Difference between revisions of "Talents (4E)"

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[[Professions (4E)|Professions]] are the non-combat equivalence of skills, and most rules that apply to skills apply to professions as well. Professions are considered skills for abilities that affect the use of skills. Unlike [[Skills (4E)|skills]], a character does not start with any professions, they must all be learned using [[Talents (4E)|talents]].  
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[[Talents (4E)|Talents]] are the non-combat equivalence of skills, and most rules that apply to skills apply to talents as well. Talents are considered skills for abilities that affect the use of skills.  
  
−
Many vocations lack a profession and people who make their living that way are unskilled, use raw attribute rolls like Strength for manual labor, or use regular skills such as Nature for hunting and fishing or Dungeoneering for mining.  
+
Characters do not start with training in any talents; they can be mastered by taking the [[Traits (4E)#Talented|Talented]] [[Traits (4E)|trait]].  
  
−
Professions generally have no application in combat or action scenes. Using them takes time; from several minutes to several months. They are used to define and flesh out character backgrounds, and their usefulness is in downtime and in skill challenges taking longer than rounds.  
+
== Background ==
 +
Talents are useful in defining and fleshing out character backgrounds. This list of talents is by no means complete. Many vocations lack a corresponding talent skill. People who make their living that way are unskilled, use abilities like Strength for manual labor. Others use regular skills such as Nature for farming, hunting and fishing, or Dungeoneering for mining. If a player has a particular special interest in an area of expertise, the DM can assign it to be a part of an existing talent or skill, or create a new talent. Possible new talents include Cook, Farmer, and other production or service professions. In general, new talents always have the income, contacts, and knowledge elements described below, but no other special rules.  
  
−
Each profession has many sub-branches, specialized fields that govern a part of the whole field. When learning a profession, you only learn one such branch. There are talents that improve all the branches of a profession, giving characters a general talent in a whole profession.
+
== Talents ==
−
Additionally, many professions can be used for the aid other action, both to help skills and ritual casters. Where a profession is relevant for rituals, this is noted in the description of the profession.
+
A character can use a [[Traits (4E)#Talented|trait]] to become trained in a talent.  
  
−
== Academics ==
+
{|
−
Academic professions transform ideas into reality. An academic’s work need to be realized by others, such as actors performing a play, musicians playing a composition, or stonemasons building from an architect’s plans. These professions assume a reasonably efficient society on the scale of the late feudal era. For a barbarian or dark ages game, they might be off-limits.
+
|valign="top"|
 +
* {{a|Actor}}
 +
* {{a|Architect}}
 +
* {{a|Alchemist}}
 +
* {{a|Celebrity}}
 +
* {{a|Dancer}}
 +
* {{a|Governor}}
 +
* {{a|Jeweler}}
 +
* {{a|Lawman}}
 +
* {{a|Leatherworker}}
 +
|width="20px"|
 +
|valign="top"|
 +
* {{a|Lover}}
 +
* {{a|Mechanic}}
 +
* {{a|Merchant}}
 +
* {{a|Musician}}
 +
* {{a|Orator}}
 +
* {{a|Painter}}
 +
* {{a|Sailor}}
 +
* {{a|Singer}}
 +
* {{a|Scribe}}
 +
|width="20px"|
 +
|valign="top"| 
 +
* {{a|Soldier}}
 +
* {{a|Smith}}
 +
* {{a|Stargazer}}
 +
* {{a|Stoneworker}}
 +
* {{a|Tailor}}
 +
* {{a|Valet}}
 +
* {{a|Writer}}
 +
* {{a|Woodworker}}
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== Rules ==
 +
Talents generally have no application in combat or action scenes. Using them takes time; from several minutes to several months. Their usefulness is in downtime and in skill challenges that take longer than rounds.
 +
 
 +
=== Income ===
 +
You can use talent skills to make a living between adventures. For simplicity's sake, this income is generally equal to your expenses for the same time. Having a good rating in an an attractive profession means you can have a high standard of living and not pay for it.
 +
 
 +
=== Contacts ===
 +
Trained talents have a knowledge element. This can be used to find fellow professionals within your chosen field. It works similarly to the Streetwise skill, but only in regards to the profession in question.
 +
 
 +
=== Knowledge ===
 +
Trained talents have a knowledge element. This works much like monster lore for your talent’s field of expertise. This allows craftsmen to know about the kinds of items they make, performers to know songs and sagas, and everyone to know of famous people in their profession.
 +
 
 +
=== Craft ===
 +
Some talents are crafts, and can be used to create mundane items. Trained craftsmen can create magic items. This works like the Enchant Magic Item or Brew Potion rituals, but only for items relevant to the craft. The item must be crafted as part of the enhancement ritual, which will usually require more time than the ritual itself.
 +
:''See also: [[Craft (4E)|Craft]]''
 +
 
 +
=== Perform ===
 +
Performance skills are used to impress and change the mood of others. Each performance takes from one minute up to an hour. In a game context it is more often used as a preliminary to social interaction, helping to set the mood. Used this way, the perform talent can be used do the aid other action for any social interaction, and you can even help yourself this way by doing the performance before your interaction skill check.
 +
 
 +
Another way to use a perform skill is as a way to attract attention and stand out in a crowd; make an opposed roll against the Insight of the target.  
 +
 
 +
=== Rituals ===
 +
Many talents can be used to ritual casters. Different talents have an affinity for different types of rituals. Where a talent is relevant for rituals, this is noted in the description of the talent.
 +
 
 +
== Skill descriptions ==
  
−
=== Ability ===
+
<span id="Actor"></span>
 +
=== Actor (Cha) ===
 +
You can bring stories to life and portray a wide array of emotions by use of voice or gesture.
  
−
Academics use Intelligence as the key ability.
+
'''Examples:''' comedy, drama, mime
  
−
=== Academic professions ===
+
'''Interaction:''' Acting is a [[#Perform|perform]] skill and can aid social interaction.
−
You can learn an Academic Profession by spending a talent.  
 
