A potter is a craftsman who fashions clay into pottery and other ceramics, from fine crockery to the most basic of bowls. A potter works, often obsessively, in creating all manner of earthenware on their wheel. Pottery workshops are crammed with it, including merchandise that has been baked and is ready for sale, alongside items that are still wet and waiting to be taken to the local kiln for firing.[1a]
Kilns are large brick ovens with funnelling chimneys mostly used by local potters, who bring their merchandise to be baked prior to sale. While the primary use of kilns is to harden the clay creations of potters, the witch hunters have also made use of them in the past. The Order of the Silver Hammer is one for economy, so when persecuting a witch why build a burning pyre when the local kiln will do just as well?[1a]
Pots, pans, cups, utensils and many other things are usually made from wood or clay, the raw material of which is garnered from the ground. Unsurprisingly, clay pits hold vast amounts of clay, a malleable material that hardens when baked. The clay-laden earth around northern Stirland and along the Sylvanian border provides the Empire with much of its supply, but this very much depends on whether the Undead are active there.[1a]
In Sylvania, beneath the blood-clotted streams and rank sewage are pits of dense, dark clay. Found close to the salt marshes, and in the stinking bogs that clog up the streams feeding into the River Aver and the River Stir, are clay pits. This dense clay, when mixed with ground bone, can create a surprisingly good base material for potters, urn makers and such like.[1b]
Using the raw clay compound, urn makers create opulent vessels to carry the ashes of powerful beings. Urns of Sylvania are powerful artefacts in their own right, made and decorated by adding baroque and gothic trappings. Once fired in the screeching kilns, they are enchanted to hold the remains of powerful beings, Vampire Lords, Ghoul Kings and even the spiritual essence of ancient warriors. Such urns can find themselves at the centre of Mortis Engines, such is their arcane might.[1b]
Screeching kilns can only be found in the potteries of Sylvania, although why they screech is a bit of mystery. Perhaps there is some spirit trapped within, burning in abject agony every time the kilns are lit? Perhaps the ground bones' owners are freed by the heat? Maybe there are Tomb Banshees trapped inside or some other restless spirit burning as punishment? Such a thing is not beyond the dark imaginings of the Vampire Count of Sylvania Mannfred von Carstein.[1b]
Sources[]
- 1: Total War: Warhammer (PC Game)