diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/stacks/sheets/sheet_types.dm b/code/game/objects/items/stacks/sheets/sheet_types.dm
index de46d12aea3..195b9979912 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/stacks/sheets/sheet_types.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/stacks/sheets/sheet_types.dm
@@ -485,12 +485,12 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(cardboard_recipes, list (														\
  */
 
 GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(runed_metal_recipes, list ( \
-	new/datum/stack_recipe("runed door", /obj/machinery/door/airlock/cult, 1, time = 50, one_per_turf = TRUE, on_floor = TRUE), \
-	new/datum/stack_recipe("runed girder", /obj/structure/girder/cult, 1, time = 50, one_per_turf = TRUE, on_floor = TRUE), \
-	new/datum/stack_recipe("pylon", /obj/structure/destructible/cult/pylon, 4, time = 40, one_per_turf = TRUE, on_floor = TRUE), \
-	new/datum/stack_recipe("forge", /obj/structure/destructible/cult/forge, 3, time = 40, one_per_turf = TRUE, on_floor = TRUE), \
-	new/datum/stack_recipe("archives", /obj/structure/destructible/cult/tome, 3, time = 40, one_per_turf = TRUE, on_floor = TRUE), \
-	new/datum/stack_recipe("altar", /obj/structure/destructible/cult/talisman, 3, time = 40, one_per_turf = TRUE, on_floor = TRUE), \
+	new /datum/stack_recipe("runed door (a weak door that stuns non-cultists who touch it))", /obj/machinery/door/airlock/cult, 1, time = 5 SECONDS, one_per_turf = TRUE, on_floor = TRUE), \
+	new /datum/stack_recipe("runed girder (not a recommended usage of runed metal)", /obj/structure/girder/cult, 1, time = 5 SECONDS, one_per_turf = TRUE, on_floor = TRUE), \
+	new /datum/stack_recipe("pylon (heals (and regenerates the blood of) nearby blood cultists and constructs, but also turns nearby floor tiles into engraved flooring)", /obj/structure/destructible/cult/pylon, 4, time = 4 SECONDS, one_per_turf = TRUE, on_floor = TRUE), \
+	new /datum/stack_recipe("daemon forge (can make shielded robes, flagellant's robes, and mirror shields)", /obj/structure/destructible/cult/forge, 3, time = 4 SECONDS, one_per_turf = TRUE, on_floor = TRUE), \
+	new /datum/stack_recipe("archives (can make zealot's blindfolds, shuttle curse orbs, and veil walker equipment)", /obj/structure/destructible/cult/tome, 3, time = 4 SECONDS, one_per_turf = TRUE, on_floor = TRUE), \
+	new /datum/stack_recipe("altar (can make eldritch whetstones, construct shells, and flasks of unholy water)", /obj/structure/destructible/cult/talisman, 3, time = 4 SECONDS, one_per_turf = TRUE, on_floor = TRUE), \
 	))
 
 /obj/item/stack/sheet/runed_metal
diff --git a/code/modules/antagonists/cult/cult_structures.dm b/code/modules/antagonists/cult/cult_structures.dm
index b8f97b5e1f6..3713215e028 100644
--- a/code/modules/antagonists/cult/cult_structures.dm
+++ b/code/modules/antagonists/cult/cult_structures.dm
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 	var/cooldowntime = 0
 	break_sound = 'sound/hallucinations/veryfar_noise.ogg'
 	debris = list(/obj/item/stack/sheet/runed_metal = 1)
+	///if you want to add a special, non-default part of the description that only cultists and observers can see, store it in this variable
+	var/cultist_examine_message
 
 /obj/structure/destructible/cult/proc/conceal() //for spells that hide cult presence
 	density = FALSE
@@ -31,8 +33,11 @@
 /obj/structure/destructible/cult/examine(mob/user)
 	. = ..()
 	. += "<span class='notice'>\The [src] is [anchored ? "":"not "]secured to the floor.</span>"
-	if((iscultist(user) || isobserver(user)) && cooldowntime > world.time)
-		. += "<span class='cult italic'>The magic in [src] is too weak, [p_they()] will be ready to use again in [DisplayTimeText(cooldowntime - world.time)].</span>"
+	if(iscultist(user) || isobserver(user))
+		if(cultist_examine_message)
+			. += "<span class='cult'>[cultist_examine_message]</span>"
+		if(cooldowntime > world.time)
+			. += "<span class='cult italic'>The magic in [src] is too weak, [p_they()] will be ready to use again in [DisplayTimeText(cooldowntime - world.time)].</span>"
 
 /obj/structure/destructible/cult/examine_status(mob/user)
 	if(iscultist(user) || isobserver(user))
@@ -80,6 +85,7 @@
 /obj/structure/destructible/cult/talisman
 	name = "altar"
 	desc = "A bloodstained altar dedicated to Nar'Sie."
+	cultist_examine_message = "A blood cultist can use it to create eldritch whetstones, construct shells, and flasks of unholy water."
 	icon_state = "talismanaltar"
 	break_message = "<span class='warning'>The altar shatters, leaving only the wailing of the damned!</span>"
 
@@ -121,6 +127,7 @@
 /obj/structure/destructible/cult/forge
 	name = "daemon forge"
 	desc = "A forge used in crafting the unholy weapons used by the armies of Nar'Sie."
+	cultist_examine_message = "A blood cultist can use it to create shielded robes, flagellant's robes, and mirror shields."
 	icon_state = "forge"
 	light_range = 2
 	light_color = LIGHT_COLOR_LAVA
@@ -241,6 +248,7 @@
 /obj/structure/destructible/cult/tome
 	name = "archives"
 	desc = "A desk covered in arcane manuscripts and tomes in unknown languages. Looking at the text makes your skin crawl."
+	cultist_examine_message = "A blood cultist can use it to create zealot's blindfolds, shuttle curse orbs, and veil walker equipment."
 	icon_state = "tomealtar"
 	light_range = 1.5
 	light_color = LIGHT_COLOR_FIRE