  
−
==== Architect ====
+
'''Rituals:''' Acting can aid deception rituals.
−
An architect understands geometry and design, making drawings used to build houses, gardens, bridges, fortifications and other large-scale projects. It is generally impossible to make a construction more than 30 ft. tall or 150 ft. long without the help of an architect.  
 
  
−
==== Captain ====
+
<span id="Architect"></span>
−
A captain commands a ship, directing the work of sailors to sail fast and safely, and can navigate costal waters. Any ship over 30 ft. in length requires a captain. You still need Academics (Stargazer) to navigate at sea.
+
=== Architect (Int) ===
 +
An architect understands geometry and design, making drawings used to build houses, gardens, bridges, fortifications and other large-scale projects. It is generally impossible to make a large building (more than 30 ft. tall or 150 ft. long) without the help of an architect. An architect is also good at making maps. During a short break, an architect can make a rough draft of a map of an indoor area, and can find possible locations for hidden doors or chambers this way.
  
−
==== Composer ====
+
'''Rituals:''' An architect can aid creation rituals.
−
A composer writes music and leads other in musical performances. Any performer can create new music for his own performance; a composer coordinates several instruments and singers into one grand design.  
 
  
−
==== Governor ====
+
<span id="Apothecary"></span>
 +
 
 +
=== Apothecary (Int) ===
 +
You refine small quantities of precious substances, like medicines, potions, or the creation of ritual components. You can brew recognize and identify a great variety of substances and know how they react. You can make glassware such as retorts and tubes as well as mirrors and lenses. You can brew magical potions. In some settings, you can make gunpowder.
 +
 
 +
'''Craft:''' You can make potions and poisons.
 +
 
 +
'''Rituals:''' Alchemy can  aid all restoration rituals.
 +
 
 +
<span id="Celebrity"></span>
 +
 
 +
=== Celebrity (Cha) ===
 +
A celebrity is well-known for whatever reason, and can expect some recognition because of this.
 +
 
 +
Make a Celebrity roll to see whether people have heard of you and what their impression is, to find fans and admirers, to gauge your popularity and to check the loyalty of your followers. 
 +
 
 +
To find fans willing to help you has a difficulty of 30; only the very famous can count of finding fans everywhere. If it is generally know that you are in the area (or someone spends an hour spreading the word), the task becomes much easier. On a success, people have a previous impression of you. You won’t need to introduce yourself, and if their basic values mesh with yours they will start out friendly. Fame is not static. When you move about you lose contact with your fan base, and even a temporary setback can make you a has-been or at least make you temporarily out of fashion. Apply the following modifiers:
 +
 
 +
{|class="wikitable"
 +
|'''Situation'''
 +
|'''Modifier'''
 +
|-
 +
|Outside your regular area
 +
| -5 (or more)
 +
|-
 +
|Last adventure was a failure
 +
| -5
 +
|-
 +
|An adventure the last week was a resounding and public success
 +
| +5
 +
|-
 +
|Your presence in the area is generally known
 +
| +10
 +
|-
 +
|There has been a publicity campaign announcing you
 +
| +20
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
Fame has a drawback; it makes it easier to hear rumors of your exploits. Such rumors tend to be exaggerated, almost urban legends, so while it is easy to get people to talk about you, it is no easier to actually find solid information on your whereabouts.
 +
 
 +
<span id="Dancer"></span>
 +
 
 +
=== Dancer (Cha) ===
 +
Dance is the art of bodily expression, to convey meaning through stance, posture, and movement. A dancer can accompany himself using the shuffling of feet or with instruments such as tambourines and castanets, but a dance performance is often supported by a musician. You do not need this talent in order to take part in public dancing, but stage dancing or leading a public dance requires a talent roll.
 +
 
 +
'''Interaction:''' Dancing is a [[#Perform|perform]] skill and can aid social interaction.
 +
 
 +
'''Rituals:''' Dancing be used to aid all divination rituals.
 +
 
 +
<span id="Governor"></span>
 +
=== Governor (Wis) ===
 
A governor understands the nuisances of civilian administration and can balance a budget, keep a bureaucracy running, resolve conflicts, act as a judge, and serve as an administrator.   
 
A governor understands the nuisances of civilian administration and can balance a budget, keep a bureaucracy running, resolve conflicts, act as a judge, and serve as an administrator.   
  
−
==== Merchant ====
+
'''Rituals:''' A governor can aid binding rituals.
−
A merchant understands the laws of supply and demand and is able to move and market large quantities of goods while maintaining a steady profit. Scrupulous traders insure goods come to the right buyers in a timely and efficient manner, to the benefit of everyone. This skill deals with bulk goods; it doesn’t help much when purchasing singular expensive items, such as magic items.
 
  
−
==== Officer ====
+
<span id="Jeweler"></span>
−
An officer commands forces on land; coordinating training, maneuvers and logistics to create a workable military force. Leading a force up to fifty men is done with Service (Boss); coordinating larger forces benefits greatly form an experienced officer.
+
=== Jeweler (Dex) ===
 +
You can work with precious stones and materials such as gold, ivory and mother of pearl to create jewelry, sculptures and other art objects.  
  
−
==== Stargazer ====
+
'''Craft:''' You can [[Craft (4E)|craft]] rings, amulets and some wondrous items.  
−
You know the position of celestial bodies in the sky, and can use them to tell the time and to orient yourself. This is the main profession for navigating at sea, tough Nature is also important for that. This profession can also be used to aid all scrying and travel rituals.
 
  
−
==== Writer ====
+
<span id="Lawman"></span>
−
A writer creates literary works of art; prose, poetry, and drama. These can then be published or performed by speakers and spread ideas, educate, praise, or condemn. A good writer can have an enormous effect on the people of an area, which is why rulers often try to control what is written, both by reward and persecution. This works much like the Diplomacy skill, only it uses the written word. Can be used to aid binding rituals.
+
=== Lawman (Int) ===
 +
You are familiar with law enforcement methods and procedures. You know how to make an arrest, secure evidence, repossess goods, hand out fines, book prisoners, and otherwise run a smooth law enforcement operation. You could be an investigative judge, sheriff, bounty-hunter, city guardsman or tax-collector; police as we think of them today rarely exist in fantasy worlds.
  
