Technomagicon: Craft Skill (v2) & Ordinary People (v4) [Updated 06Jul08]

[EnglishScribe]

Hmmm, so there are no 'occupation' type skills in 4e yet.

Disappointing, but I'm not increadably supprised. I have seen some excellent 'lite' replacements on here recently, but I need something with a bit more meat.

So, I present what I hope will be the first in a series, a detailed examination of the Craft skill.

The Technomagicon is a series of loosely connected products which experiment with the introduction of ideas and equipment from earlier and later time-periods into a fantasy setting. Other areas that may be covered include Firearms, Energy Weapons, Force Fields, Computers, Communication, Robots, and Vehicles.

Occupational Skills will detail skills ideal for non-heroic characters while offering options for Heroes that do not distract from or significantly enhance their encounter efficiency.

Now updated to Draft 2

Download Draft 2 PDF

Another week, another update, this week for Ordinary People, which goes from the 4 page draft 3 to a new 10 page draft 4. I'll be back to Craft, Artistry and Engineering next week.

Ordinary People Draft 4 See post #45 for table of contents


Summary


Introduction
(See post #12 for a list of skills to be included)

Explanation of Stat Blocks

Eras

The 'Common' Tier
Introducing the commoner, a non-heroic character
Health
Experience
Income
Becoming a Hero
Training and Training Packages


Untrained:
Craft Knowledge
Appraise
Mend

Trained
Monster Knowledge (Constructs)
Fabricate

Craft Equipment
Toolkits
Aids
Outfit
Craft Materials
Craft Patterns
Magic Toolkits
Wizard Implements (Hammer & Lens)

Creature Templates
Tribal Craftsman
Urban Explorer

Class Templates
Frontier Fighter
Market Rogue
Craft Guild Wizard

Alternative Class Features
Improvised Weapon Talent (Fighter/Rogue)
Structure Awareness (Rogue)
Arcane Implement Mastery (Wizard, Hammer or Lens)

Paragon Paths
Arcane Craftmaster
Guild Craftlord

Craft Feats
14 Feats

Craft Skill Challenges
14 Skill Challenges (2 Added)

Craft Rituals
20 Craft Rituals (2 Added)



Comments please.

[VBMEW-01]

I like it, and am pretty much sold. Printed and in use!

[EnglishScribe]

Thanks, which skill would you like so see covered next?

[RaynerApe]

Background, please.
If you plan to develop almost every social/economic/political skill with this develop of depth, you have my $$$ on RPGNow/DriveThru, sir!

[EnglishScribe]

Background, please.

On me, or this project

I live in the UK, manage a software development team, a suite of products used in the airline industry and several international customer accounts.

I have been roleplaying for 25 years, DMing for 20 years, and fiddling with roleplaying rules for most of that time.

As Merlin's Workshop I released a comprehensive set of classes for D20 Modern called Classically Modern

As for this project, I can see a hole in 4E for non-combat skills. I don't like holes so it's time for some shoveling!

... you plan to develop almost every social/economic/political skill with this develop of depth

That's the plan, although this is an after work activity for me at present so the timeframe is not going to be rapid.

[GnomeWorks]

...holy crap.

This is amazing.

[Zulithe]

Very, very impressive, Please continue! I wish I could buy you a beer for this, sir.

[Siberys]

On me, or this project

I think he meant background skills; things like profession and perform.

[EnglishScribe]

Very, very impressive, Please continue! I wish I could buy you a beer for this, sir.

Ooooh, virtual guinness! Thanks.

I'm looking at Artistry (with cartography) then Engineering, probably then Literacy (decipher script, forgery etc) to finish the 'creative' skills before going all social on you all.

Let's look at profession:

Vocations

Academic
Accountant, Administrator, Archaeologist, Clerk, Copywriter, Desk jockey, Lecturer, Librarian, Linguist, Magazine columnist, Novelist, Professor, Sage, Scholar/Student, Screenwriter, Scribe, Teacher, and Translator.

Skills: Mathematics (covered by int), Knowledge skills, Literacy, Linguistics, Business knowledge

Agricultural
Farmer, Woodsman; Herder, Fisherman, Hunter, Swineherd, Skinner, Shearer, Shepherd, Farmer, Herder, Fisherman, Gardener, Groom, Landscaper.

Skills: Perception, Extend Nature

Artistic
Artists, Writers, The unlucky, Artist, Cartographer, Cartoonist, Illustrator, Graphic Artist, Jeweller, Photographer, Sculptor, Tattooist, Web designer.

Skills: Artistry

Athetic
Gymnast, Sportsperson, Athlete, Acrobat, Escapologist, Balance Act.

Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics

Commercial
Advertiser, Barraler, Chandler, Draper, Fishmonger, Haberdasher, Hay Merchant, Merchant, Oil Merchant, Old Cloths Dealer, Peddler, Spice Merchant, Wood Seller, Wool Merchant.

