NERO
Craftsman Skills Addendum 2004
Objective:
To allow players to choose and customize Craftsman skills, while creating a
system that can yield standard In-Game results with a minimum of upkeep.
Summary:
In the current system, a player may choose to purchase a "Craftsman
Skill" with build earned. They may name the Craftsman Skill, and it
may be as obscure or general as the player desires. Most players feel that
Craftsman Skills in their current form are a "waste of build" as the
skills yield 2 silver a day, but do very little in the way of IG roleplay or
reward. Thus, a system which has set classifications of Craftsman Skill
would allow for plot to write Craftsman cards for a standard number of skills,
while also allowing the player to choose their particular branch of expertise.
A General Category skill would cover more information, but not in detail, while
a specialty skill would cover more of that specialty, but also cover part of the
General Categories.
A player must choose the General Category of the Craftsman skill they wish to
buy when they purchase it. This will be recorded on their character sheet
for future reference. The more cumulative levels of skill a character has in one
General Category, the more knowledgeable the character may be considered to be.
No player should expect to receive information or other reward from a Craftsman
skill every time it is used. No player may use a Craftsman to replace a
Production Point Skill to make Production Point items.
Evaluate Item should be considered a Craftsman Skill to be placed under any
relevant category.
General Categories: (followed
by examples)
Merchant - Cross-Imperial
Trade, Smuggling Routes, Illegal Trade, Trade Routes
Maritime- Captain, Seaman,
Lookout, Ship's Mate
Military - Military Tactics,
Fortress Construction, Siegecraft
Noble - Diplomacy,
<Area> Politics, Seneschal
Artisan - Potter, Jeweler,
Sculptor, Painter
Academic - Mathematics,
Literary, Alchemical Lore, <X> Lore, <Area> Knowledge
Magical - Magical Theory,
Formal Magical Theory,
Elemental - Time, Elemental
Creatures, Planes, Elemental Lore
Common - Mid-wife, Baker,
Farmer, Blacksmith
Criminal - Counterfeiter,
Assassin, Necromancer
Wilderness - Tracker,
Hunter, Survival, Furrier
The actual Craftsman Skills do not necessarily belong to one category or
another. However, the Category will somewhat determine the knowledge or
resources available to the character.
PLAYER INFORMATION for
Rulebook
Craftsman Skills
Craftsman skills are knowledge skills. A craftsman skill can represent a
trade or knowledge that your character has learned, through roleplaying or at
some time in your character's history. These skills do not affect combat
directly, nor do they allow your character to use production skills, though they
may help your character to gain in-game information or to succeed in life other
than adventuring or in conjunction with adventuring.
There are 11 types or categories of Craftsman skills, though you may choose your
character's specific skill within any category that you see as fitting.
You may choose to learn a skill under the general category instead of
specializing, and no one skill belongs to any one category. The categories
are:
Academic
An Academic skill is a skill that is learned for the sake of knowing about that
particular topic, or something that your character sees as a scholarly pursuit.
Some examples of Academic Skills are Mathematics, Alchemical Lore, Psychology,
<X> Lore, or <Area> Knowledge.
Artisan
An Artisan is a person with interest in the fine arts, such as Sculpting,
Painting, Literature. A person who is trained in an Artistic skill, or can
be someone who has learned the methods and theory of an art, or who has an
appreciation of such things.
Common
Common skills are a more generic category than most. Common skills might
include training as a midwife, baker, farmer or other trade that could commonly
be found in a medieval village. A person with a Common skill might have a
better understanding of the life of a commoner, as opposed to an adventurer or
noble.
Criminal
Criminal skills include knowledge of skills or trades that may be considered
illegal. This does not make your character a criminal, and in fact, a
character with a Criminal skill or knowledge might be able to better understand
criminal activities as a whole. Criminal skills could include Forgery,
Counterfeiting, Necromancy, Illegal Trade or Assassin.