−
== Craft ==
+
'''Rituals:''' A lawman can aid warding rituals.
−
You are skilled at making things. Different craftsmen make different kinds of objects. For a heroic character crafts come easily, and you will often surpass ordinary craftsmen in proficiency and diversity. Thus, the craft fields given here are very broad. Most professional craftsmen are much more specialized that this. Still, the Crafts profession is divided into a number of fields or specialties. Each is a separate profession that must be learned separately, but the Handyman talent gives a feat bonus to all crafts.
 
  
−
{{strike|Crafts professions}} {{add|Crafts}} can be used to aid all creation rituals for appropriate objects. Craft skills can also be used to create suitable presents meant for particular people; a well-crafted and suitable present can give a +2 bonus on social interaction rolls against the recipient. The DC of making a fitting present is the Will defense of the target.
+
<span id="Leatherworker"></span>
 +
=== Leatherworker (Wis) ===
 +
You can work with leather and hide, making clothes, leather and hide armor, and slings. Leather is also used as raw material in many other crafts.
  
−
=== Ability ===
+
'''Craft:''' You can [[Craft (4E)|craft]] leather and hide armor, boots, gloves and some wondrous items.
  
−
{{add|Crafts use... eh... some suitable ability. Actually, using different abilities for different crafts may be a good idea. }}
+
<span id="Lover"></span>
 +
=== Lover (Cha) ===
 +
Anyone who puts their mind to it can have a satisfying love-life with a familiar partner; this is the ability to sexually stimulate strangers. This is not only lovemaking, but flirtation, romantic conversation, and by being an attractive and complimentary companion as well.
  
−
=== Magic Item Creation ===
+
'''Interaction:''' Lover is a [[#Perform|perform]] skill and can aid social interaction.
  
−
A trained craftsman can make magic items appropriate to his craft. A smith makes swords, a leatherworker leather armor and so on. The level of the item can be two higher than your own level, three levels higher if you have the Handyman talent. Crafting magic items is a part of an adventure and can take as little as several hours if everything comes together. It is done in three steps.
+
'''Rituals:''' A lover can aid scrying rituals.
  
−
# '''Inspiration:''' This step is governed by the player, who describes the source of inspiration or lore behind the magic. This is often tied to recent experiences; fighting a fire creature, seeing a vast waterfall or talking to a wise mystic might all serve as inspiration for different items. The inspiration stage also includes doing preliminary work, or perhaps just taking a half-finished item out of storage.
+
<span id="Mechanic"></span>
−
# '''Component:''' Most of the material the craftsman needs will be simple and ordinary, but a magic tem always requires at least one extraordinary component. Examples include dragon scales, phoenix eggs, or the sound of a cat’s footfalls. The level of this challenge of this should be equal to the level of the item. Acquiring this component is a small quest in itself, generally involving the entire party and giving a standard quest reward. The DM is encouraged to use this as an adventure hook.
+
=== Mechanic (Int) ===
−
# '''All-Nighter:''' Finally, the item is finished in a long night of hectic work. This takes place during an extended rest, but the hard work costs you two healing surges from the next day. You must also expend materials with a value equal to the cost of the magic item you’re making.
+
You can build mechanical devices, such as crossbows, clocks, traps, and locks. Compared to other crafts, the mechanic is not self-sufficient, needing parts made by a smith, founder and even jeweler to practice the craft.  
  
−
'''Limitations:''' {{add|Cost and level limits for items are the same as for ritual magic item creation.}}
+
'''Craft:''' You can [[Craft (4E)|craft]] mechanical devices, crossbows, and mechanical traps. In some settings, you can craft firearms.
  
−
=== List of crafts ===
+
<span id="Merchant"></span>
 +
=== Merchant (Int) ===
 +
A merchant understands the laws of supply and demand and is able to move and market goods while maintaining a steady profit. You know how to load a ship or organize a caravan. Scrupulous traders insure goods come to the right buyers in a timely and efficient manner, to the benefit of everyone.
  
−
Select one craft for each talent. {{add|Each Craft skill corresponds to a range of occupations. Some examples are given below.}}
+
'''Contacts''': You can find someone willing to sell almost anything, including magical items.
  
−
==== Alchemy ====
+
'''Rituals:''' A merchant can aid travel rituals.
−
You refine small quantities of precious substances, like an apothecary’s medicines, potions, or the creation of ritual components. You can {{strike|craft}} {{add|brew}} potions in batches of five and recognize and identify a great variety of substances and know how they react. An alchemist {{strike|profession}} can {{strike|be used to}} aid all healing rituals.
 
  
−
==== Woodworking}} ====  
+
<span id="Musician"></span>
−
{{add|You are a}} carpenter, {{add|shipwright, joiner, cooper, fletcher, bowyer or other craftsmen that works with wood}}. You can make everything from houses and ships to carts, weapon handles, staves, shields, arrows, and bows.
+
=== Musician (Cha) ===
 +
You can play instruments of all sorts, from flutes and drums to harpsichords and organs.  
  
−
==== Cooking ====
+
'''Interaction:''' Musician is a [[#Perform|perform]] skill and can aid social interaction.
−
You are a cook, {{add|brewer, baker}}. Whatever your occupasion, you prepare food – either for immediate consumption or for storage and trade – such as curing meat, brewing ale and beer or vinting wine. A brewer can brew potions using the crafting rules for magic items, only in batches of ten.
 
  
−
==== Metalworking ====
+
'''Rituals:''' A musician can aid any exploration ritual.
−
A founder casts soft metals, from precious metals such as silver, gold, and bronze to simple metal such as tin or lead. He can also work soft metals when cold, engraving and hammering anything softer than iron or steel. These metals generally do not carry an edge well, but make excellent tools and jewelry as well as axes, flails and maces.
 