Skills: Extended Diplomacy, Business knowledge

Covert
Assassin, Bandit, Burglar, Cat Burglar, Con artist, Criminal profiler, Criminologist, Cut Throat, Drug Dealer, Espionage agent, Federal agent, Federal police, Fence, Gang member, Highwayman, Investigative reporters Military police, Photojournalist, Pick Pocket, Pimp, Pirate, Private investigator, Police detective, Prostitute, Rebel, Rogue, Scout, Slave, Slaver, State trooper, SWAT team member, Thief, and Uniformed police.

Skills: Stealth, Theivery

Diplomatic
Administrator, Aristocrat, Councillor, Diplomat, Insurance agent, Lawyer, Real estate agent, Sales personnel, and Spy, Noble, Ruler.

Skills: Extended Diplomacy

Engineering
Computer, Programmer, Electrician, Engineer, Geneticist, Mechanic, Technician.

Skills: Engineering

Environmental
Astronaut, Carter, Diver, Driver, Explorer, Forester, Hunter, Miner, Mountaineer, Navigator, Pilot, Air, Prospector, Sailor, Teamster, Trapper, Nomad, Wanderer, Adventurer, Traveller

Skills: Nature, Transport*

Manufacturing
Armourer, Arrow Smith, Bell Founder, Blacksmith, Blade Smith, Book Binder, Bowyer, Brazier, Brick Layer, Builder, Candle-maker, Carpenter, Cartwright, Carver, Ceramic Worker, Clock Maker, Cloner, Cloth Dyer, Cobbler, Cooper, Copper Smith, Crocheter, Cutler, Embroider, Enameler, Field Maker, Fletcher, Foundry Man, Furrier, Gem Cutter, Glass Blower, Glazier, Glover, Gold Smith, Guilder, Harp Crafter, Horner, Jeweller, Joiner, Knitter, Lantern Maker, Leather Worker, Lock Smith, Net Maker, Paper Miller, Petrochem Worker, Plasterer, Plastician, Purse maker, Quilter, Roofer, Rope Maker, Rug Maker, Saddler, Sail Maker, Shipwright, Silver Smith, Smith, Spinner, Stone Mason, Tailor, Tanner, Textile Worker, Tooler, Weapon Smith, Weaver, Wire Drawer.

Skills: Craft

Media
Actor, Animal Act, Charm Act, Clown, Comic, Game Designer, Impressionist, Jester, Knife Thrower, Mine Act, Minstrel, Musician, Newscaster, Poet, Radio or television personality, Singer, Stage Magician, Strongman Act, Story Teller, Swallow Act, and Ventriloquist.

Skills: Perform

Medicine
Dentist, Doctor, Healer, Herbalist, Nurse, Nutritionist, Paramedic, Pharmacist, Psychiatrist, and Surgeon

Skills: Heal

Mililary
Air Force, Army, Barbarian, Berserker, Crusader, Guard, Gatekeeper, Knight, Marine, Mercenary, Navy, Goalkeeper, Paladin, Police, Ranger, Soldier, Warrior, Warrior Monk.

Source: Martial

Paranormal
Psychics, seers and prophets, Telepath, Psion.

Source: Psionic and Ki

Philosphical
Animist, Astrologer, Cleric, Defiler, Druid, Exorcist, Hermit, Inquisitor, Medium, Monk, Mystic, Pilgrim, Preacher, Priest, Prophet, Shaman, Spiritualist, Theologist, Witch, and Witch Doctor

Skills: Religion
Source: Divine

Scientific
Alchemist, Astronomer, Biologist, Chemist, Inventor, Mathematician, Physicist, Planetologist, and Researcher.

Skills: Knowledge skills, Alchemy, Literacy

Service
Baker, Brewer, Butcher, Construction, Cook, Courier, Factory work, Fire-fighter, Inn Keeper, Labourer, Miller, Postal worker, Rescue worker, Service Industry, Tavernier, Taxi driver, and Vintner.

Skills: Diplomacy, Cookery* and Transport*

Supernatural
Alchemist, Conjurer, Enchanter, Illusionist, Mage, Magician, Mentalist, Prophet, Rune master, Seer, Sorcerer, Summoner, Warlock, and Witch.

Source: Arcane, Shadow

To add then
So from that list the only real skill areas missing are:

Transport - Pilot/Drive/Ride
Cookery

So Profession needs to cover these two areas.

I may also add a 'Business' knowledge skill to cover admin, finance etc occuptions.

[Stormhound]

Fascinating addition, though on page 4 I'm looking at the "Era" list and the examples under "Out of Time" and having a little trouble finding matching names. Electrical Age? Star Age? Steam Age?