Add the armors to thurgadin bounty rewards. They are the third faction in that war so they should have some insight about the armor molds.
I think this is a great solution. It encourages using something that is "bring a newb to work" friendly and is lore friendly. Maybe jazz it up by adding an NPC in the fairly under utilized Icewell Keep castle who is something like:
"Hail, Smarty McFrostbottom"
Smarty McFrostbottom says "Howdy Ho Adventurer, have you come to see my research on the [insert some explanation of the Scale/Storm armor]"
"Yes, tell me about the armor."
Smarty McFrostbottom says "Well, I have learned what I can from field reports but what I really need is to be able to study the pieces. Our scouts have acquired some of the damaged pieces the Dragons and Giants use to create their armors. I need someone who can be trusted to take these pieces and acquire the specialized armor to further our research."
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[Sub Ally/Warmly Faction]
"I can be trusted."
Smarty McFrostbottom says "No, you can't."
[Ally/Warmly faction]
"I can be trusted."
Smarty McFrostbottom says "You are a friend to our people, but I do not personally know you. Perhaps if you could do me a favor! In my youth I hired our local Bounty Hunters and paid with family heirlooms I long to have returned. If you could convince the Bounty Hunters to return any of the heirlooms I think we can work together."
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Add an item, McFrostbottom Heirloom to the bounty hunters that costs ?XX? First Rank bounty tokens.
-Maybe 50? that's doing an awful lot of bounties and a fairly high opportunity cost compared to what you could buy.
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"Hail, Smarty McFrostbottom" [trade heirloom]
Smarty McFrostbottom says "A thousand blessings to you for returning my heirloom, Adventurer! Please, take a piece of armor and report to me what you can learn from the Dragons or Giants. Which piece would you like? [list of armors]."
[this stage is repeatable]
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"Hail, Smarty McFrostbottom"
Smarty McFrostbottom says "Have you managed to get any armor Scale or Storm samples?....
-I don't really know what do with this part, maybe nothing. BUT, I would like to segue into another idea separate from this one:
Totally separate idea from the one above that should be looked at separately and not meant to derail, so sorry if it does
"Hail, Smarty McFrostbottom" [after completing Gemstone of Scale/Storm]
Smarty McFrostbottom says "What is that gemstone you are wearing adventurer?! It is amazing! May I study it?"
"Certainly, anything for science."
Smarty McFrostbottom says "This confirms several theories I have about [Scale/Giant] magic! If you would be willing to part with this gemstone I believe I can fabricate a similar gem if you would be willing to pay for some of my materials. XXXXpp should be enough"
[Hand Smarty XXXX plat and Gemstone of Scale / Storm]
Smarty McFrostbottom says "Success! Here is the gemstone. I cannot thank you enough for your contributions. I shall be sure to include your name when I am published."
[Smarty Hands you "Dwarven Gemstone of the Scale/Storm", which is identical to the gemstone you turn in but isn't faction bound]
Why have this? A few reasons:
-It is the proactive alternative to
Reforging the mark, which is great that it exists instead of nothing, but permanently nerfing your character isn't.
-It could segue into some other helpful quests like trading Smarty McFrostbottom ornate, combine stones X:1 for the ones you want to simplify gem farming. Up there where my the original idea trailed off you could talk to Smarty about the gems they need and he could say "we have collected these but do not know their purpose" and he'll trade you X:1. Then when you do the Gemstone of Scale/Storm he could say "there is a greater magic at work here! [blah blah combine blah blah]" then exchange combine stones X:1.
-Having an aug that is faction bound to 10 tiers ago isn't helpful or even engaging, it is just a nuisance that makes helping newbs more restrictive. Do it for the newbs.
edit: grammar, expanded on second to last point