  
−
==== Lapidary ====
+
<span id="Orator"></span>
−
A lapidary works in hard, fragile materials such as hard stone, ivory, glass, and gems. He can also engrave and decorate metals.  This is useful for making jewelry, ornaments, high-quality tableware, and precision instruments such as alchemists use. Lapidaries can also make windows and simple prisms and lenses from glass or crystal. {{strike|as well as spear points and maces.}}
+
=== Orator (Cha) ===
 +
A speaker is a performer using words, presenting a story or script in a clear, audible, and enjoyable way. It is used in public speaking, storytelling, playacting and other verbal presentation. A speaker is not inherently skilled in social skills; the talent concerns the presentation of a script, not choosing the right words for an occasion. Still, this talent can be highly useful if you wish to use social skills against many people at once or in a noisy setting.  
  
−
==== Leatherworking ====
+
'''Interaction:''' Oratory is a [[#Perform|perform]] skill and can aid social interaction.
−
A leatherworker works with leather and hide, making clothes, leather and hide armor, and slings. Leather is also used as raw material in many other crafts. You can be a tanner, saddler, shoemaker,
 
  
−
==== Mechanics ====
+
'''Rituals:''' Oratory can be used to aid binding rituals.
−
A mechanic builds mechanical devices, such as crossbows, clocks, traps, and locks. Compared to other crafts, the mechanic is not self-sufficient, needing parts made by a smith, founder and lapidary to practice the craft. In late renaissance settings, you can make firearms.
 
  
−
==== Painting ====
+
<span id="painter"></span>
−
A painter prepares and applies color to wood and plaster. Skilled painters can work on canvas, producing both portraits and landscapes to current fashions. They can also sketch well, and this is useful for documentation. It takes about five minutes to make a quick sketch of an area, and this can be done as a part of a short rest.
+
=== Painter (Int) ===
 +
A painter makes pictures on a flat surface, paper, wooden board, canvas, or walls. This can be used to make works or art, but also simple sketches that serve as notes or to aid memorization. It is possible to make a fairly detailed sketch of a scene during a short rest.
  
−
==== Pottery ====
+
'''Craft:''' Painting is a [[Craft (4E)|craft]] skill and can create some wondrous items.
−
A potter works in ceramics and other kiln-work, making tableware, urns, tiles, and figurines. This is a very common craft, but part-time village potters cannot rival professional artists working with fine clay and specialized workshops.
 
  
−
==== Scribe ====
+
'''Rituals:''' Painting can be used to aid deception rituals.
−
A scribe works with paper, making neat books and scrolls. This includes all parts of book-making, -binding, -writing, and illumination (making illustrations). A scribe can also take dictation and do basic bookkeeping. If printing is available, it falls under this profession as well.
 
  
−
==== Smithing ====
+
<span id="Sailor"></span>
−
A smith shapes iron and steel, making chain, scale and plate armor, iron tools, and all melee weapons except the quarterstaff and club.   
+
=== Sailor (Wis) ===
 +
You are comfortable on ships and boats and know how to operate ships and boats of any size. You can navigate coastal waters in reasonable safety as long as you only sail by day. You cannot navigate at sea using this talent, see [[#Stargazer|Stargazer]].
  
−
==== Stoneworking ====
+
<span id="Scribe"></span>
−
You are stonemason, blockcutter, sculptor, works in stone, building smaller buildings, walls and the like or realizing the plans of an architect. A trained stonemason can also do sculpting and decorative work in stone.
+
=== Scribe (Int) ===
 +
Being literate is one thing; being a trained scribe something else entirely. Scribes are craftsmen working with writings; copyists, librarians, illustrators, and bookbinders. A scribe is a master of calligraphy and bookbinding, able to make easily readable books and manuscripts. If the setting has printing presses or other means of easily reproducing text, scribes are proficient with them. A scribe is also familiar with various archivist systems, and is more able to find books in a library or archive than most people. This allows the Scribe talent to substitute for all knowledge rolls as long as the documents are available, but each roll takes an hour.  
  
−
==== Tailor ====
+
The scribe skill is not concerned with the contents of the text or images reproduced, only with presentation. It is not a substitute for the [[#Writer|Writer]] or [[#Painter|Painter]] talents, scribes are concerned with reproduction of writings and illustrations, not with original writing, visual arts, or interaction skills. However, an attractive presentation using calligraphy and proper paper has a better chance of ever being presented.
−
A tailor makes clothes and cloth armor, along with tents, and tarpaulins. A good tailor can make and repair these things quickly and efficiently; an excellent tailor can make them beautiful and attractive, often using expensive imported materials. Tailored objects make excellent gifts.
 
  
−
==== Weaving ====
+
'''Craft:''' Can be used to copy rituals.
−
Weaving, fabric-making and basket-weaving techniques, useful for making wicker work, blankets, quilts, carpets, and cloth. It takes a very skilled weaver to make large pieces of cloth, such as those needed for sails, large carpets, or noble clothes and bedclothes.
 
  
−
==== Other ====
+
'''Rituals:''' A scribe can aid divination rituals.
  
−
Dyer: A catch-all for chemical workers, from such low pursuits as soap-making and salt-panning to paper-making and dying expensive cloth.
+
<span id="Singer"></span>
  
−
== Fame ==
+
=== Singer (Cha) ===
 +
You can use your voice as an instrument. Your voice can enthrall an audience and be audible in a wide area. A professional singer has a wide repertoire and can vary volume and timbre, and can also act as a chanter, leading other less skilled singers.
  
−
Fame is not so much as profession as a measure of how successful and well-known you are in your career. It is used to see whether NPCs have heard of you and what their impression is, to find fans and admirers, to gauge your popularity and to check the loyalty of your followers.
+
'''Interaction:''' Singer is a [[#Perform|perform]] skill and can aid social interaction.
  
