 1. Techniques for Glazing and Enameling In the game, the process of glazing and enameling ceramics can be implemented as an advanced crafting mechanic, allowing players to customize and enhance their ceramic creations using the following methods: a. Brush Application A brush can be used to apply pigments directly onto fired ceramics, allowing for precise detailing and custom patterns. The pigments, obtained from various oxides, must be researched and applied effectively to achieve the desired results. b. Pigment Dipping Another option is to use a barrel to dip the fired ceramics into a solution of water mixed with oxide pigment. After immersion, the piece is fired again to fix the pigment, resulting in a vitreous and durable finish. This method is efficient for treating large quantities of ceramics or achieving a uniform finish on the entire piece. 2. Creating Colored Glass Colored glass can be created using metal oxides during the glazing process. Players will have the opportunity to experiment with different combinations of oxides to achieve a wide range of colors and effects. The main oxide pigments that could be included are: Copper Oxide: Produces green and turquoise colors. Obtained from native copper. Also malachite. Nickel Oxide: Produces green and turquoise colors. Obtained from pentlandite. Iron Oxide: Results in red, orange, yellow, and brown tones. Obtained from iron ores. Lapis Lazuli: Provides a deep blue. Already implemented. Cobalt Oxide: Provides a deep blue. Requires the implementation of cobalt minerals. Manganese Oxide: Produces black and brown colors. Obtained from rhodochrosite. Antimony Oxide: Exclusively used to create yellow hues in glazes. Requires the implementation of antimony minerals. Lead Oxide: Used to produce white tones, providing opaque and glossy finishes. Obtained from galena. Tin Oxide: Also used to create white tones, offering a shiny and opaque finish. Obtained from cassiterite. Copper-Barium Purple (barium cuprosilicate): Used to produce purple hues. Made by mixing and cooking Copper Oxide, Witherite (barium carbonate, needs to be implemented), and ground Quartz. Manganese Violet (ammonium manganese(III) pyrophosphate): Used to produce purple hues. Its acquisition process would be complex, requiring some alchemy. Future updates will explain a possible process, but possibly it needs manganese oxide and bone powder or phosphorite and saltpetter. 3. Production of Oxides a. Copper Oxide from Native Copper Native copper, a pure copper mineral, can be collected and heated in a furnace at high temperatures or exposed in a barrel with vinegar to produce copper oxide. This oxide is then used for pigmenting and glazing. b. Lead Oxide from Galena Lead oxide is obtained through an oxidation process of metallic lead, such as by firing. c. Tin Oxide from Cassiterite Cassiterite, a tin mineral, can be processed to obtain tin oxide. 4. Prerequisites and Additional Resources For a complete glazing and enameling experience, it is recommended to include the following additional elements in the game: Manganese (metallic), Witherite, Cobalt, and Antimony: These minerals are essential for creating a full range of pigments and glazes. They need to be sought and collected to access all the desired colors and effects. Cobalt: Found in minerals such as esmaltite. Used to produce vibrant blue tones. Antimony: Obtained from minerals such as stibnite. Specific for creating yellow hues in glazes. Witherite: Carbonate mineral.

The forging method is the same as real modern damascus: sheets of one or more types of steel are stacked and heated to weld. In real life there may be additional steps such as twisting the steel, etc., resulting in diamond patterns as a result. The pattern reveal is currently done with strong acids (sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric, iron chloride, etc.), but since alchemy is not implemented in the game, I have opted for alternative methods. It is possible to carry out this process with weak acids (water with tannins, juices, vinegar, etc.), but it will be very slow. Another option is to remove this step altogether, since it is not really necessary (in real life it is used only for aesthetic reasons). I considered that Damascus steel must be better than common steel to be worth the effort to make it. Yes, in real life, modern steels are better than the Damascus steel of ancient times, BUT Damascus steel was better than the conventional steels of its time when was invented. ... Temporal steel seems like a good idea, but I think it should have other exotic attributes instead of being just another tier. For example, it could have retrocasual properties, such as dealing damage before you hit the target, or continuous self-repairing (the material slowly travels to a state back in time). That would make it very interesting. Perhaps it can be used in special clockpunk weapons such as polyboles or automatic crossbows.