Elemental
Skills in the Elemental category are related directly to elementals. Life,
Death, Fire, Ice, or any other type of Elemental that does or might exist in the
world of Avalon may be your choice of specialization, as well as home planes of
the elementals or magic relating to elementals. Many people with
aspirations of allying with a type of elemental may choose to learn about their
chosen interest with this category of skill.
Magical
The knowledge and ability to cast spells can only be learned through
non-Craftsman skills. However, the understanding of magical powers and
spells, as well as Formal Magics and other magical effects can be covered by
this category of skill. Specializations such as Magical Theory, Formal
Magical Theory, Earth Magic, or Healing Magic are examples of Craftsman, Magical
skills
Maritime
The category "Maritime" refers to skills that relate to ships, boats,
trades that are water related and water travel. Some examples of Maritime
skills are Captain, Seaman, Lookout, Ship's Mate, <Area> Knowledge, Ship
Combat and Navigation. While not all water related skills are Maritime
skills, a person who lives mainly on the water or from sea trades may specific
Maritime Knowledge.
Merchant
The category of Merchant refers to all forms of trade and trade routes.
Traders, Merchants, and even people who want to make sure they have a fair deal
when they do business. As not all trade is legal, some skills may fall
under the Criminal category instead, depending on the manner in which your
character uses that skill. Examples of Merchant skills are Cross-Imperial
Trade, Trade Routes, Economic Knowledge, or Smuggling Routes.
Military
Military skills can be anything from being a soldier to being the Commander of
armies. In general, Military skills covers land warfare, from the lowest
ranking member to tactics and weaponry. It does not grant combat
abilities, but may help determine what an opposing force might do or what they
did in the past. Tactics, Fortress Construction, Siegecraft, Soldier,
Commander, and Warlord are examples of Military skills.
Noble
Though learning a Noble skill does not require your character to be a noble,
many nobles may have learned this type of skills from their experience or
through formal training. Diplomacy, <Area> Politics and Seneschal
are examples of skills that may be considered Noble skills, though they may be
learned by anyone for any reason.
Wilderness
Wilderness skills are skills that will help your character survive in the
wilderness, or skills that relate to wilderness, as opposed to society and
civilization. Some examples of Wilderness skills are Tracking, Hunter,
Survival, Furrier and Fishing. This type of skill does not require that
your character live in the wilderness, but does show that your character has
knowledge that is relevant when traveling or working in the wilds of Avalon.
There is no definitive list of Craftsman skills. Each character may have a
unique skill chosen by a player, but each skill must be matched with one of the
categories listed above. Every level of any skill under a category is
added for purposes of general knowledge in that category of skill. Thus,
if your character had three separate skills under the Military category, your
character would be considered to have three levels of general Military skill, as
well as the specializations which you had chosen.
Craftsman skills do not specifically belong to any one category. You may
chose a skill and category for that skill based on your character's convictions,
beliefs and the manner in which that skill is used. However, once a
category is chosen, that category may not be changed unless a Spirit Forge or
similar effect is performed.
