Being forced to be a miner

[Jaden]

I'm finding it annoying that I cannot move forward in my crafting skills without first training up mining. As it is, the requirements of learning the mining abilities before being able to further my lapidary and blacksmithing abilities do not fit my character profile well. While I will mine if necessary, I'd much rather buy the necessary materials from the market or another player and concentrate on turning them into much more valuable goods.

They're also inconsistent. To train in leatherworking, there is no requirement that I be able to go out and acquire the pelts (no skinning prerequisite). In fact, I get free skinning training on learning the basic leatherworking ability. There is also the difference of skill prerequisites between Journyman leatherworking and blacksmithing or lapidary: leatherworking only requires 200 skill to get the next ability, while blacksmithing and lapidary both requires 250. Farming only requires 100 for the second tier.

I understand that all these abilities are different skills, but they should be fundamentally the same thing, as you're proving you've learned enough for the masters to teach you more. Unless the farmers and leatherworkers are just less demanding, which seems unfair to those professions.

[Mascond]

I understand where you're coming from with the smithing/lapidary prerequisites. I always interpreted it that mining training gave one a base understanding of gems and minerals necessary to be an accomplished smith or gem expert. The same way that woodworking is a necessary prerequisite for quality carpentry.

As for the difference in prerequisites between leatherworking and blackmithing/mining/lapidary different skills level at different rates. I've spent more time farming than smithing and have 4 times the general blacksmithing level as farming level.

[Landion]

You make some valid points and I've adjusted prerequisites a bit. Hopefully that helps.