Even the most magnificent legendary artifacts are not immune to the ravages of time and conflict. Maintaining and repairing your artifacts is crucial to ensure they continue to provide their powerful benefits. Neglecting them can lead to a gradual decline in their effectiveness, or worse, their complete destruction.
Maintenance Mechanics:
- Repair Costs: Artifacts, especially those that have been damaged in combat or through specific events, will incur repair costs. These costs are typically paid in gold and are often proportional to the artifact's rarity and the extent of the damage. You will receive notifications when an artifact requires repair.
- Artifact Quality Degradation: Over time, or due to specific negative events, an artifact's quality can degrade. This is represented by a reduction in its stat bonuses and potential special effects. A "Damaged" or "Worn" artifact will be significantly less potent than its "Pristine" counterpart.
- Repair Options: To repair a damaged artifact, you will typically need to have a skilled artisan or craftsman in your court. The "Court Artisan" or "Master Craftsman" positions can be filled by characters with high Stewardship or Intrigue skills, respectively. Interacting with these characters will often present you with the option to repair your artifacts.
- Special Repair Events: Some legendary artifacts have unique repair mechanics tied to specific event chains. For example, a legendary sword might require a pilgrimage to a holy site to be reforged, or a magical amulet might need to be imbued with a rare ingredient.
The cost and availability of repairs can vary greatly. High-tier artifacts often require rare materials or specialized artisans, making their upkeep a significant drain on your treasury. Consider the long-term commitment before investing heavily in artifacts that are difficult or expensive to maintain. Prioritizing the repair of artifacts that provide the most significant bonuses to your current ruler or dynasty is generally a wise strategy.