There is a problem with one of the files that keeps track of items in the game. If I replace the inv.i0 file in your save, your character can walk around the smith's work area without the game crashing, and without triggering Tingalf's initial approach (he reacts like you've spoken before when you talk to him).

The inv.i0 file at least keeps track of your character's equipment and inventory. Items on the ground or in containers appear to be unaffected, though, so there is a relatively painless way to get the save working (I replied to your email, as well).

- Start a new game, and save right away (before picking anything up).

- Load your latest save and optionally sell any excess loot you have on you (or trade it with Kistandalius for some silver charms, spell books or jewellery).

- Remove all your equipment and drop it on the ground (there is room to south or west of Ars Magicana, where you can spread things out and NPCs would not get in the way) or stash it in a container.

- Do the same for everything left in your inventory (if you don't sell poison potions, you'll want to stash them in a container, since dropping them on the ground will break them).

- Save the game under a new name, then alt-tab out (or exit) and copy the inv.i0 file from the new save into the save folder with everything dropped, overwriting the file there.

- Return to the game and load the save with everything dropped.

- Head to the area around Geoff's forge to confirm that now works, then go back and get your stuff.


From what I can see this fix shouldn't cause any problems, but if you do have any issues, missing quest items can be replaced using the procedure in the topic: Lost Items - guide and directory of inventory files.

For equipment. here is a link for version 1.4 of DAD's Item Editor.
If you do not already have the Visual Basic 6 redistributable installed, and get missing file/component errors, use the full installer for v1.1, then replace the executable in the install folder with the latest version.