In Vintage Story, the incorporation of Damascus steel could be added through a detailed process that includes combining specific materials, multi-layer forging, and acid etching. This process not only enriches the game with a fascinating historical technique but also introduces new mechanics and challenges for the players. To begin, players must gather ingots or plates of steel and meteoric iron. These materials are placed in the forge and heated to the appropriate working temperature. The first step in creating Damascus steel is to flatten and combine these materials using a hammer in the forge. This process must be repeated several times: the materials are flattened and stacked, gradually creating a laminated steel with multiple layers. The goal is to reach a factor of 128 layers, which may require several cycles of work in the forge. Once the desired number of layers has been reached, the materials are forged into a Damascus steel ingot. This ingot, after cooling, is ready to be used in the crafting of various tools and weapons. Among the items that can be forged with this steel are the falx, spearheads, knife blades, and swords. Each of these weapons and tools is formed in the forge, where the Damascus steel ingot is heated and hammered into the desired shape. The final step in creating Damascus steel involves etching the blade or head of the weapon. For this, players must submerge the forged item in a barrel of tannin water or juice. This liquid acts as a mild acid that etches the surface of the steel, revealing the characteristic patterns of Damascus steel. The blade should remain in the barrel for a specific period to ensure effective etching. Once the etching is complete, the blade or head must be cleaned and neutralized. This is done by submerging it in water with lime or borax, which neutralizes the tannins and removes any acid residue. After this process, the blade is thoroughly washed to ensure it is free of any corrosive substances. Finally, the tool or weapon is completed by mounting the handle. In the crafting grid, players place the etched blade or head along with a stick. Damascus steel weapons would have greater durability and damage compared to ordinary steel weapons.

Update: - Added Nickel Dispersed in Soil mechanics for do this non-renewable. Now Pycnandra acuminata reduces nickel concentration in soil when grows up. - Added Nickel Dispersed in Soil concentrations for each rock in game (only counts the upper rock layer).

Update: Added a summary, as I think people get scared seeing so much text. xd

Opium?

Summary of all the topic: Pycnandra acuminata, known in French as "sève bleue" or "blue sap," is a remarkable tree endemic to the tropical rainforests of New Caledonia. This tree has the unique ability to absorb nickel from the soil and concentrate it in its turquoise green latex, being the only known plant with this distinctive coloration. Adapted to thrive in ultramafic soils rich in nickel, it is one of the most prolific trace metal hyperaccumulators known. Its latex has a 25% of nickel per weight, and its wood can contain until 8% of nickel per weight (which is not little considering that one tree can weigh several tons). A marvel of nature! in-game Tree Characteristics: Common Name: Blue Sap Tree, or Nickel Tree. Height: Can reach up to 15 blocks tall. Wood: Brown-grayish bark. Interior is rust-colored, reddish-orange. Fruit: Similar to an olive; green when unripe and reddish-brown when ripe. Ecosystem: Exclusive to warm and humid (tropical) climates. Geology: Exclusive to ultramafic provinces. More frequent in sandy and gravelly soils of peridotite. Generation: Unusual and limited to regions that meet the aforementioned characteristics. Farming: Only grow in chunks with a Nickel proportion in soil of at least 30 ppm. See the "Nickel in Soil" paragraph for more info. Harvesting and smelting "Blue Latex": Some specimens will have "bleeding trunk" blocks that, when broken or interacted with using an empty hand, will release units of dried blue latex. If not broken, the bleeding trunk will continue producing blue latex. The blue latex appears as pastel turquoise fragments. Each unit of blue latex can be smelted to obtain a nickel nugget. Wood Uses: The wood of Pycnandra acuminata can be used in construction and decoration. Wood blocks also can be incinerated, producing a "nickel-rich ash" (or nickel enriched bio-ore) that can be melted on a low furnace to produce nickel ingots, producing one nugget of nickel per block of wood (which is not realistic, because in real life it contains much more nickel, but this is for balance reasons). Nickel in Soil: Nickel Dispersed in Soil (ppm): Nickel is not a renewable resource. Each chunk has a specific concentration of nickel dispersed in the soil (measured in ppm), which can be assessed using a prospecting pick. Nickel in soil consumption from Nickel tree: When a Pycnandra acuminata tree is planted, it absorbs between 1 and 3 ppm from the chunk as it grows. This makes it not a renewable source of nickel, but potentially almost limitless depending on the chunk. Amount of Nickel in soil per Chunk (ingots): The amount of nickel in a chunk can be calculated as: 16x16x3xPpm/1000 ingots. For example, a peridotite chunk with 3000 ppm in soil can yield up to 2400 nickel ingots before running out of Nickel in soil. Minimal nickel concentration for farming Nickel tree: Pycnandra cannot grow in a chunk if it doesn't have sufficient nickel concentration (minimum 30 ppm); the sapling will display a message "this tree will not thrive in this location." Nickel concentration in soil (ppm) per upper rock layer, table: Granite 0-50 Diorite 10-100 Gabbro 30-300 Basalt 30-300 Andesite 10-100 Rhyolite 0-30 Peridotite 500-5000 Sandstone 0-70 Limestone 0-50 Conglomerate 0-70 Clay/Shale 10-100 Dolomite 0-50 Shale 20-300 Marble 0-50 Slate 10-120 Serpentine 500-5000 Quartzite 0-30 Impact in the Game: Adds a new tree species that enriches the game's biodiversity. Introduces new wood blocks for construction and decoration purposes. Provides a new way to obtain nickel, encouraging the exploration of specific biomes. The ingenuity of nature never ceases to amaze! Incorporating Pycnandra acuminata would not only enrich the game's biodiversity but also introduce a new nickel obtaining mechanic, making exploration and collection more exciting and strategic.

