Beekeeping
Beekeeping is a custom crafting and resource system on Banes World that allows players to raise bee colonies, harvest honey and beeswax, and craft a variety of items using the Wax Crafting skill. Advanced beekeepers can automate their hives with sprinklers and flower beds, and master crafters can create powerful artifact-quality clothing.
Getting Started
To begin beekeeping, you will need a Beehive Deed. Place the deed inside your house to set up a beehive. The hive will appear as a small beehive on a table. All the supplies are available at the beekeepers located in Mainstreet next to the stables and Britain behind the guard shack near the bank.
Once placed, double-click the beehive to open the main hive management gump.
You will want to place your flowers and water first or right after placing the beehive. After placement the first world save will initiate a check for water/flower.
Hive Growth Stages
A new beehive starts in the Colonizing stage and progresses through five stages before it begins producing resources.
| Stage | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colonizing | The initial colony is establishing itself |
| 2 | Stage 2 | Colony is growing |
| 3 | Brooding | Bees are brooding and multiplying |
| 4 | Stage 4 | Colony continues to expand |
| 5 | Producing | The hive is now producing honey and wax |
The hive advances one stage per growth tick (every 24 hours) as long as the colony is healthy and has adequate resources. Once the hive reaches the Producing stage, a visible bee swarm will appear around the hive.
Hive Health
The overall health of your hive determines whether it can grow and produce resources.
| Health Status | Condition |
|---|---|
| Thriving | 100% health — the hive is at peak performance and produces bonus resources |
| Healthy | 66–99% health — the hive grows and produces normally |
| Sickly | 33–65% health — the hive cannot grow or produce |
| Dying | Below 33% health — the hive is in critical condition |
A hive must be at least Healthy to grow or produce resources. If the hive's health drops to zero, the population decreases. If the population reaches zero, the hive becomes empty and must be redeeded with an axe.
Resources: Water and Flowers
Bees require water and flowers within range of the hive. The range is determined by the hive's population plus bonuses from agility potions:
Range = Population + 2 + Agility Potion Level
Water
The hive counts nearby water tile items within range. Water status is scaled relative to the bee population. Having too little water will damage the hive, while moderate amounts keep the colony healthy.
Flowers
The hive counts nearby items with "flower", "snowdrop", or "poppie" in their name. Like water, flowers are scaled relative to population. A fully grown hive with 100k bees (population 10) needs roughly 7–13 flowers nearby for a healthy reading.
| Status | Indicator | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| None | Red X | No resource detected — hive takes heavy damage |
| Very Low | Red - | Critically low — hive takes damage |
| Low | Yellow - | Below minimum — hive takes damage, cannot grow |
| Normal | (none) | Adequate supply |
| High | Green + | Good supply — ideal range |
| Very High | Yellow + | Abundant supply |
| Too High | Red + | Excessive (water only) |
Diseases and Parasites
Hives can develop parasites and diseases over time. Both have two severity levels and deal increasing damage to the hive each tick.
- Parasites are more likely when there is more water nearby (bees encounter more pests). Older hives are also more susceptible.
- Diseases are more likely when there are more flowers nearby (bees contact more disease carriers). Older hives are also more susceptible.
Strength potions reduce the chance of contracting parasites and diseases. Poison potions cure parasites, and cure potions cure diseases.
Potions
You can apply potions to a beehive to provide various benefits. Each potion type can be stacked up to 2 doses on a hive. Only Greater quality potions (or Deadly Poison) are strong enough to use on a beehive — lesser potions will be rejected.
To apply a potion manually, click the potion buttons on the right side of the hive gump. The hive will search your backpack for a matching potion or potion keg.
| Potion Type | Effect |
|---|---|
| Greater Agility | Increases hive range and boosts honey/wax production |
| Greater Poison / Deadly Poison | Cures parasite infestations |
| Greater Cure | Cures diseases |
| Greater Heal | Restores hive health (7 HP per dose, only works when disease/parasite free) |
| Greater Strength | Reduces chance of new parasites and diseases |
Natural healing restores 2 HP per tick when the hive is free of maladies. Heal potions significantly boost this to 7 HP per dose.
Harvesting
Once the hive reaches the Producing stage, you can harvest honey and beeswax from the production gump (click the resource button on the main gump).
Honey
- Requires at least 3 honey accumulated in the hive
- Requires an empty bottle in your backpack
- Requires a Hive Tool (consumed over multiple uses)
- Produces a Jar of Honey
Beeswax
- Requires at least 1 wax accumulated in the hive
- Requires a Hive Tool (consumed over multiple uses)
- Produces Raw Beeswax (or Pure Beeswax if server is configured for it)
- You receive the full amount of stored wax at once
Production Rates
Base production per tick is 1 unit of honey and 1 unit of wax, modified by:
- Thriving health adds +1 to base production
- Agility potions add their level to base production
- Production is multiplied by the hive's population
- Wax production is reduced to 1/3 of the honey rate (minimum 1)
- Maximum storage: 20 honey, 10 wax
Population Growth
The bee population starts at 1 (representing 10,000 bees) and can grow up to 10 (100,000 bees). Population increases by 1 per tick when:
- The hive is in the Producing stage
- Population is below 10
- Both flower and water status are at Normal or better
If the hive's health drops to zero while producing, the population decreases by 1. If the population hits zero, the hive dies.
