good point. A pit can not be stolen or broken and only run full of water, but since we are on a mountain, this should be solvable. The hydraulics need energy, maintenance, can be stolen.
I think there are a lot of solutions to find a place for the pit in or outside the building.
The forge could be just gas powered, but since there are rarely uses for it I would consider it to be a "nice to have". But then again: its a whish list :)
Maybe we could experiment with an induction forge.
good point, you could run a drain out to the side of the mountain. It would be a long run but totally doable. I never even thought of an out door pit. Would you have the pit right out front so that a crane could wheel out from the overhead door to lower equipment down into it. would it have a big spring or air assisted trap door covering it?