Skill Levels
Common terms for specific levels of knowledge are:
1 Level
Novice
3 Levels
Apprentice
5 Levels
Journeyman
10 Levels
Master
20 Levels
Grand Master
Novice
A
novice knows the basics of the skill he or she has set out to learn. They
may know more in theory than in practice, but they will often be able to find a
relevant piece of information given enough time and effort. (1 or 2 Levels)
Apprentice
An
Apprentice has spent some time studying their chosen profession or subject of
expertise. They are quite knowledgeable, and can often find information
relevant to matter at hand if it is within their field of study. (3 or 4 Levels)
Journeyman
A
Journeyman is accomplished enough at their chosen trade to support a family if
they work for the major part of the year. Often, for an adventurer, this
means that the person has specific knowledge, but may not make a considerable
amount of money for it. However, they will often be able to find relevant
information very quickly from what looks to be few clues. (5 to 9 Levels)
Master
A
Master is considered an expert is his or her field. They may be known in
the region as an expert, and people may even seek them to answer questions about
their field. Masters often take a Novice or Apprentice in; the Novice
received training and the Master can concentrate on the tasks that require his
or her attention. (10 to 19 Levels)
Grand Master
A
Grand Master is a rare individual who has devoted much of his or her time to
their chosen field. Much like a Scholar who has spent years learning about
a subject, this person might know rare knowledge or techniques and may be able
to develop their own techniques, make new advancements in the field, or even
determine knowledge that has been hidden from the world for years. A Grand
Master is a highly revered person who can quickly find clues where a Journeyman
would have extreme difficulty, and when even a Master might miss it. (20 Levels
or more)
Examples:
Ladislau is a fisherman by trade. He has fished the coast of the
Alynda is an adventurer, an Earth Caster of some proficiency. She is
trained in Formal Magic, not only the actual casting, but also in the theory of
the magic involved. A knight asks her to run a chapter of the Healer's
Guild in his Estate, and she decides that she would either want to know more
about running a Healer's Guild, or would want to be able to hire a person who
would aid her. The skill involved might be Craftsman, Merchant: Seneschal,
Craftsman, Magical: Guilds, or Craftsman, Academic: Guilds. Any skill that
would aid in the knowledge of how to run a guild might help in building a
successful guild.
Craftsman skills may allow your character to have bonuses to ventures that are
off-board as well. This signifies that a character with knowledge of
running a guild might have more success in the venture if they have knowledge
that is associated with that business. Likewise, a character with
knowledge of military arts might have more luck in defending lands against
invaders (not personally in combat, but with an Estate or managed lands).
A character with knowledge of the local area would have a better idea where to
find needed items or trademen within that area, just as a smuggler would know
more of his or her trade than a person who didn't know even the basics of
Merchanting. More about the benefits of Craftsman skills and the Estate
System can be found in the Players Guide or from your local Chapter Contact.
Expanded
Skill List
The
following are examples of Skills. They are listed without a Category, as
any player may choose the Category for their particular and specific skill.
Alchemical Lore
A person trained in Alchemical Lore may not be able to make Alchemy, but they
are skilled in determining the Alchemical nature of a substance. They may
know the theory of how Alchemy is made, and be able to determine what kind of
process an Alchemist is attempting to study or perform. Many Alchemists
who wish to understand the theory of alchemy research this field or this type of
field.
<Area> Knowledge
This skill indicates that a person is knowledgeable about the area in which you
choose to specialize. The larger the area, the less specific the knowledge
may be. This knowledge might cover land masses, natural features (rivers,
lakes, mountains), climate, travel routes, creatures in the area, civilizations,
people and cultures, and other topics that are relevant to the task at hand.
A small area, such as an estate (c. 2730 sq. acres or 4.3 sq. miles), would be a
simple matter to specialize in, while Avalon would be too large and should be
divided into smaller regions.
As an example, an average Duchy is about 600 square miles, or 409,000 sq acres.
Within a Duchy, there is a Ducal Barony, and two Counties. The first is
about 150 sq miles, and each County is approximately 225 sq miles. There
are two Baronies within each County, and up to 26 Estates within each Barony.
Note that an "area" does not have to be a political area, and could be
the "
<Area> Politics
Similar to the Area Knowledge skill above, this is a skill in which you might
choose to specialize. This skill indicates a person's knowledge in the
politics of a given area. This might include such things as how the Barons
of a duchy work together, how the nobility relate to the commoners and
adventures of an area, how a specific group or team of people may work or not
work with certain others and what the guilds relations with the area might be
with others.
An example of this skill could be Badieran Politics, Don Wise (town) Politics,
or Evendarrian Politics. Any duchy, estate, town, or kingdom could be
chosen as the specialization of the Politics skill. This skill will not
indicate if groups of players work together secretly, but it may indicate the
relation of the local nobility to the general public, or that the Guildmaster
has worked with the Ducal Knight before. Racial politics in an area might
be better noted as the lore of that race or type of person/creature, just as
knowledge of a specific group of people could be noted as the lore of that
group.