Beehive Sprinklers
Beehive Sprinklers are craftable items that automate hive maintenance. When locked down in a house within 18 tiles of a beehive, they automatically apply their effect during each hive update tick.
All sprinklers hold up to 1,000 charges and consume 1 charge per nearby hive per tick.
| Sprinkler | Effect | Refill Method | Alchemy Skill Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Sprinkler | Adds water to nearby hives (+5 per tick) | Bee Water Tub or any water pitcher | 115.1 |
| Agility Sprinkler | Applies agility potion effect | Greater Agility Potions or Kegs | 120.0 |
| Poison Sprinkler | Applies poison potion effect | Greater/Deadly Poison Potions or Kegs | 120.0 |
| Cure Sprinkler | Applies cure potion effect | Greater Cure Potions or Kegs | 130.0 |
| Heal Sprinkler | Applies heal potion effect | Greater Heal Potions or Kegs | 130.0 |
| Strength Sprinkler | Applies strength potion effect | Greater Strength Potions or Kegs | 130.0 |
Each sprinkler is color-coded to match its potion type for easy identification. To refill a sprinkler, simply drop the appropriate potion, potion keg, or water container onto it.
Bee Water Tub — A bee-themed water container that holds up to 100 units of water. Fill it at any water source, then use it on a Water Sprinkler to transfer the water. Requires 60.0 Alchemy to craft.
Using Sprinklers
- Craft the sprinkler at a Wax Crafting station near a heat source
- Place the sprinkler inside your house near your beehives
- Lock it down (using house commands)
- Fill it with the appropriate potions or water
- The sprinkler will automatically apply its effect each hive tick
Sprinklers work alongside manual potion application. If a sprinkler has already filled a potion slot to maximum (2 doses), manually applying the same potion will display "already soaked."
Beekeeping Flower Bed
The Beekeeping Flower Bed is a special craftable item that provides the optimal amount of flowers for any beehive within 18 tiles. Unlike sprinklers, the flower bed does not consume charges — once placed and locked down, it permanently provides the ideal flower count that scales automatically with each hive's population.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Alchemy Skill Required | 90.0 |
| Materials | 25 Beeswax, 15 Boards, 5 Fertile Dirt |
| Requires Heat | Yes |
| Range | 18 tiles |
| Charges | None — permanent effect |
The flower bed targets the "High" (green +) flower status for each hive, ensuring optimal growing conditions regardless of population size.
Full Automation
With a complete set of sprinklers and a flower bed, a beekeeper can fully automate their hive operation:
| Item | Handles |
|---|---|
| Water Sprinkler | Water needs |
| Flower Bed | Flower needs (no refill required) |
| Agility Sprinkler | Production boost and range |
| Poison Sprinkler | Parasite treatment |
| Cure Sprinkler | Disease treatment |
| Heal Sprinkler | Health restoration |
| Strength Sprinkler | Disease/parasite prevention |
With full automation, the only interaction needed is harvesting honey and wax from the production gump. All other hive maintenance is handled automatically each tick.
Players can also mix and match — using natural water sources and planted flowers alongside selective sprinklers for potions they prefer not to manage manually.
Wax Crafting
Beeswax harvested from hives is used in the Wax Crafting system, accessed through a crafting tool near a heat source. The main skill used is Alchemy.