−
Fame is not static. When you move about you lose contact with your fan base, and even a temporary setback can make you a has-been or at least make you temporarily out of fashion. You cannot retry a failed Fame roll unless the situation has significantly changed. Apply the following modifiers to
+
'''Rituals:''' Singing can aid exploration rituals.
  
−
{|class="wikitable"
+
<span id="Soldier"></span>
−
|'''Situation'''
+
=== Soldier (Wis) ===
−
|'''Modifier'''
+
You know how to work as part of a disciplined military unit. A soldier knows how to forage, maintain equipment, understand orders, make camp, organize guards and patrols, march without losing coherency, to and fight in formation, and other military tasks.  
−
|-
 
−
|Outside your regular area
 
−
| -5 (or more)
 
−
|-
 
−
|Last adventure was a failure
 
−
| -5
 
−
|-
 
−
|An adventure the last week was a resounding and public success
 
−
| +5
 
−
|}
 
−
Fame has a drawback; it makes it easier to hear rumors of your exploits. But such rumors tend to be exaggerated, almost urban legends, so while it is easy to get people to talk about you, it is no easier to actually find solid information on your whereabouts.
 
  
−
To see if people have been impressed by your fame, make a Fame roll against Will defense. On a success, they have a previous impression of you; you won’t need to introduce yourself, and if their basic values mesh with yours they will start out friendly.  
+
'''Rituals:''' A soldier can aid warding rituals.
  
−
To find fans willing to help you has a difficulty of 30; only the very famous can count of finding fans everywhere. If you spend an hour looking them up, the DC falls to 20. Such fans will give you basic aid; a place to stay, food, shelter. They will speak out for you and do minor services, but not take risks on your behalf.  
+
<span id="Smith"></span>
 +
=== Smith (Str) ===
 +
You can shape all kinds of metal and make armor and weapons, tools, and other useful objects such as horseshoes and nails.
  
−
== Perform ==
+
'''Craft:''' You can [[Craft (4E)|craft]] metal items such as weapons and armor, shields, helmets, bracers, greaves and some wondrous items.
−
Performance skills are used to entertain, please, and impress other people. Each performance takes from one minute up to an hour. In a game context it is more often used as a preliminary to social interaction, helping to set the mood. Used this way, the perform profession can be used do the aid other action for any social interaction, and you can even help yourself this way by doing the performance before your interaction skill check. Another way to use a perform skill is as a way to attract attention and stand out in a crowd in a positive way; the DC is the Insight of the target.  
 
  
−
==== Acting ====
+
<span id="Stargazer"></span>
−
{{add|comedy, drama, mime, etc. as per the 3.5 SRD}}
+
=== Stargazer (Int) ===
 +
You know the position of celestial bodies in the sky, and can use them to tell the time and to orient yourself. This main use it for navigation without landmarks, such as at sea, on rolling plains, or in the deep desert. It can also be used to mark time and for astrological and astronomical observations.
  
−
==== Courtier ====
+
'''Rituals:''' This talent can be used to aid scrying and travel rituals.
−
You are versed in the endless intricacies and rituals of court life. Courts this complex exist only in rich, stable places such as ancient empires or large Eladrin cities in the Feywild. Etiquette governs every step of life, and maintaining form and decorum has become a performance art in itself. This can be used to aid deception rituals.
 
  
−
==== Dance ====
+
<span id="Stoneworker"></span>
−
Dance is the art of bodily expression, to convey meaning through stance, posture, and movement. A dancer can accompany himself using the shuffling of feet or with instruments such as tambourines and castanets, but a dance performance is often supported by a musician. You do not need this profession in order to take part in public dancing, but stage dancing or leading a public dance requires a profession roll. This can also be used to aid all divination and scrying rituals.
+
=== Stoneworker (Str) ===
 +
You can work stone, adobe, clay and the like, building smaller buildings or to realize the plans of an architect. A trained stoneworker can also do sculpting and decorative work in stone, plaster, and clay.
  
−
==== Percussion instruments ====
+
'''Craft:''' You can [[Craft (4E)|craft]] items from stone.
−
You play percussion instruments, from huge war drums to tiny xylophones. Drums are loud and suitable for public spectacles and war, less so for intimate scenes. They are often used as accompaniment for dancers, and can be used as long-distance signaling devices, tough such drums need to be huge, often made out of whole trees. You can aid warding rituals.
 
  
−
==== String instruments ====
+
'''Rituals:''' Can  aid all creation rituals.
−
You play string instruments, such as harps, lyres, mandolins, and dulcimers. This creates subtle sounds suitable for intimate settings. String instruments can be loud but then need to be excessively large and they never reach the volume of drums or horns. You can aid restoration rituals.
 
  
−
==== Wind instruments ====
+
<span id="Tailor"></span>
−
You play wind instruments, such as horns, pipes, flutes, and recorders. These are very flexible in style, capable of being either subtle or very loud as the case demands, but you cannot sing while playing a wind instrument. This can be used to aid travel rituals.
+
=== Tailor (Dex) ===
 +
You can makes clothes and cloth armor, along with tents and tarpaulins. You understand weaving and other fabric-making techniques, such as felt making and carpet knitting. A good tailor can make and repair these things quickly and efficiently; an excellent tailor can make them beautiful and attractive, often using expensive imported materials. Tailored objects make excellent gifts.  
  
−
==== Keyboard instruments ====
+
'''Craft:''' You can [[Craft (4E)|craft]] cloth armor, capes, shoes, gloves and some magic wondrous items.
−
There are many machines that function as musical instruments, from organs, clavichords, accordions, viola organista, and harpsichords to magical effects used as instruments. Not all use a keyboard; what they have in common is that the player does not directly create the sound and instead uses a device. Keyboard instruments are extremely flexible, and can be used to create almost any type of music, but they tend to be expensive or heavy or both. Keyboard music can be used to aid creation rituals.
 
