Artisan
Description
You are a master of a particular craft, skilled in creating works of art or functional items. Whether you're a blacksmith, a painter, a baker, or engaged in some other trade, you've honed your skills to a remarkable level. Your reasons for adventuring might be to seek rare materials, find inspiration, prove to yourself that you are not just a craftsman but also capable of great deeds, or perhaps to sell your wares.
Suggested Characteristics
Artisans are as varied as the works they produce. They may be introverted, focusing intently on their work, or extroverted and great salespeople as well as creators. The driving forces behind their work, the ideals they uphold, and the flaws that can result from their obsession provide a rich tapestry of background options.
Master Craftsman
You have a reputation for the quality and reliability of your craft. When you are in a populated area, you can easily find buyers for your goods or people willing to hire you for specialized work. You are also able to assess the value and quality of objects related to your craft, possibly identifying items that are rare, magical, or exotic.
Equipment
A set of artisan’s tools (one of your choice), a letter of introduction from a guild, a set of traveler’s clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp.
You start with 15 gp OR the following:
- clothes, traveler's
- parchment (one sheet)
- 0 gp
Personality Tables
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| d1 | I am meticulous in my work; a job must be done well or not at all. |
| d2 | I’m a perfectionist and constantly find flaws in my own work. |
| d3 | I have a story or philosophy for every item I create. |
| d4 | I'm always sketching designs or tinkering with things. |
| d5 | I like to talk at length about my craft. |
| d6 | I believe that my work speaks for itself; I'm not one for small talk. |
| d7 | I easily become engrossed in one project to the exclusion of all else. |
| d8 | I am fascinated by other kinds of craftsmanship and different artistic styles. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| d1 | Excellence. My craft deserves the best. (Lawful) |
| d2 | Innovation. The point of life is to bring new ideas into the world. (Chaotic) |
| d3 | Community. My talents were given to me so that I could benefit the world. (Good) |
| d4 | Greed. I’m only in it for the money. (Evil) |
| d5 | Independence. I must prove that I can make it on my own. (Any) |
| d6 | Tradition. The traditional methods are tried and true and shouldn’t be abandoned. (Lawful) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| d1 | My workshop is my sanctuary, and I will do what it takes to protect it. |
| d2 | I owe my skills to my mentor and strive to honor their teachings. |
| d3 | I was cheated out of fair payment for my work and seek retribution. |
| d4 | I work to support my family and community. |
| d5 | I aspire to become the best in my field and will compete fiercely to do so. |
| d6 | A special project of mine was lost or stolen, and I aim to recover it. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| d1 | I am overly critical of others’ work and quick to point out flaws. |
| d2 | I am never satisfied with my work, always thinking it could be better. |
| d3 | I can be oblivious to my surroundings while focused on a project. |
| d4 | My passion for my work can make me obsessive to an unhealthy degree. |
| d5 | I have little patience for those who don't appreciate the intricacies of my trade. |
| d6 | I’m extremely protective of my tools and materials, to the point of paranoia. |
Notes
Credits: Squire 5 (5.1)