I like this suggestion, but I agree with this:

I think it should be two composting types: - Thermal composting: in large piles exposed to fresh air, that can include meat, bones, wood, etc; and needs aeration each several days for avoid fires. - Vermicomposting: compact, in open boxes or open barrels, that only accept vegetable rot and vegetable materials (including fruits and vegetables), using earthworms that multiplies in the process.

It would be interesting to have a way to skip the time.

I have a detailed proposal to improve agriculture and redesign the seed production mechanics in Vintage Story, making it more realistic and rewarding. 1. Seed Production The initial idea behind this suggestion is to introduce a farming system that enhances gameplay and realism for crops by adding complexity to the growth cycles of some crops, and allowing for plant propagation. 1.1. Seed-bearing Crops Crops such as cereals (wheat, rye, spelt, rice), legumes (soybeans, peanuts), and industrial crops (flax) will exclusively produce grains upon harvest (excepting flax, which also produces flax fiber). These grains can be either replanted or used to produce food. Players must decide how much grain to use for replanting and how much for consumption or manufacturing. Implementation: Upon harvesting these crops, only grains are obtained. In the crafting grid, grains can be converted into seeds (1 grain = 1 seed bag). This introduces a layer of resource management, as players need to balance between consumption and future production. 1.2. Biennial Crops Biennial crops such as brassicas (cabbages, turnips), root vegetables (carrots, parsnips), and bulbs (onions, garlic) will have two growth phases. Phase 1: Produces roots, bulbs, or vegetables ready for harvest. Phase 2: If not harvested, plants will flower and produce seeds. These plants will not produce vegetables, only seeds. Players must decide how many plants to harvest for immediate consumption and how many to leave for seed production. 1.3. Herbaceous Fruits Herbaceous fruit crops (cucumber, pumpkin, eggplant, etc.) produce fruits that can be consumed or used to obtain seeds. Fruits can be placed in the crafting grid to extract one seed bag per fruit. Players must decide how many fruits to use for seeds and how many for consumption. 1.4. Other Crops For other crops not covered in the above categories, unique growth cycles and specific methods of seed production can be designed. 1.5. Advantages of the Proposed Rework The advantages of the proposed seed production system in Vintage Story are significant, offering both agricultural realism and improvements in resource management: Realistic Life Cycle: The growth and reproduction phases closely mimic the real-life plant cycle of crops. Plants will only produce seeds once they reach full maturity. Real Agronomic Decisions: Players face decisions similar to those of real farmers. They must balance between harvesting for immediate consumption and leaving plants for future seed production. This encourages strategic planning and careful resource management. Renewable Resources: By allowing the extraction of multiple seeds from each plant, crops become renewable and replicable resources. This means players can expand their agricultural production without solely depending on initially collected seeds. It represents a shift towards more sustainable and self-sufficient agriculture in the game. 2. Pests and Diseases Incorporating pests and diseases adds a significant layer of challenge and realism to the agricultural experience in Vintage Story. 