  
−
==== Sing ====
+
<span id="Valet"></span>
−
You can use your voice as an instrument. Your voice can enthrall an audience and be audible in a wide area. A professional singer has a vide repertoire and can vary volume and timbre, and can also act as a chanter, leading other less skilled singers. Can be used to aid exploration rituals.
+
=== Valet (Wis) ===
 +
You are good at caring for the creature comforts of others. This includes maintaining clothes, cooking, providing basics such as light, food, and warmth, hygiene and grooming, handling personal expenses efficiently, and knowing when you are needed or not. A novice valet is a servant or maid, as you progress in skill you might move on to become an innkeeper, major-domo, or master of a large household.  
  
−
==== Oratory ====
+
'''Contacts''': Important people often have their own valets, who can be surprisingly free with gossip when with others of their profession.
−
A speaker is a performer using words, presenting a story or script in a clear, audible, and enjoyable way. It is used in public speaking, storytelling, playacting and other verbal presentation. A speaker is not inherently skilled in social skills; the profession concerns the presentation of a script, not choosing the right words for an occasion. Still, this profession can be highly useful if you wish to use social skills against many people at once or in a noisy setting. Oratory can be used to aid binding rituals.
 
  
−
== Services ==
+
'''Rituals:''' A valet can aid restoration rituals.
−
Service professions provide skilled services without crafting objects. Service skills are a way to earn respect and a living, but also a way to focus and find inner strength; professions can be used to aid other on almost any task by providing a good working environment. Professional relationships are also a very good way to integrate yourself with others of the same profession, and can be used like Streetwise to find rumors appropriate to the job.
 
  
−
==== Barber ====
+
<span id="Writer"></span>
−
A barber does all kinds of body care, from styling hair, nails and skin to massage and minor surgical work such as removing blemishes or making tattoos. Many barbers are also skilled in Healing.
+
=== Writer (Wis) ===
 +
A writer uses the written word, presenting a story or discourse in a clear, intelligible, and enjoyable way. It is used to record things for perpetuity and give them a wider spread than simple stories. A writer is not inherently skilled in social skills; the talent concerns putting words into writing in a legible and understandable way, not the contents of the message. Knowledge skills are needed to fill the words with content, social skills such as Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidation are needed to influence a reader. Still, this talent can be highly useful if you wish to use social skills against many people at once to spread ideas over a large area, limited by the reproduction techniques of the setting and the speed of news.  
  
−
==== Overseer ====
+
'''Craft:''' Can be used to make wondrous items that are books or scrolls.
−
{{strike|Boss}} You  know how to lead a small team of workers. This hands-on approach to leadership works with groups of ten to a fifty people or so. You know when to encourage or punish, when to give instructions, and how to keep up morale. This is useful both to lead a civilian work crew or office, a small military unit, or a gang.
 
  
−
==== Farmer ====
+
'''Rituals:''' Writing can be used to aid binding rituals.
−
You can work with soil and plants, producing bountiful harvests or beautiful and meditative gardens.  
 
  
−
==== Husbandry ====
+
<span id="Woodworker"></span>
−
You can care for, train, breed, and herd domestic animals.
 
  
−
==== Lover ====
+
=== Woodworker (Wis) ===
−
Anyone who puts their mind to it can have a satisfying love-life with a familiar partner; this is making a profession of it and being able to sexually stimulate strangers.  
+
You can work wood, building smaller buildings, furniture, and interiors or to realize the plans of an architect. You can make carts, wagons, tools, shafts, arrows, bows, and wooden weapons such as staves and clubs.  
  
−
==== Peddler ====
+
'''Craft:''' You can [[Craft (4E)|craft]] items from wood.
−
You buy and sell produce. You are familiar and comfortable with local markets, and able to find anything that is being sold in a particular locale. You know how to work with strangers as customers, and can quickly evaluate goods and know their resale value.
 
  
−
==== Sailor ====
+
'''Rituals:''' Can  aid creation rituals.
−
You are comfortable on ships and boats and know how to handle small craft or serve as crew on larger ones. You can navigate costal waters in reasonable safety as long as you only sail by day. You cannot navigate at sea using this profession alone. See Academics (Captain) for rules on ships and Academics (Stargazer) for navigation.
 
  
−
==== Valet ====
+
== See also ==
−
You are good at caring for the creature comforts of others. This includes maintaining clothes and personal hygiene, providing basics such as light, food, and warmth, handling personal expenses efficiently, and knowing when you are needed or not. A novice valet is a servant or maid, as you progress in skill you might move on to become an innkeeper or major-domo.
+
* [[Traits (4E)|Traits]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
−
 
 
* [http://www.renfaire.com/Acting/professions.html List of medieval professions]
 
* [http://www.renfaire.com/Acting/professions.html List of medieval professions]
  
 
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Latest revision as of 13:12, 28 May 2010

4ED&D 4E
4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons

Talents are the non-combat equivalence of skills, and most rules that apply to skills apply to talents as well. Talents are considered skills for abilities that affect the use of skills.

Characters do not start with training in any talents; they can be mastered by taking the Talented trait.

Background

Talents are useful in defining and fleshing out character backgrounds. This list of talents is by no means complete. Many vocations lack a corresponding talent skill. People who make their living that way are unskilled, use abilities like Strength for manual labor. Others use regular skills such as Nature for farming, hunting and fishing, or Dungeoneering for mining. If a player has a particular special interest in an area of expertise, the DM can assign it to be a part of an existing talent or skill, or create a new talent. Possible new talents include Cook, Farmer, and other production or service professions. In general, new talents always have the income, contacts, and knowledge elements described below, but no other special rules.

Talents

A character can use a trait to become trained in a talent.

Rules

Talents generally have no application in combat or action scenes. Using them takes time; from several minutes to several months. Their usefulness is in downtime and in skill challenges that take longer than rounds.

