Greetings!
Anvil Saga takes place during the Hundred Years War, a series of prolonged conflicts between France and England that went on from 1337 to 1453, interspersed with short periods of peace. It was a difficult time for both countries and for the several generations of common people who lived there. But how does smithing come into all this?
Smiths – with the exception of Wat Tyler, who led a massive peasant rebellion – fully dedicated themselves to supporting the armies of their countries. They carried out military orders in their own smitheries and marched together with the troops so they would be able to offer quick fixes on the spot.
A myriad of different tasks fell on their shoulders: from farriery and maintenance to crafting new arms and equipment. An army without an adequate blacksmith to support it was doomed to fatal losses. After a number of encounters, soldiers could become so poorly equipped that their effectiveness would plummet to the level of the peasant militia, and no amount of training could recoup that.
Despite the destructive nature of the conflicts, war was quite a lucrative industry and prosperous time for every master of the craft whose services were required by the state. During these years, blacksmith craftsmanship and finesse grew immensely, which led to the emergence of new types of weapons and armor.
In Anvil Saga, you manage Arthur’s smithy, which is located in a frontier village. The baron in charge of the land that your settlement is located in is a turncoat – as were many other landlords of that time. No one knows how the war will go, and both England and France could claim ownership over your little commune. Your decisions will be crucial in deciding which way the story will go from here.
If you choose to support one of the factions, carry out their orders and supply them with arms, you would help them to occupy the town. Would this affect the outcome of the war? Hardly. But in this town, you could change a lot of lives. Use your power wisely.
Respectfully,
The Anvil Saga Team