2.1. Diseases Diseases, primarily fungi, arise with a low probability but can spread rapidly once present. They have an affinity for plants of the same species or type, favoring propagation in areas with concentrated crops of the same type. Mitigation through Diversification: Creating strips of different crops can effectively reduce the risk of disease spread to a certain extent. For example, strips of up to three columns of the same type have the same propagation rate as a single column, optimizing the use of tools like the scythe. Soil Impact: Once an infected plant is harvested, the fungus persists in the soil. Crop rotation or leaving areas fallow can help eliminate the soil-borne fungus. Cereal Resistance: Cereals exhibit higher natural resistance to diseases, reducing their likelihood of occurrence and spread. 2.2. Pests Pests have a higher probability of appearing than diseases, although their direct impact is less severe. They spread slowly and can affect different types of adjacent crops. Types of Pests: Aphids: Can be effectively controlled by planting wildflowers near crops to attract beneficial insects. Rabbits: Pose a particular threat to root crops and require more active measures such as fences, guard dogs, traps, or hunting for control. 2.3. Countermeasures: Cultural Measures: Crop Rotation: Changing the type of crop planted in a plot after each harvest reduces the likelihood of diseases and pests. Fallowing: Leaving plots unplanted for a season allows diseases present in the soil to naturally die off. Wildflowers: Planting flowers attracts beneficial insects that can control aphid pests. Fences and Guard Wolves: Using physical barriers and guard animals to protect crops from rabbit pests. Hunting: Hunting rabbits to reduce their impact. Chemical Measures: Sulfur Application: Sulfur can be used to treat and prevent fungal diseases in crops. Botanical and Alchemical Pesticides: Developing and applying pesticides derived from other plants, or crafted through alchemy (primitive chemistry), to control pests. 2.4. Conclusions Integrating these mechanics into Vintage Story not only increases the strategic complexity of the game but also educates players about realistic and sustainable agricultural practices. Players must carefully manage their crops and environment to mitigate risks and maximize productivity, providing a rich and challenging gaming experience. However, the implementation of pests and diseases should be handled carefully to avoid negatively impacting gameplay. Measures should be implemented to ensure that players do not have to constantly monitor crops, allowing them to engage in other activities such as mining, hunting, exploration, and crafting. 3. Forage Crops and Nitrogen Fixation (Green Manure) The main suggestion of this section is to add alfalfa and clover as cultivable plants. Adding alfalfa and clover as crops in Vintage Story can provide multiple benefits for soil fertility and animal forage supply. Alfalfa and clover have very low nutrient requirements and grow quickly, making them easy to cultivate even in low-quality soils, and can be harvested multiple times in a season using a scythe or knife. 3.1 Nitrogen Fixation - Green Manure One of the main advantages of alfalfa and clover is their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, improving its fertility. Alfalfa and clover can be grown during fallow periods to restore and enrich the soil without the need for chemical fertilizers. After several cycles of alfalfa and clover cultivation, poor soils can become medium soils, and medium soils can become rich soils. 3.2. Use of Alfalfa and Clover as Forage Alfalfa and clover can be harvested and used as forage for a variety of livestock, including horses (if added), deers, cows, goats, wild boars, and rabbits. Harvesting and Storage: Alfalfa can be harvested at its optimal point, dried, fermented, and stored for later use as forage. 3.3. Composting Alfalfa and clover can be particularly useful in composting due to their high nitrogen content. They can help accelerate the composting process. Special mention I want to thank you for your attention. Any feedback, criticism or countersuggestion is welcome. I also want to give special thanks to Poncho for providing the idea of pests and diseases, and Thorfinn for providing the idea of biennial crops.

