Originally posted by Tomsawyer:

wtf. This is asinine. It's like a half finished expansion.

Since you are new I will explain. There are multiple biomes and each one requires new gear to progress to the next biome. The black forge will be utilized well past Mistlands into Ashlands and the North when / if the devs get that far then you will be able to upgrade equipment and gear more. The game is not yet ready for a level 3 black forget. Wait a year or 2 or 3 for Ashlands.