Excellent.
About books I would prefer to strip down the number as much as possible, possibly to 2 books (normal stuff, plate steel stuff), if possible (aka the number of items is not too big and it is not too hard to read/use). Reason is when it comes down to make fixes/maintenance in the database I find it easier to perform the task and another reason is I perceived players prefer to change the mind slot (book) as less as possible. Third reason is we need a quest for each book and for me each quest have to be unique and I don't like simple copy & paste quests (so the creative effort and challenge to put in quest writing is a bit more). Aside these consideration is more a matter of "philosophy" than real technical problems.
Okay, that makes good sense. My current plan is five basic spears (1-handed, hunting/simple, boar spear, light combat, heavy combat), 3-4 quarterstaves (regular, shod, spiked, crescent-bladed?), maybe 6-8 polearms, and the 10 race-specific spears. That's... a lot. Hmm. Well, I'm trying to model the construction on the mace making book, so most of the items are made from a pool of... 13 components. Some of those components can be carved/notched/whatevered, but that could even be left out if it's too complex.
this because we hardly have polearms in game. Once they are available this may change, with settings permission, and we can assign some NPC to be a polearm trainer or crafter, etc.
Okay! I've got the skill required/trained set to Blades Making and Blacksmithing for just about everything, which should do for now. I'm not sure how that's handled in a proper crafting book, so I just added a few new columns for each transformation.
actually you can get some inspiration from the Academy already released, and we have already a full set of quest for a second academy (unreleased, yet), written by Zunna. If you are interested I can let you read them.
That would be great!
We also have a couple of inspiration, draft for 2 more academies: archery and axes, but we haven't had anyone starting the quest writing yet. Fun thing is most of special moves (archery, hammer) are ready rules side, bu we won't release them untile the whole package (which includes their own academy quest) are ready to deliver.
We still miss an idea, draft for polearms completely, so, if you have an inspiration, let us know.
Uhhh... I'll think on it. I've got a few ideas.