Assassin
Being an assassin as a trade is not something to learned lightly. This
means that you may or may not have ties with the local Assassin's Guild, or with
other underground figures. A person with the skill of Assassin has been
trained in the art of killing people or creatures with stealth and grace.
Whether they choose to kill for gold or other forms of payment, teach others
their knowledge or aid in the capture of other Assassins, they may be looked
upon with suspicion should their chosen trade be known. This skill will
not allow anyone to use the skill Assassinate/Dodge, nor may this skill be only
chosen by Rogues.
Baker
A baker is a person who bakes breads and other grain products essential to the
diets of most living beings. Even small towns are likely to have bakers,
and often, a noble will employ the best of the bakers within his or her lands as
their personal baker. While this trade is not often one known by
adventurers, the backgrounds of many indicate humble yet essential trades.
A baker would know about the grains and other ingredients of the trade, as well
as the methods of cooking and baking, special breads and cakes, and might even
expand his or her shop to make several bakeries throughout an area.
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who has learned the ways of bending metal to a shape
that will be useful to those who wield the finished product. A blacksmith
knows the metals to use for a given tool or weapon, the best ways to melt
metals, shape and craft them into useable shapes and what tools you need to do
it. They would be skilled in tempering (hardening) metals, quenching and
finishing metal objects. Most blacksmiths deal primarily in objects much
larger than jewelry, such as horse shoes, plows, harnessing, rods and brackets
for building, and even anchors.
Captain
The term Captain most commonly refers to a person who has been trained to
navigate a boat, ship or other multi-person watercraft through rivers, lakes,
bays and possibly oceans. This skill may be used in tandem with specific
ship position skills or specific ship type skills, such as Lookout, Pilot,
Sailing Vessels, Galleys, Crewman, First Mate, etc. Other related skills
might be
A captain of a ship knows his vessel inside and out. He or she knows how
much it weighs, how much water it draws (how shallow it can be before the ship
hits bottom), how fast it can go and what weather and conditions it and the crew
can withstand. A captain is familiar with the waterways in which he sails,
creatures that a vessel might encounter in those areas and even how to repair a
vessel so that it might be brought back to port.
Counterfeiter
A counterfeiter could be considered to make two silver a day by making it, or by
selling what he or she makes. On the other hand, knowledge of
counterfeiting does not imply that the person makes money, as they could be paid
for their expertise in finding counterfeiters as well.
A counterfeiter knows what dies, presses, molds, and metals must be used to
re-create a likeness of a coin. Knowledge of the skill does not mean that
they own the means to do so, but they are skilled enough to use the materials
that would be required to make coins or other forms of money.
Cross-Imperial Trade
Knowledge of Cross-Imperial Trade could be useful to merchants as well as
nobility and adventurers. This skill portrays a knowledge and
understanding of trade across Kingdom borders, either specific countries or
borders or in general. Specialized skills may yield more information than
general, though more general skills may be relevant to more situations. It
is best to decide which best matches your character and your character's
knowledge.
Diplomacy
Diplomacy does not allow you to ask for specific roleplaying direction in-game
or out-of-game, but it may allow you to try to determine what might upset others
in a delicate situation. Many nobles have been trained in the art of
diplomacy, or have learned through experience.
Diplomacy
can be useful for anyone who wishes to negotiate disputes and become involved in
politics. Your character might know or be able to quickly discern how to
direct negotiations in a desired direction, or to know when he or she needs to
get out of a tough situation before the fight even starts. Diplomats are
often employed and used by nobility, merchant houses, and others to be a
negotiator in hostile situations.
Elemental Creatures
A person who has learned about Elemental creatures, or a specific type of
Elemental creature might have this skill. A person who has interest in the
elements, or in elementals might also have knowledge of elemental creatures.
