Secrets of Smithing

Isn't it weird how your Dragonborn somehow knows how to create every single smithing recipe in existence without having had any proper training whatsoever? Well, not anymore! Now you know nothing! You will now have to study up on how to smith a certain item before being able to smith it.

How it works

You start out with only the knowledge on how to smith an iron dagger. Your crafting menu is devoid of any weapons and armor aside from this simple starter weapon. You will have to actively seek out crafting manuals to further unlock additional smithing recipes. Crafting manuals for iron weapons and armors can be bought for a reasonable price at blacksmiths located in major cities or Riverwood. Crafting manuals for tiers higher than iron can be found in boss chests located in dungeons or enemy camps. Upon obtaining a crafting manual for a specific item, you simply have to click on the crafting manual to consume it, much like a spell tome. The item will then appear in the smithing menu, assuming you have the corresponding perk.

Crafting tiers

Crafting manuals will start to appear in leveled lists at these levels:
Iron: level 1 - Blacksmiths in major cities and Riverwood
Steel: level 4 - Chests
Bonemold: level 5 - Chests & Blacksmiths in Solstheim
Dwarven: level 6 - Chests
Elven: level 12 - Chests
Chitin: level 15 - Chests & Blacksmiths in Solstheim
Orcish: level 19 - Chests
Steelplate: level 19 - Chests
Scaled: level 19 - Chests
Nordic: level 19: Chests & Blacksmiths in Solstheim
Glass: level 25 - Chests
Ebony: level 30 - Chests
Dragonplate: level 40 - Chests
Dragonbone: level 40 - Chests
Dragonscale: level 45 - Chests
Daedric: level 47 - Chests

Getting low level recipes at a high level is probably not what most people would like, so starting at level 30 you will also get both a pre level 30 recipe and a level 30+ recipe from chests.

Requirements

This mod has no additional requirements. HOWEVER, I strongly advise you to create a bashed patch in order for the leveled lists to play nicely with other mods. If you have a mod that touches leveled list records for blacksmiths and boss chests, MAKE A BASHED PATCH OR FORWARD THE CHANGES IN SSEDIT!

Patches

I have created patches for the following mods. Their recipes will also make use of this system. Any changes to records also edited by this mod have also been forwarded.

Armor Variants Expansion
Book of Shadows - Behaviour-based Stealth Additions
Complete Crafting Overhaul
Colovian Prince Set
Infantry Armor SE
Kvetchi Mercenary Set
Mythic Dawn Armor SE
Skyrim Immersive Creatures

F.A.Q.

Safe to update midgame?
Sure.

Why not create a script to inject the items into leveled lists?
I don't want to take freedom away from other people to adjust the mod to their liking. Besides, making a bashed patch should take no longer than 5 minutes.

What about Skyforge and Stalhrim weapons and armor?
The player already learns about these recipes through questlines so there is no need for the player to learn through a manual.

Will this work with C.O.C.K.S. or this other mod that edits the crafting menu?
Yep, no conflicts with those kind of mods.

I want to create patches/adjustments to this mod. Can I have your permission to post my patch on the Nexus?
Yes, no permission needed. Do whatever you want with the mod.

I can still see a lot of items inside the crafting menu. What gives?
There are so many mods out there that add new items to craft. I can't possibly cover them all. I will try my best making patches going forward.

I can't find any crafting manuals in boss chests or blacksmith shops.
MAKE A BASHED PATCH.

Go forth and adventure!