Im new to the boards, and i apologize if this has been mentioned before.

How about giving crafters that have hit level 100 in all schools the ability to repair items in quest? Seems sensible to me. Could have it require essences or even sell repair materials. Could make the number of materials needed to repair the item equal to the cost of a vendor repair bill. Such as...sell repair materials for 5pp each. If the vendor cost to repair the item would be 50pp, then it takes 10 materials to repair..if cost would be 1000pp, then it takes 200 materials. Allow them to repair items for party members as well. Repairs could only be done at rest shrines.