Knowledge of these creatures habits, or of their hierarchies or powers and
weaknesses are examples of the knowledge and research that this skill
represents.
Elemental Planes
Knowledge of the Elemental Planes is useful to those who have an interest in
Elementals and all that they represent in the world of Tyrra. Elemental
Planes is a broader skill than a specific Elemental Plane would be, but it also
might allow a person to perceive slightly different details about a certain
situation. Magical researchers, alchemical researchers and philosophers,
theorists and anyone who travels, or who has traveled to an Elemental Plane
might have learned this skill or one similar to it.
Elemental Lore
Elemental Lore, much like Elemental Planes, is not a specific skill, though it
is more specific than the Elemental or any category of skill. This skill
might represent information that a person has gathered from others or from
specific incidents and experiences that they have had. Elemental Lore does
not guarantee that a person will know exactly what skills, weaknesses or powers
an Elemental or an Elemental object or area might have, but they will certainly
have a better idea and may see hints, clues and incongruities that an unskilled
person would not see.
Farmer
While Farming is not a skill that most adventurers learn though practice,
farming is a necessary trade to almost all peoples of Tyrra. Many
adventurers had humble roots, and farming is one that many seem to return to
when they retire from traveling the lands. The Farming skill does not
indicate what type of agricultural products a person might have grown or cared
for, but is more of a general skill.
Some
related skills might be Livestock, Equestrian, Stable Hand, Apples, Vegetables,
Fruits, or Market Trade. Note that these skills will all contribute to
each other if they are in the same category (e.g. Craftsman, Common: Fruit
Farming or Craftsman, Magical: Fungus Farming).
Formal Magical Theory
Formal Magical Theory indicates that a person has an understanding of how Formal
Magics work, but does not allow them to cast Formal Magic without the
appropriate skills. Knowledge of theory of the magic of Tyrra can be
learned by anyone, though this skil is most commonly found amongst Academics,
nobles, and adnventurers who dabble in magics, or who have occasion to
investigate Formal Magic.
A person who is trained in Formal Magic Theory understands the theories of how
Tyrra and the Stars contribute to magical energies, or how Formal Magic Scrolls
and components capture magic and release it when used correctly; depending on
his or her personal beliefs. Any person who wishes to research or
develop Formal Magic might have this sort of knowledge or knowledge similar to
it.
Fortress Construction
Training in Fortress Construction involves knowing about the types of materials
used to protect against which weapons or forces, where to get the materials, and
how to build a Fortress to withstand everything from catapults to fire and
armies. These powerful structures form the backbone of any Kingdom, Duchy
or Empire, and often cost hundreds or even thousands of gold to build from
start.
Some related skills could be Architect, Stone Masonry, Builder, Seigecraft, or
Military Structures. A person who knows how to build a Fortress is often
knowledgeable about how to break it down, or on the best or easiest ways to get
inside. It is understandable that most armies have a group of advisors who
have experience in this area of expertise.
Furrier
A Furrier knows how to skin an animal, how to prepare the skin for use and what
the best uses for certain skins are. More knowledgeable furriers may be
able to determine ways to skin animals they have never seen before, or even to
be able to determine what some of the characteristics of that creature from its
anatomy. Many people see tanning hides as a distasteful task, as it
requires long hours and is not the most pleasant of tasks, but fur is a very
important trade in Avalon. Cold areas rely on the fur trades to provide
winter clothing.
Many
cultures of Avalon use animal hides and skins and other parts provided by the
services of a furrier. Depending on the category of the Furrier's skill,
he or she might also be considered to know about the areas in which he or she
has traveled, other creatures who live in the wilderness andhow to survive in
the wilderness. Most furriers know how to catch an animal, how to set up
traps and snares and how to best preserve the hides they find, be it with white
ash or through other tanning methods.
