Suggestion: Rock Grinder

[Hasta]

Rock Grinder: A piece of machinery, may be installed OUTSIDE of a Windmill or Watermill building.

Rock Grinder requires, among other materials, Hard Metal (or even Steel) to build. The processing is started manually (with a lever or an RMB pop-up menu command). Rock Grinder has two reservoirs: one for Water and one for Stone, filling the Water reservoir is optional. After the Rock Grinder is filled and a player starts the processing, the reservoirs become inaccessible until the machine stops.

Stockpiles of Stone, singular Stones or even liftable Boulders can be put into the Rock Grinder to slowly produce Rock Dust with "high input amount - low output amount" dynamic, collectable with a container (for example, for 100 stones - 1.0 liters of Rock Dust). Rock dust cannot be dropped on the ground (similar to Ash).

If used with Water reservoir filled, Rock Grinder works even slower but produces Rough Plaster instead of Rock Dust, consuming the Water along with Stones processed. Dry-produced Rock Dust can be turned into Rough Plaster manually ("Mix Rough Plaster" skill).

Rough Plaster requires a container to be put into. If unused for a period of time, Rough Plaster turns into a generic Stone material (similar to Lava). If the Rock Grinder has Rock Plaster left for a period of time in it - Rock Plaster turns into generic Stone and the machine has to be "cleaned" (similar to collecting Coal from a Tar Kiln).

When collecting the processed materials, there is an extremely rare chance of getting an oddity (like a Gemstone, a Speck of Gold, or even some new mid-tier Curio, a fossil of sorts) and a rare chance of getting a Petrified Seashell, Cat Gold or maybe (depending on Stones processed) different color Pigments.

The quality of output items depend on average quality of Stones processed, softcapped by the Rock Grinder quality.

Significance:

- Rough Plaster can be used to modify Fences or even Buildings, or - maybe - to turn Palisade tiles into Plastered Palisade tiles, making modified items soak more damage and (or) changing the aesthetic appearance (coloration depending on most Stone type used - optional but very much desired. Redecorating buildings interior? Yes please!).

- Fun new mid- or end-game material with endless practical and aesthetic uses. I'm sure you guys will have a lot of fun with it while developing. New cooking mechanic - Plastered animal carcass, that you set on fire and wait to collect delicious yummies? It will definitely come in handy if you finally decide to implement brick houses. Endless possibilities, I say.

- Proper unneeded Stones sink with a not-too-high chance of getting something of value.

[Hasta]

BUMP because why the hell not?!

[Sephiron]

This is a great idea. Plaster could be expanded into an entirely new system with it's own crafts and structures, kind of like clay. The addition of machines is a plus as it gives actual purpose to windmill/watermill.

Also I think cast Iron unlocks windmill, what if the grinder is made with iron too? Plaster could be the first system in a more fleshed out "iron age" which is severely lacking in this game imo

[vatas]

Salem has this thing: https://salemthegame.wiki/page/Stamp_Mill although its inclusion was likely motivated by the Salem's mining system (Jorb had the bright idea that mining a tile always produces a boulder.)

Not sure about the implications of plaster. Having all effects be aesthetic would be an easy way to avoid any "indestructible wall" -exploits.

[Sephiron]

Salem has this thing: https://salemthegame.wiki/page/Stamp_Mill although its inclusion was likely motivated by the Salem's mining system (Jorb had the bright idea that mining a tile always produces a boulder.)

Not sure about the implications of plaster. Having all effects be aesthetic would be an easy way to avoid any "indestructible wall" -exploits.

I wouldn't advocate a system where you can add plaster to pre-existing constructions (I don't know how this would work really) but I do think plaster as a new resource with it's own "game" would be cool. And new buildings that require plaster, with variable materials depending on the stone the plaster was made from, would be nice. Proper brick houses for example, indoor stove or hearth made from plaster and brick? Fireplace for instance. Concrete paving. Plaster statues, decorative pillars, plaster molds made from iron that you use to repeatedly pour specific curios. It just feels like this would all fit in nicely for a "iron age", the period in between finding your first iron on level 3 and beyond