Income

You can use talent skills to make a living between adventures. For simplicity's sake, this income is generally equal to your expenses for the same time. Having a good rating in an an attractive profession means you can have a high standard of living and not pay for it.

Contacts

Trained talents have a knowledge element. This can be used to find fellow professionals within your chosen field. It works similarly to the Streetwise skill, but only in regards to the profession in question.

Knowledge

Trained talents have a knowledge element. This works much like monster lore for your talent’s field of expertise. This allows craftsmen to know about the kinds of items they make, performers to know songs and sagas, and everyone to know of famous people in their profession.

Craft

Some talents are crafts, and can be used to create mundane items. Trained craftsmen can create magic items. This works like the Enchant Magic Item or Brew Potion rituals, but only for items relevant to the craft. The item must be crafted as part of the enhancement ritual, which will usually require more time than the ritual itself.

See also: Craft

Perform

Performance skills are used to impress and change the mood of others. Each performance takes from one minute up to an hour. In a game context it is more often used as a preliminary to social interaction, helping to set the mood. Used this way, the perform talent can be used do the aid other action for any social interaction, and you can even help yourself this way by doing the performance before your interaction skill check.

Another way to use a perform skill is as a way to attract attention and stand out in a crowd; make an opposed roll against the Insight of the target.

Rituals

Many talents can be used to ritual casters. Different talents have an affinity for different types of rituals. Where a talent is relevant for rituals, this is noted in the description of the talent.

Skill descriptions

Actor (Cha)

You can bring stories to life and portray a wide array of emotions by use of voice or gesture.

Examples: comedy, drama, mime

Interaction: Acting is a perform skill and can aid social interaction.

Rituals: Acting can aid deception rituals.

Architect (Int)

An architect understands geometry and design, making drawings used to build houses, gardens, bridges, fortifications and other large-scale projects. It is generally impossible to make a large building (more than 30 ft. tall or 150 ft. long) without the help of an architect. An architect is also good at making maps. During a short break, an architect can make a rough draft of a map of an indoor area, and can find possible locations for hidden doors or chambers this way.

Rituals: An architect can aid creation rituals.

Apothecary (Int)

You refine small quantities of precious substances, like medicines, potions, or the creation of ritual components. You can brew recognize and identify a great variety of substances and know how they react. You can make glassware such as retorts and tubes as well as mirrors and lenses. You can brew magical potions. In some settings, you can make gunpowder.

Craft: You can make potions and poisons.

Rituals: Alchemy can aid all restoration rituals.

Celebrity (Cha)

A celebrity is well-known for whatever reason, and can expect some recognition because of this.

Make a Celebrity roll to see whether people have heard of you and what their impression is, to find fans and admirers, to gauge your popularity and to check the loyalty of your followers.

To find fans willing to help you has a difficulty of 30; only the very famous can count of finding fans everywhere. If it is generally know that you are in the area (or someone spends an hour spreading the word), the task becomes much easier. On a success, people have a previous impression of you. You won’t need to introduce yourself, and if their basic values mesh with yours they will start out friendly. Fame is not static. When you move about you lose contact with your fan base, and even a temporary setback can make you a has-been or at least make you temporarily out of fashion. Apply the following modifiers:

Situation Modifier
Outside your regular area -5 (or more)
Last adventure was a failure -5
An adventure the last week was a resounding and public success +5
Your presence in the area is generally known +10
There has been a publicity campaign announcing you +20

Fame has a drawback; it makes it easier to hear rumors of your exploits. Such rumors tend to be exaggerated, almost urban legends, so while it is easy to get people to talk about you, it is no easier to actually find solid information on your whereabouts.

Dancer (Cha)

Dance is the art of bodily expression, to convey meaning through stance, posture, and movement. A dancer can accompany himself using the shuffling of feet or with instruments such as tambourines and castanets, but a dance performance is often supported by a musician. You do not need this talent in order to take part in public dancing, but stage dancing or leading a public dance requires a talent roll.

Interaction: Dancing is a perform skill and can aid social interaction.

Rituals: Dancing be used to aid all divination rituals.

Governor (Wis)

A governor understands the nuisances of civilian administration and can balance a budget, keep a bureaucracy running, resolve conflicts, act as a judge, and serve as an administrator.

Rituals: A governor can aid binding rituals.

Jeweler (Dex)

You can work with precious stones and materials such as gold, ivory and mother of pearl to create jewelry, sculptures and other art objects.

Craft: You can craft rings, amulets and some wondrous items.

Lawman (Int)

You are familiar with law enforcement methods and procedures. You know how to make an arrest, secure evidence, repossess goods, hand out fines, book prisoners, and otherwise run a smooth law enforcement operation. You could be an investigative judge, sheriff, bounty-hunter, city guardsman or tax-collector; police as we think of them today rarely exist in fantasy worlds.

Rituals: A lawman can aid warding rituals.

Leatherworker (Wis)

You can work with leather and hide, making clothes, leather and hide armor, and slings. Leather is also used as raw material in many other crafts.

Craft: You can craft leather and hide armor, boots, gloves and some wondrous items.

Lover (Cha)

Anyone who puts their mind to it can have a satisfying love-life with a familiar partner; this is the ability to sexually stimulate strangers. This is not only lovemaking, but flirtation, romantic conversation, and by being an attractive and complimentary companion as well.

Interaction: Lover is a perform skill and can aid social interaction.

Rituals: A lover can aid scrying rituals.

Mechanic (Int)

You can build mechanical devices, such as crossbows, clocks, traps, and locks. Compared to other crafts, the mechanic is not self-sufficient, needing parts made by a smith, founder and even jeweler to practice the craft.

Craft: You can craft mechanical devices, crossbows, and mechanical traps. In some settings, you can craft firearms.

Merchant (Int)

A merchant understands the laws of supply and demand and is able to move and market goods while maintaining a steady profit. You know how to load a ship or organize a caravan. Scrupulous traders insure goods come to the right buyers in a timely and efficient manner, to the benefit of everyone.

