There was a write-up someone did on the wiki, probably under the wish list page, as to why a portable smithy was completely unrealistic.
Thanks for the heads up but I read it and have a few arguments of my own.
In the text of the wiki:
http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Science_of_the_SmithIn Conclusion, minor repairs were often done in the field by smiths traveling with the army, but the kind of equipment repair that many are wishing about here simply cannot be done without reforging the weapon, which is a process takes too much time and resources for BattleMaster armies on the move to be able to handle.
However, if you don't mind your army staying in the region for a week or so, then by all means a full portable smithy would be technically if not historically possible, but the repairs that many in BM are wishing for with a portable smithy simply could not be done in the field in the timeframe that they want them to be done, and carrying one with you would slow an army down to the point of being unbearable to the players.
No offense to the wiki writer he has well founded arguments, but arguments while being that of an apprentice blacksmith in the 21 century as he stated making his testimony of a blacksmithing is as viable as a first year medical student of making a testimony on the consequential effects of asbestos in the lungs and it's long term enduring effects into the field of Oncology. And in his conclusion in this quote.
"minor repairs were often done in the field by smiths traveling with the army"
Makes the concept viable.
Further more respectfully I wish to add quote from sites as well.
Military College, Air Force University
Source:
http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/army/medieval_logistics.htmViewing military logistics of the Middle Ages by modern standards provides insight into today's Quartermaster functions. This study will compare some modern classes of supply - Class I (subsistence), Class II (clothing and individual equipment), Class III (petroleum, oils and lubricants), Class IV (construction materiel), Class V (ammunition), Class VI (personal demand items such as sundry packs), Class VII (major end items such as trucks and tanks), Class VIII (medical supplies) and Class IX (repair parts) - to the supply systems that dominated military campaigns in the Middle Ages, 1000 to 1400 AD. The logistical functions of manning, arming, fueling, fixing, sustaining and moving will overlay the comparisons.
Class IX parts were made and repairs performed by blacksmiths, leather workers and wood workers. Blacksmiths made such necessities as swords, arrowheads, lance tips, shield covers, metal armor and daggers. Many blacksmiths were employed in the general area of villages, castles and fortresses to allow the weapon orders to be easily filled. Blacksmiths traveled with the supply trains and were often employed by feudal lords or worked as "contractors" to paying customers.Their main purpose was to shoe horses, fix weapons and armor, and make items during sieges to supplement those lost or damaged.
Source:
http://www.ehow.com/info_8338993_medieval-job-duties-blacksmiths.htmlBlacksmiths were a common part of every military, responsible for outfitting an army as well as for the upkeep and repairs of weapons and armor after each battle. They were required to travel with a military during times of war and would find themselves stationed alongside militaries in castles or forts to service the equipment. Their noncombat value made them too valuable to risk during actual combat. However, they would have to grow accustomed to the harsh life of a soldier.
As you can see from the sources above there were many reason why a blacksmith would travel with an army and why they would travel with an army, sure they could repair "ALL" the damage but minor repairs he could take care of reducing perhaps 1-3% damage every turn as long as he was with and would charge you accordingly leaving you with a 40 gold bill within a week if your unit was large enough and warranted it.