Hunter
Hunters make their living from the lands, hunting the creatures that reside in
the wilds of Tyrra. While few people are sustained in the more populous
areas of Tyrra through hunting, many in outlying villages and many "less
civilized" cultures rely heavily on hunting to feed their people.
Wild elves, barbarians, sarr, half-orcs and half-ogres are widely considered to
be skilled hunters. Scent considerations, habits of prey, cultural
traditions and tactics are all a part of a hunter's life.
Being a hunter does not mean that a character gains knowledge of how to use a
weapon, nor does it mean that a hunter should be weaponless. Training as a
hunter may mean that you can track animals and make observations about wildlife,
and that your character may be comfortable in the wilds where he or she hunts.
Snaring, trapping, spear fishing, and tracking are examples of related
skills.
Illegal Trade
Knowledge about Illegal Trade does not mean that one takes part in illegal
activities. In fact, as with knowledge of other illegal activities, many
people who wish to stop illegal trade might possess this skill. This skill
might include knowing about trade routes, what illegal items are most commonly
traded in an area and how to find those who are connected to illegal trading or
smuggling. Prices of smuggled goods and trends in the trade of illegal
goods are other examples of what this skill might be useful in determining.
Jeweler
A Jeweler is knowledgeable in valuable metals, such as gold, platinum, silver,
and electrum, in the art of crafting jewelry and other fine metal work, in
semi-precious and precious gems, and in the evaluation of metals and gems.
A master jeweler can cut a gem with precision, with little more than a tiny
hammer and chisel. A Jeweler might know where to look for stones that can
be cut into gems, but is more likely to know how to buy gems and metals that are
commonly used in making jewelry.
In the Middle Ages, a jeweler who dealt with stones and gems, more than the
actual crafting of metal and gem settings was also known as a Lapidary or
Lapidarist. The term is derived from an ancient Latin word meaning "a
little stone". Other associated craftsman skills might be Gemology,
Gem Cutting, Metalworking, Ore Refining, and Fine Sculpture.
<Language>
In many cases, you may choose whether your character has knowledge of a language
if you, the player, knows an existing language. If you know Spanish, you
may choose to know it in-game, but you do not have to take a Craftsman skill to
use it. In the case of an in-game language that does not exist other than
in-game, your character may have a Craftsman skill to represent your character's
knowledge of a that language. Some examples of in-game languages are
Craftsman: Ancient Brisbanian, Craftsman: Orcish, or Craftsman: Ancient Runes.
Lookout
A Lookout is the member of a ship's crew that watches the waters around the ship
for dangers. Often, this person will spend hours at a time in the Crow's
Nest of a sailing ship, or on another
<X> Lore
Elemental and Alchemical Lore could be considered to be a skill of this kind,
however, other examples could be Undead Lore, Avalonian Lore, Evendarrian Lore,
Badieran Lore, Minotaur Lore, and many others. Unlike a Knowledge, Lore
represents more of the history or mythology of your chosen subject. A
master of Barbarian Lore, for example, might be knowledgeable in the tribes of
Barbarians, their ways, customs and rites. A Minotaur Shaman might have
the skill Craftsman, Academic: Minotaur Lore.
If you chose a Lore, you may want to do some in-game research, or if you are
starting a character with some kind of Lore, then you may want to contact your
local chapter for more information to help you roleplay your character's skill.
Magical Theory
Magical Theory is the study of how Tyrran magics work. While knowledge of
Magical Theory may include some of the basics on Formal Magic, this skill
centers more on magic as a whole, including spells and cantrips. This
skill represents an understanding of how magic can be used to heal, bind or
damage a target. It may be helpful in magical investigation as well as in
the development of new spells, cantrips, or potions. Having this skill
does not necessarily allow a person to make new spells, cantrips or potions.
Other examples of similar skills could be Earth Magical Theory, Celestial
Magical Theory, Healing Magical Theory, or Magical Components. Magical
Theory may aid in finding components, depending on the local chapter's policy of
component gathering.
