Surveying
“Analyzing the land to locate valuable resources or important locations. Surveying has many uses, but is most commonly used to make resource maps for Geology and Mining.
Surveying is a skill that produces surveys that lead to gems and minerals. Creating surveys increases the surveying skill, while using the surveys increases geology (mineral surveys) and mining (mining surveys).
Surveys come in several types:
- Mining Surveys are linked to the Mining skill and lead to metals such as Metal Slabs
- Crystal Surveys are linked to the Geology skill and lead to Redwall Crystals
- Mineral Surveys are linked to the Geology skill and lead to gems such as Quartz and Agate
How to start surveying
To obtain the surveying skill, you first need to become comfortable with Jaime Fatholm in South Serbule. This can be done by completing her 2 initial favors, which require 6 hardboiled eggs and 5 healing potions.
Once she's comfortable with you, she'll give you 8 redwall crystals and teach you the recipe for Serbule Redwall Crystal Survey and South Serbule Redwall Crystal Survey. In the recipe window, you see they require 1 Simple Parchment, 1 Basic Ink and 1 Redwall Crystal. The parchment and ink can be bought from Jaime.
Once you get all three ingredients you can create a Survey map by pushing the 'survey' button. The survey map will be placed in your inventory. You will need to be in the area (eg South Serbule or Eltibule) for which you want to create a survey.
Using a Map
Right click a survey in your inventory and a little red spot will temporarily blink on the minimap (it can be difficult to see if it is on a bright area, it seems to blend in). An on screen message will also give you approximate distances, though it is less practical. It can also help to enlarge your map window, by dragging the lower right corner.
Once you are near enough to the location indicated by the red spot, you click the survey map again, and you will get your crystal or mining reward. At that time you will also level your skill in either geology or mining, depending on the kind of survey.
A common technique for running multiple surveys is to sort the maps by the "quadrant" they're in on the map, and then run through each quadrant! Another helpful technique can be to mark the (closest) survey destinations with a Pin (Point of Interest dot) on the map; Once you are close to the dot you can right click the surveys to see if you are close enough. (Note be sure to remove the Pin after you collected the survey).
Speed Bonus
When you finish a survey then finish another survey in a small amount of time, you are rewarded with a speed bonus that gives you a random gem(s) or alchemy ingredient(s). If you want to take advantage of the bonus, it is recommended to create a few Surveys, take a look at their locations, and plan which one should be done first, second, third, etc. in fast succession. The amount of time you are given for the speed bonus seems to be around 2 minutes (need confirmation).
| Surveying | Recipe | Geology | Mining | Map Leads To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Serbule Redwall Crystal Survey | 1 | - | Redwall Crystal |
| 1 | South Serbule Redwall Crystal Survey | 1 | - | Redwall Crystal |
| 5 | South Serbule Orange Mineral Survey | 3 | - | Carnelian, Citrine, Garnet, Sardonyx, Serpentine, Topaz |
| 7 | South Serbule Simple Mining Survey | - | 1 | Simple Metal Slab, Basic Metal Slab |
| 10 | South Serbule White Mineral Survey | 5 | - | Agate, Diamond, Moonstone, Moss Agate, Onyx, Quartz |
| 15 | Serbule Blue Mineral Survey | 8 | - | Amethyst, Blue Spinel, Fluorite, Lapis Lazuli, Obsidian |
| 15 | South Serbule Basic Mining Survey | - | 10 | Basic Metal Slab. Good Metal Slab |
| 20 | Serbule Green Mineral Survey | 13 | - | Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Piece of Green Glass, Malachite, Peridot, Tourmaline, Tsavorite |
| 25 | Eltibule Orange Mineral Survey | 20 | - | Carnelian, Citrine, Garnet, Sardonyx, Serpentine, Topaz |
| 25 | Eltibule Good Mining Survey | - | 15 | Good Metal Slab, Expert-Quality Metal Slab |
| 35 | Eltibule Blue Mineral Survey | 27 | - | Amethyst, Blue Spinel, Fluorite, Lapis Lazuli, Obsidian |
| 35 | Eltibule Expert's Mining Survey | - | 27 | Expert-Quality Metal Slab, Masterwork Metal Slab |
| 45 | Eltibule Master Mining Survey | - | 35 | Masterwork Metal Slab, Amazing Metal Slab |
| 48 | Serbule Orange Mineral Survey | 25 | - | Carnelian, Citrine, Garnet, Sardonyx, Serpentine, Topaz |
| 50 | Serbule White Mineral Survey | 30 | - | Agate, Diamond, Moonstone, Moss Agate, Onyx, Quartz |