I wanted to propose an idea of advancement for dedicated Smiths already at 50 in a craft; as another form of continuous incentive to perfecting craftsmanship. Many times I've come across item pieces that are part of a set, acquired through adventuring and dungeons.

ZoS, could we get an alternative option to expanding our respective crafts, by specializing? Specializing would be a journey-like mission represented by our acquisition of a piece to a rare armor set i.e.- Ice Furnace, or Storm Knight. It would then be possible to earn knowledge of one of the bonuses in the set; via a synergy called EXPERTISE. Expertise would be used during combat, against an open-world boss that is wearing the armor set desired, at the moment the (5th items ability) activates. The idea is similar to the first Way of the Samurai game, and having to block a move at the right time to learn the technique.

These special warriors will be similar to the challenge of the Ebony Warrior from Skyrim. There would be a queue to press the synergy, and be somewhat quick and random. While there is a timer running, the npc must be defeated in a one-on-one duel. Once they've been defeated in the allotted time, and the expertise synergy has been pressed the number of corresponding times during the battle- the first [2 items ability] bonus (on the armor) will have been learned - so on and son on for each fighter. There will also be a map on the boss' person, leading to the proximity of the next fighter - up to five boss fighters - the final boss having the license and actual secret location of the forge that is used to make the rare armor set. The forges don't even have to be on Tamriel's plane of existence. It's sort of like a kung fu feel, where the student seeks out all the masters for their expertise of a particular fighting style or secret move. But have to prove themselves worthy of the form.

Attempting to insta-kill a boss would not be recommended because it would not give the synergy time to appear, which is, the only way to learn an items bonus from the armor set. Needing to activate the synergy the number of times needed, will force the player to not simply fight, but survive the encounter, to learn the expertise and then defeat the boss. Too fast ... and the forge location can not be discovered; because the player will not have gained knowledge of all the armor bonuses. All five bosses will be wearing the armor set being sought after - with their own distinct traits and enchantments attached.

It's a rough idea, but I think it would be fun and challenging.