Hunting For Profit:
The Ramladu Project
Skinning Research
Data Entry Form

The Ramladu Project Research Group -- Artwork from Dungeons and Dragons. Wizards of the Coast. (http://wizards.com)
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( Updated: March 4, 2005)

(11-15-2005)
Greetings to all!

Five years ago Ramladu came up with the idea to have a pricing guide for the new skinning changes that had taken place. I, too, had always been interested in skinning, foraging, exploring, role-playing, and pretty much anything that wasn't just the typical hack and slash game environment. The data that we collected back then used to live on Ramladu's website and the link to view it lived here.

However, over the years things inevitably change. I play GS very randomly compared to the 4-6 hours a night with a 18-20 hour weekend span that I used to do on a regular basis. Ramladu, too, has moved on -- came back -- moved on, etc. Not long ago, I found that his website has also moved on and the data that used to live there for the project is now lost to us.

This is what prompted the renewal of the old project and to tweak it into something more usable and hopefully something that is fun to do for everyone. I'm still referring to it as ''The Ramladu Project'' to honor my old friend, Willow Hall's old friend ... Willow Hall's first non-ranger honorary member. The main intension of the project from my own point of view is to create a data base of creatures we can hunt for profit, and to help us decide what to go hunt before heading out to farm for silvers.

With that idea, the data to collect will go beyond the specifics that are asked for and many items will be found in the note section. Sure, the average skin price for an average skinner might be 34 silvers each and able to bundle to 15 (just for example) ... but what about the type of loot they drop upon death?

A couple weeks ago I received some data for the project, which opened my mind to a larger picture. And that triggered the whole farming for silvers thought process. So basically, if you would be so kind as to help collect data for this project, Willow Hall and others in Elanthia will much appreciate it!

Here are a couple examples of some of the data we've been collecting:

Creature type: Kobold
Skin type: kobold skin
Low price: 9
High price: 40
Total skins: 31
Skinning tool: longsword, skinning knife, imflass dagger, curved mithril dagger
Creature weapon: short sword or javelin
Additional information:
The kobolds near Landing carry the swords and light leather both of which can be sold(sword for 22, leather for 60), the ones in Kobold Village carry the javelins and they can be sold for 18.

Creature type: Darkwoode
Skin type: Not skinable
Low price: 0
High price: 0
Total skins: 0
Skinning tool: N/A
Creature weapon: None
Additional information:
While this creature may not use a weapon it does use magic. At sort of Gale Wind Spell that will knock everyone(other creatures and people) in the room off their feet. Also, this creature *must* be searched quickly (like within 5 secs or less of killing it) or it will dissipate on it's own.

I hope these examples assist you in what we're looking to accomplish here at Willow Hall.
Above all, have fun and happy hunting. ~~ Zanteal

*** (The following is the original text as it was written five years ago) ***

Greetings,

Ramladu, our warrior specialist, is in the process of putting together a fur trading Price Guide for Skins for the library collection. He has asked Alexys for the House's help in this research.

The data that you and your friends will be collecting will be on the range of prices that the fur traders will give us for each skin of every creature that lives in the world of Elanthia. Obviously some creatures have no value and can't be skinned. The names of those creatures that can't be skinned need to be documented too.

For each creature that you skin, you will be asked to take detailed notes regarding this information. Once you feel you've covered a particular creature good enough, move onto the next creature that you want to hunt and do a report on it. You are asked to prepare weekly reports and send them in.

This collected data will be processed for the Ramladu Project. We obviously need your help collecting the data on the creatures that you hunt in order to eventually cover every living and undead creature in Elanthia.

There were many questions that came up during Monday nights class, 05-15-2000, concerning questions of other skinning topics. I will insert a document here that will answer almost all of those questions.

***

Category Discussions with Simutronics (54)
Topic Suggestions, Comments and Concerns (2)
Message Announcement: Skinning Changes (5946)
By GS3-WARDEN@PLAY.NET
On Feb 29, 2000 at 16:08

A revision of the Skinning mechanics will be rolled in on 3/13/00. The primary modifications are as follows:

1. Player skill will be primarily based on ranks of First Aid known and stat bonus.
2. The Skinning spell will provide a significant bonus, and the benefits of the spell will increase as spells known in the Ranger circle increase.
3. The forthcoming Empath spell, Tend Lore, will also provide a bonus based on spells known in the Empath circle. This bonus will not be as great as the Skinning spell bonus, but it will be a noticeable benefit.
4. Player injuries will be considered when determining Skinning success.
5. Objects held in hand will be considered when determining Skinning success. Players can "SKIN KOBOLD WITH <WEAPON>" to specify a tool used for skinning. If no item is specified, whatever is held in the player's right hand is used for the default tool. Sharp objects are preferable to blunt objects or bare hands.
6. Pelts will have varying degrees of quality based on the success margin of the Skinning attempt. Higher quality pelts will obtain higher prices when sold to the furriers. Additionally, higher quality pelts will be desirable for upcoming Artisan crafts.
7. Creature injuries will be considered when determining pelt quality. If you split a hobgoblin's skull, don't expect to get a high quality scalp.
8. Pelts will have varying values, similar to the varying values of gems. This is a separate determination from the pelt quality, though both are applied to determine the final pelt value.
9. Bundles of pelts will have appropriate encumbrance values, including weight and size.
10. Appraising a pelt may allow a character to determine the pelt's quality and approximate value. Success of appraisal will be tied to Trading and First Aid skills with a bonus applied for Ranger characters.

A. As a result of these changes, old pelts will not be able to be bundled with new pelts.
B. The furrier will still buy old pelts, including bundles.
D. Old pelts will not be able to be removed from bundles of old pelts. New pelts will be able to be removed from bundles of new pelts.
E. WG Sheathmaking will require new pelts.
F. Donations of pelts will not be affected.

Additionally, the furriers will expand their purchases to include new pelts from approximately 50 creatures. Some of these pelts are intended to challenge highly trained characters.

Rangers may notice a decrease in ability if they have not been training consistently in First Aid training. This is by design; the Skinning spell is intended to augment rather than replace a skill.

Warden

***

Creature reports are set up kind of like this:

Three more things to recap:

  1. It was asked at the class where a bestiary manual can be found to help in planning out your work detail. One usable one is located at: The Coven's Bestiary. It is under reconstruction, but it will still be helpful with planning out your research.

  2. There isn't any reason to put your life in jeopardy. Just do reports on whatever you hunt. There are others that will be working on this project too, but Willow Hall will take on the brunt of it.

  3. The main goal Ramladu wants from the research is the price range of the skins... So you might have to skin some creatures with a poor tool or figure out other ways to get the low end of the price range. Perhaps damaging the skin during battle. Getting the high end of the range will take some finesse and a bit of luck.

Alexys, Ramladu, and I thank you for your participation.

  ~   Zanteal Magintair: Co-Secretary, Willow Hall