Or you can avoid monoculture and apply rotations, or make and apply primitive pesticides, so you don't have to worry about pests

We should make a collaborative suggestion

I suggest the addition of blood and tripe. These items could be obtained from some animals. For example, you can get goat and wild boar tripe, and chicken and wild boar blood. Tripe can be used to make sausages such as meat sausages, blood sausages and salami, but also to make special ropes to build various objects such as musical instruments and bows, among others. The blood, depending on which animal it comes from, can be used in various recipes. For example, chicken blood can be allowed to clot (it will clot in 24 hours or less) and then chopped and cooked with onion, to make "blood and onion", also called "fried chicken blood", typical dish from Spain, France and the United Kingdom, and widely consumed during the Middle Ages. Pig blood can be used, along with tripe and other ingredients, to make blood sausage. There are 4 (7) types of blood sausages: - Meat blood sausages: made with blood, tripe and meat and/or fat. - Onion blood sausages: made with blood, tripe and onion. - Rice blood sausages: made with blood, tripe and rice. - Mixed blood sausages (4 subtypes): they combine meat, onion and rice (at least two of these ingredients), in addition to blood and tripe. To make the blood and onion dish, you need enough clotted chicken blood. However, to make blood sausages, little wild boar blood is used, so many blood sausages can be made from a single wild boar. To extract tripe, simply use a knife. The item will appear in its inventory, like when you extract meat. To draw blood, you must have an empty bucket in your left hand and use the knife. The animal body must be very recent, otherwise it will not produce blood. Additionally, various offal can be added such as aurochs heart, chicken liver; wild boar, goat and aurochs viscera, etc. These items, depending on which organ it is, can be cooked directly, or used in sausages (offal sausages) and meat and vegetable stews, containing a large number of saturation points.

I would like to propose the addition of two new aquatic crops to the game: water chestnut and lotus root. These crops would not only add variety to the game's agriculture but also enrich the gameplay experience with new crop mechanics and dishes. Below, I detail how these crops could be integrated: Water Chestnut: The water chestnut is a tuber that grows in shallow waters. It is known for its crunchy texture and mild flavor. Cultivation: Water chestnuts are planted in swampy areas or shallow bodies of water. This crop has a moderate growth rate and thrives in temperate to warm climates. Once mature, water chestnuts are collected and can be eaten raw or cooked. Culinary Uses: Category: Fruit? Alternatively, vegetable Cookable: Although considered a fruit, water chestnuts are cookable, and may be an ingredient for stews. Lotus Root: The lotus root is an aquatic plant that is not only beautiful but also edible. Cultivation: Lotus root is planted in calm bodies of water. Its flowers emerge above the surface while the roots develop at the bottom. It requires warm climates and a stable aquatic environment. The growth process is longer compared to other aquatic crops. Lotus root is extracted from the water and can be used in various culinary recipes. The lotus flower could have other uses. Culinary Uses: Category: Vegetable. Versatility: Lotus root is considered a vegetable and can be used as a primary ingredient in vegetable stews or as an additional ingredient in meat stews. Arguments against this: Inappropriate historical context / Lore: Vintage Story is set in a post-medieval European post-apocalyptic era, so these crops would not fit the game's historical context. Water chestnut and lotus root are more typical of cultures and biomes of the Far East, and their inclusion could disrupt the historical and thematic coherence of the game. Too Many Crops: There are already many crops implemented in the game. Adding more could overwhelm players and dilute the uniqueness of each existing crop. Arguments in favor this: Exploration and biome diversity: While they may not fit in a post-medieval European context, traveling far to the East could lead to changes in biomes, toward biomes typical of the Far East of Asia (China, Japan, etc.), with animals, plants, and crops typical of those areas. This would allow for geographical and cultural expansion within the game, offering players new areas to explore and discover, and new ma terials and techs from those ancient cultures of Asia. Flexible historical coherence: The game's historical setting is not 100% faithful to medieval Europe, as there are already implemented plants like the sequoia, animals, and crops like rice and soy, which do not belong to medieval Europe. The inclusion of water chestnut and lotus root would follow this trend, adding diversity without compromising the essence of the game. Improved gameplay: Adding these aquatic crops would lead to a greater variety of foods and new farming systems, which can be positive for gameplay. Players would have the opportunity to experiment with new agricultural and culinary mechanics, enriching the overall experience and offering more strategic options.