Salvaging

Was the most common way of obtaining building materials, precious metals, and other valuable resources in the Salvage age. Large salvage operations would be started in the many city ruins left behind by the Ancients. Hundreds of slaves or peasants would partake in hard labor in the ruins, using tools, pulleys, and even animal powered cranes to remove large stones. Extremely sharp saws or sledgehammers would be used to break down old metals from steel beams or wiring, so that they could be melted down and re-used to make tools, weapons, or other items.

The different materials salvaged from the ruins would then be brought to nearby Salvage yards where they would be broken down or shaped into what they were needed for. The salvage yards would employ many stonemasons, smelters, and blacksmiths. Entire villages and towns often grew around the Salvage yards. In fact, most major cities built since the Great Flood are located in close vicinity to Ancient ruins, as they provide a steady supply of materials required for the city to grow.

Due to their hard labor, Salvagers were often viewed as being among the lowest echelons of society, below even the peasant farmers tied to their lords lands. In fact, sometimes the only beings who would do the job were slaves whom were forced to work in the salvage operations and yards.