Contacts: You can find someone willing to sell almost anything, including magical items.

Rituals: A merchant can aid travel rituals.

Musician (Cha)

You can play instruments of all sorts, from flutes and drums to harpsichords and organs.

Interaction: Musician is a perform skill and can aid social interaction.

Rituals: A musician can aid any exploration ritual.

Orator (Cha)

A speaker is a performer using words, presenting a story or script in a clear, audible, and enjoyable way. It is used in public speaking, storytelling, playacting and other verbal presentation. A speaker is not inherently skilled in social skills; the talent concerns the presentation of a script, not choosing the right words for an occasion. Still, this talent can be highly useful if you wish to use social skills against many people at once or in a noisy setting.

Interaction: Oratory is a perform skill and can aid social interaction.

Rituals: Oratory can be used to aid binding rituals.

Painter (Int)

A painter makes pictures on a flat surface, paper, wooden board, canvas, or walls. This can be used to make works or art, but also simple sketches that serve as notes or to aid memorization. It is possible to make a fairly detailed sketch of a scene during a short rest.

Craft: Painting is a craft skill and can create some wondrous items.

Rituals: Painting can be used to aid deception rituals.

Sailor (Wis)

You are comfortable on ships and boats and know how to operate ships and boats of any size. You can navigate coastal waters in reasonable safety as long as you only sail by day. You cannot navigate at sea using this talent, see Stargazer.

Scribe (Int)

Being literate is one thing; being a trained scribe something else entirely. Scribes are craftsmen working with writings; copyists, librarians, illustrators, and bookbinders. A scribe is a master of calligraphy and bookbinding, able to make easily readable books and manuscripts. If the setting has printing presses or other means of easily reproducing text, scribes are proficient with them. A scribe is also familiar with various archivist systems, and is more able to find books in a library or archive than most people. This allows the Scribe talent to substitute for all knowledge rolls as long as the documents are available, but each roll takes an hour.

The scribe skill is not concerned with the contents of the text or images reproduced, only with presentation. It is not a substitute for the Writer or Painter talents, scribes are concerned with reproduction of writings and illustrations, not with original writing, visual arts, or interaction skills. However, an attractive presentation using calligraphy and proper paper has a better chance of ever being presented.

Craft: Can be used to copy rituals.

Rituals: A scribe can aid divination rituals.

Singer (Cha)

You can use your voice as an instrument. Your voice can enthrall an audience and be audible in a wide area. A professional singer has a wide repertoire and can vary volume and timbre, and can also act as a chanter, leading other less skilled singers.

Interaction: Singer is a perform skill and can aid social interaction.

Rituals: Singing can aid exploration rituals.

Soldier (Wis)

You know how to work as part of a disciplined military unit. A soldier knows how to forage, maintain equipment, understand orders, make camp, organize guards and patrols, march without losing coherency, to and fight in formation, and other military tasks.

Rituals: A soldier can aid warding rituals.

Smith (Str)

You can shape all kinds of metal and make armor and weapons, tools, and other useful objects such as horseshoes and nails.

Craft: You can craft metal items such as weapons and armor, shields, helmets, bracers, greaves and some wondrous items.

Stargazer (Int)

You know the position of celestial bodies in the sky, and can use them to tell the time and to orient yourself. This main use it for navigation without landmarks, such as at sea, on rolling plains, or in the deep desert. It can also be used to mark time and for astrological and astronomical observations.

Rituals: This talent can be used to aid scrying and travel rituals.

Stoneworker (Str)

You can work stone, adobe, clay and the like, building smaller buildings or to realize the plans of an architect. A trained stoneworker can also do sculpting and decorative work in stone, plaster, and clay.

Craft: You can craft items from stone.

Rituals: Can aid all creation rituals.

Tailor (Dex)

You can makes clothes and cloth armor, along with tents and tarpaulins. You understand weaving and other fabric-making techniques, such as felt making and carpet knitting. A good tailor can make and repair these things quickly and efficiently; an excellent tailor can make them beautiful and attractive, often using expensive imported materials. Tailored objects make excellent gifts.

Craft: You can craft cloth armor, capes, shoes, gloves and some magic wondrous items.

Valet (Wis)

You are good at caring for the creature comforts of others. This includes maintaining clothes, cooking, providing basics such as light, food, and warmth, hygiene and grooming, handling personal expenses efficiently, and knowing when you are needed or not. A novice valet is a servant or maid, as you progress in skill you might move on to become an innkeeper, major-domo, or master of a large household.

Contacts: Important people often have their own valets, who can be surprisingly free with gossip when with others of their profession.

Rituals: A valet can aid restoration rituals.

Writer (Wis)

A writer uses the written word, presenting a story or discourse in a clear, intelligible, and enjoyable way. It is used to record things for perpetuity and give them a wider spread than simple stories. A writer is not inherently skilled in social skills; the talent concerns putting words into writing in a legible and understandable way, not the contents of the message. Knowledge skills are needed to fill the words with content, social skills such as Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidation are needed to influence a reader. Still, this talent can be highly useful if you wish to use social skills against many people at once to spread ideas over a large area, limited by the reproduction techniques of the setting and the speed of news.

Craft: Can be used to make wondrous items that are books or scrolls.

Rituals: Writing can be used to aid binding rituals.

Woodworker (Wis)

You can work wood, building smaller buildings, furniture, and interiors or to realize the plans of an architect. You can make carts, wagons, tools, shafts, arrows, bows, and wooden weapons such as staves and clubs.

Craft: You can craft items from wood.

Rituals: Can aid creation rituals.

See also

External links

4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons
Classes Artificer • Avenger • Barbarian • Bard • Cleric • Druid • Fighter • Invoker • Paladin • Ranger • Rogue • Shaman • Sorcerer • Swordmage • Warden • Warlock • Warlord • Wizard
Core Characters • Feats • Skills • Paragon paths • Weapons • Magic Items • Rituals • Rules • Glossary
Extra Traits • Talents • Craft
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