The heat of the forge and the smell of smoke are well-known to you and your family. Hailing from either a long line of master smiths or just beginning the process of setting up your own empire, you known how to forge and craft many weapons and armors to sell or use in your travels.
When you choose this background, work with your DM to determine your renown as a smith. You could choose to be a newer smith, learning how to craft the more mundane items of the world, or you could be searching for exotic materials to use and add to your vast repertoire of smithing knowledge.
- Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, and one from the following list: Nature, Performance, or Sleight of Hand.
- Tool Proficiencies: Smith's tools
- Equipment: A light hammer, a branding iron with your symbol or seal, smith's tools, an apron, a set of common clothes, 10 piton, and a pouch containing 10 gp.
As a smith you have specific experience with a form of crafting. Roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below to determine your focus as a smith:
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Shield |
| 2 | Sword |
| 3 | Bows |
| 4 | Pikes and Spears |
| 5 | Heavy Weapons |
| 6 | Simple Weapons |
| 7 | Ammunition |
| 8 | Armor |
You understand what it means to be a craftsman. Throughout your life you have put in the hard work to get where you are today and those around you can tell that you are a dependable worker. When entering a new city or town, you can more easily talk to the local blue-collar workers, and they are (typically) more than willing to help you navigate the area or find what you need.
Suggested Characteristics
You understand the necessity of hard work. Patience, skill and adaptability are also necessary components to being a successful smith. There is a time for relaxation, but it surely is not while working on a project or on the job.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m always polite and respectful. |
| 2 | I take great pride in my work. My creations are my life. |
| 3 | I'm abrasive but not too harsh. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. |
| 4 | I enjoy making something new, something no one has seen before. |
| 5 | I am used to the heat, your words mean nothing. |
| 6 | I enjoy being strong and like breaking things. |
| 7 | I have a crude sense of humor. |
| 8 | I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Greater Good. I make gear that others can use in the service of good. (Good) |
| 2 | Responsibility. There is a correct way to forge a sword. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Independence. The fire of the forge rarely stays contained. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. I bend others like I bend metal, the stronger force wins. (Evil) |
| 5 | Occupation. My work is my work, and yours is yours. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Forge. I forge what I wish. This is my life's work. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I always return a favor. |
| 2 | I have worked with various groups and donate to their cause. |
| 3 | My honor is my life. |
| 4 | I enjoy talking shop with others who can understand. |
| 5 | Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for. |
| 6 | I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I follow the plan. There is a specific order things must be done. |
| 2 | I have little respect for anyone who has not faced hard work. |
| 3 | I have shortchanged many people in my attempt to sell gear. |
| 4 | I have a hatred, almost obsession, with a competitor. They will not beat me! |
| 5 | I am often gruff and harsh to those around me. |
| 6 | I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong. |
Contacts
You may have an extensive list of contacts on behalf of the work you have done as a smith. Work with your DM about how this contact list of buyers and/or sellers may affect your adventure and your party.
Instead of focusing on weapons of war and the armors to protect adventurer's and heroes, you, and/or your family, instead prefer to create vehicles for people to travel around the world with. You, and/or your family, are known for your high quality travelling machines that help commoners and nobles alike get from one place to another.
Your family is known far and wide as a widely respected and dependable smith empire. You have worked your way up the ranks or your family business where many can identify you by your family's name and renown. Many are willing to help you along your travels in exchange for various favors or considerations in your family's business. You may be approached by individuals seeking repairs of their items.
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