#HTE

Forging A Steel D20: When D&D Gets Metal

Nerds come in a lot of flavors, and many of us double dip. Blacksmith tabletop gamer? A natural combo. Even if you don’t personally have a high elf alter ego or a dogeared copy of the Players Handbook, you might appreciate the wholehearted creativity that D&D and similar pastimes can prompt. For your viewing pleasure, consider this step by step on forging the iconic 20-sided figure from hot steel. 

1:00 to start, 4:30 lumpy-golf ball stage, 7:45 for engraving, 10:20 for “testing”

Blacksmith Gil Ramierez, a.k.a. the Vlogsmith, does a nice job at showing the tools and method, while also illustrating the practiced eyeballing (and burritos) the process demands. Like most simple-looking things, a geometric shape is tricky as hell to actually create by hand…particularly with steel. 

This labor intensive die was first created as a gift, and I’d bet several GP it was a critical hit. Gygax would probably approve. 

http://www.core77.com/posts/56038/Forging-A-Steel-D20-When-DnD-Gets-Metal