Mathematics
In the Middle Ages, Algebra, Geometry and Physics were not unknown.
Mathematics was used in the design of bridges, buildings, siege engines,
ballista, and many other structures that were considered very useful. A
surveyor, academic, architect, astronomer, astrologer, ship builder, or engineer
are examples of people who might be knowledgeable in Mathematics.
Alchemists and potion makers might make use of Mathematics when preparing their
formulae. Merchants who analyze their trade routes and sales would find
Mathematics useful in their work.
Midwife
A midwife is a person who takes care of a pregnant mother, helps in the birth of
a child, and who makes sure that the baby receives the proper care after being
born. Midwives were considered invaluable in the Middle Ages as they were
often considered to be a part of the rite of bringing a baby into the world.
Almost every village has a midwife who knows the art of handling babies. A
midwife knows what remedies should be used for a child's ailments, and is a
central part of civilized life in Avalon. Because of their work, they may
know many people and families in an area and have a good idea of how the area's
children fare.
Military Tactics
Knowledge of Military Tactics is extremely important to soldiers, nobility, and
to anyone else who is a member of the military or even just interested in
military matters. Historians and scholars alike study tactics and warfare.
Knowledge of Military Tactics includes knowing how to best make use of soldiers
and resources, such as weapons and fortifications.
A Military Tactician is a useful part of any armed force in a battle and in
times of war. Even in times of peace, they make sure that all areas of
their jurisdiction are patrolled and guarded. Related skills might be
Craftsman, Military; Fortifications, Officer, or Commander. Knowledge of
Cartography, <Area> Knowledge and of hostile cultures might also be
useful.
Necromancer
A Necromancer is commonly understood as one who studies and uses Necromancy.
Thus, most people with this skill may also be criminals in many societies of
Avalon. Knowledge of Necromancy, or the study of it, without the use of it
is in illegal, and in some cases, may be useful in adventuring. Many
adversaries use Necromancy, and Undead are created of it. A Necromancer
who no longer practices and has been punished for his or her crimes may know
intricacies of Necromancy that most would not consider.
The theories of Necromancy, what effects it may or may not have upon Tyrra, and
the exact results of the creation of undead are all subjects a Necromancer may
have studied.
Painter
A Painter makes a living through his or her artistic vision and creative talent,
put to canvas, cloth or paper. Skilled painters are in demand in civilized
areasand often can find patrons who wish to have their likenesses kept for
posterity. Many nobles have their portraits made, or commission murals and
other paintings to decorate their manors and castles.
An experienced painter will know about painting techniques and materials such as
oil paints, water colors, inks, canvas, parchment, vellum and paper. A
painter can recognize works of quality among his peers, and may be familiar with
the famous works and artists of his or her area.
Potter
A Potter uses fired clay to create vessels, containers and even dinnerware.
Because many things including food and drink are stored in clay vessels, not all
pottery is beautiful, but it is often functional. Some works can be
extremely beautiful, depending on the type of work a potter does. A Potter
knows about clays, such as porcelain, the finest of clays, to the least refined
of red, gray and white clays. They have studied glazes and firing
techniques, such as temperatures and oxidation of various colors and
ingredients. Kilns, large ovens used to fire pottery, can range from small
brick ovens to large house-like structures that take multiple people hours to
warm up to firing temperatures. A potter may also recognize works of art,
and know of other potters in the area in which they live and work.
Sculptor
Though the most common form of sculpture is made of clay, a sculptor can use
metals, plaster, cement, stone and other malleable or carvable materials to
create art. Like other types of artists, sculptors often have a
patron who pays for their materials, housing and other necessities in return for
commissioned works.
Seaman Ship's Mate
A Ship's Mate is a person who helps the Captain run a ship. Depending on
the size of a ship, there may be multiple mates, First Mate, Second Mate and
even Third Mate. These people are can make decisions in the absence of the
Captain, and in fact, are often in charge of the ship while the Captain is away
or sleeping.