Resources
| Item | Skill | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Candle Wick | 50.0 | 1 Wax, 1 Cloth |
| Blank Candle | 50.0 | 2 Wax |
| Candle Fit Skull | 100.0 | 10 Wax, 10 Cloth, 5 Bone |
Candles
| Item | Skill | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Small Candle | 80.0 | 1 Blank Candle, 1 Candle Wick |
| Small Colored Candle | 80.0 | 1 Blank Candle, 1 Dyes, 1 Candle Wick |
| Large Candle | 80.0 | 1 Blank Candle, 1 Candle Wick |
| Large Colored Candle | 80.0 | 1 Blank Candle, 1 Dyes, 1 Candle Wick |
| Skull Candle | 100.0 | 1 Blank Candle, 1 Candle Wick, 1 Candle Fit Skull |
| Candle of Love | 100.0 | 1 Blank Candle, 1 Candle Wick, 1 Essence of Love |
| Standing Candelabra | 120.0 | 3 Blank Candles, 3 Candle Wicks, 10 Iron Ingots |
Decorative
| Item | Skill | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Dipping Stick | 75.0 | 3 Blank Candles |
| Pile of Blank Candles | 75.0 | 5 Blank Candles |
| Some Blank Candles | 75.0 | 3 Blank Candles |
| Raw Wax Bust | 50.0 | 4 Wax |
| Jester's Mask | 75.0 | 15 Wax |
| Clown's Mask | 75.0 | 15 Wax |
| Daemon's Mask | 75.0 | 15 Wax |
| Plague's Mask | 75.0 | 15 Wax |
| UO Vase | 75.0 | 20 Wax |
| Pot of Molten Gold | 75.0 | 30 Wax |
| Skull Pole | 120.0 | 30 Wax, 10 Candle Fit Skulls |
Bee Sprinklers
| Item | Skill | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Water Sprinkler | 115.1 + | 20 Wax, 10 Iron Ingots |
| Agility Sprinkler | 120.0 | 30 Wax, 10 Iron Ingots, 5 Bottles |
| Poison Sprinkler | 120.0 | 30 Wax, 10 Iron Ingots, 5 Bottles |
| Cure Sprinkler | 130.0 | 30 Wax, 10 Iron Ingots, 5 Bottles |
| Heal Sprinkler | 130.0 | 30 Wax, 10 Iron Ingots, 5 Bottles |
| Strength Sprinkler | 130.0 | 30 Wax, 10 Iron Ingots, 5 Bottles |
| Bee Water Tub | 60.0 | 10 Wax |
| Beekeeping Flower Bed | 90.0 | 25 Wax, 15 Boards, 5 Fertile Dirt |
Artifact Clothing
Master beekeepers with high Alchemy and Tailoring skill can craft two powerful artifact-quality items. These items are Blessed (never lost on death) and can be worn by Gargoyles as well as humans and elves.
Beekeeper's Robe
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Alchemy Skill Required | 120.0 + Alchemy Gear |
| Tailoring Skill Required | 120.0 |
| Materials | 200 Beeswax, 1 Robe, 10 Slumgum, 20 Magical Residue |
| Requires Heat | Yes |
| Blessed | Yes |
| Gargoyle Wearable | Yes |
Random Bonus Properties:
| Property | Range |
|---|---|
| Bonus Strength | +5 to +10 |
| Luck | +50 to +100 |
| Lower Reagent Cost | +5% to +20% |
| Swing Speed Increase | +5% to +20% |
| Reflect Physical Damage | +5% to +20% |
| Lower Ammo Cost | +5% to +20% |
Each robe rolls random values within these ranges when crafted, making every robe unique. Crafters may want to create multiple robes to get the best combination of stats.
Beekeeper's Boots
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Alchemy Skill Required | 120.0 +Alchemy Gear |
| Tailoring Skill Required | 120.0 |
| Materials | 200 Beeswax, 1 Boots, 10 Slumgum, 20 Magical Residue |
| Requires Heat | Yes |
| Blessed | Yes |
Random Bonus Properties:
| Property | Range |
|---|---|
| Bonus Intelligence | +5 to +10 |
| Luck | +50 to +100 |
| Lower Mana Cost | +5% to +20% |
| Night Sight | Always active |
| Spell Damage Increase | +5% to +20% |
Like the robe, each pair of boots rolls random values when crafted. The combination of Night Sight, Lower Mana Cost, and Spell Damage makes these boots particularly valuable for mage characters.
Destroying a Hive
If you need to move or remove a beehive, click the destroy button (bottom-right corner of the main gump, marked with a red "\"). You will be asked to confirm. If confirmed, the hive is destroyed and a Beehive Deed is placed in your backpack, allowing you to redeploy it elsewhere.
If the hive is empty or invalid, you can use an axe on it to convert it back to a deed.
Warning: Destroying a hive will lose all accumulated honey, wax, potion charges, and colony progress.
Tips for New Beekeepers
- Place your hive near natural water sources or add full water pitchers and lockk down flowers nearby to get started without sprinklers.
- Keep Greater Cure and Greater Poison potions on hand for emergencies — diseases and parasites can kill a hive quickly if left untreated.
- Strength potions are preventative — apply them before maladies appear to reduce the chance of infection.
- Agility potions are the best production booster — they increase range, honey output, and wax output.
- Heal potions only work when the hive is free of disease and parasites. Cure the maladies first, then heal.
- The hive's range grows with population, so early hives need resources placed closer.
- Sprinklers are a significant investment but pay off quickly when managing multiple hives.
- The Flower Bed is the single best quality-of-life item — craft one early and never worry about flowers again.
- Both artifact clothing pieces require 120 Alchemy/Alchemy bonus gear and 120 Tailoring, so plan your skill build accordingly.
- Craft multiple robes and boots to roll for the best random stats — the ranges are wide enough that a perfect roll is significantly stronger than an average one.