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I'm referring to something that does require a modified 'FFXI parallel', or rather, any game you've played that sounds similar.
Epic Damascus Blade requires 1 Damascus Ingot to repair.
Damascus Ingot is made of Damascus Ore + High level crafter + some other stuff.
Damascus Ore only drops from a boss that no one can guarantee a kill-rate for.
Damascus Ingots sell for 'whatever the guild monopolizing the boss decide to sell it for that week'.
What is the 'value' of 10% gear damage on your Epic Damascus Blade when you use it to defend a Caravan?
What if no one has sold a Damascus Ingot on the open market literally ever and it's only ever been traded?
That's the sort of thing I'm talking about, not intended to be an attack on your suggestion or system. It has an easy solution - 'Assign a value to Damascus Ingots anyway'. I don't like it, I think it's a terrible solution. But I feel like your suggestion is hard to get right without taking it.