A Ship's Mate knows how to run the ship, and knows a bit about navigating,
especially over short distances. The Mate is in charge of keeping other
sailors in line, and making sure that everyone is doing their jobs well. A
Ship's Mate is an important position on almost any ship.
Seneschal
A seneschal has the task of running the day to day operations of a keep, castle
or even an estate. They are in charge of providing food and
resources and of making sure that there is enough gold in the coffers. The
hiring of servants and other craftsmen and maintenance of the keep, manor or
estate are tasks for which a seneschal is used. In modern terms, this
position, often held by a noble, is close to accounting and managing the
accounts of a business or a very large household.
Siegecraft
Much like knowledge of fortifications, this skill indicates a knowledge of the
construction or development of siege engines like ballista, catapults, battering
rams and other mobile weapons of general destruction. Some related skills
could be Architect, Stone Masonry, Builder, Seigecraft, or Military Structures.
A person who knows how to build a siege engine is often knowledgeable about how
to break it down, or on the best or easiest ways to render it useless.
These structures are often the center point of a large army, particularly one on
the move. Most siege engines can be constructed in a relatively short
amount of time, made with materials found in the surrounding lands. In the
case of smaller weapons, they are often brought with armed forces who may need
to get into fortifications.
Smuggling Routes
Knowledge of smuggling routes is excellent for a smuggler, but is also good for
those who wish to stop smugglers or who wish to find smuggled or even stolen
goods. In many cases, stolen objects, particularly those of value, cannot
be sold in the open. A person with knowledge of smuggling routes can
sometimes find clues as to where an item has been taken or sold. Merchants
will often learn about smuggling routes, to better protect their goods, to find
stolen object or to make sure that they do not buy stolen goods, or sometimes to
use smuggling routes, be it for good or nefarious purposes.
Survival
Survival is often viewed as a Wilderness skill. This skill represents the
knowledge of how to find food, shelter, water and to make fire, the mainstays of
life on Tyrra. Hunting, trapping, and getting hides and food are generally
considered to be part of this skill. A person with this skill is often one
who is at home in the woods, plains or other wilderness where most who live in
settlements would be lost. Navigating in the wilds of Avalon, knowing the
habits of creatures and hostile enemies and moving quickly through the lands.
Even
in the coldest of winter, one who is skilled in survival may be able to carve
out a niche of his or her own. Barbarians, wild elves, and other cultures
who are generally considered less civilized often revere those with good
survival skills. Anyone who depends on the wilder lands of Avalon knows
the value of learning to survive without the needs of civilization.
Tracker
Tracking is an important skill to anyone who wishes to find someone, or
something. A skilled tracker can tell you where a person went, if they
were carrying something heavy, how fast they were traveling, and when they may
have passed. A tracker can find tracks and marks that most would miss
entirely. A Master tracker can even tell if a person or creature was
hungry or scared, trying to hide, hunting, and even what size the person or
creature may be.
The foot prints of rodents, felines, bear, deer, canines, and birds are all
distinct. Small differences in shape, claws, and size are all clues to a
tracker. A cat usually walks with it's claws retracted, while a canine
cannot retract it's claws. Snakes, insects and crawling creatures often
leave a small winding trail behind them. Birds hop, squirrels and rabbits
jump with small padded feet, all moving in it's own particular manner. A
tracker studies the differences in animals and terrain, as well as the effects
of weather to determine that they can read a train accurately.
Trade Routes
Knowledge of trade routes is invaluable to anyone involved in trade. Trade
routes are vital to moving supplies and goods from one point to another.
Often, routes involve travel by caravan, boat, ship, horseback, and even
sometimes flying. Some routes are safer than others, some are shorter or
faster than others. A person with knowledge of trade routes, or trade
routes particular to an area knows the intricacies of the routes on which they
do trade.