True artisans are a rare lot, obsessed with their art and always looking to discuss and expand their talent.   They appear in many walks of life from performers to blacksmiths, all taking pride and care in their chosen profession.   When an artisan's name is tied to quality, people will come far and wide for their offerings.  In turn, the more wanted an artisan's talents to become, the better their livelihood.  To this end, artisans will guard the perception and value of their name.

You come from a long line of artisans; whether family or clan.  Your art is a point of pride for you and your family, so you dare not embarrass your name.  For generations, your family has crafted a highly regarded name amongst your peers and customers.  To that end, your family has built contacts throughout the community and those who are needed to pursue its craft.  Remember, though, the artisan community is small, and bad news travels fast.  It would only take a few bad experiences to ruin all that had been built to be ostracized from everything your family has worked so hard to build. 

Skill Proficiencies: History, Investigation

Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan’s tools

Languages: 1 language appropriate to your trade

Equipment: A set of artisan’s tools with which you are proficient, a maker’s mark or other appropriate symbols of the clan/family of artisans that you come from, a set of traveler’s clothes, and a pouch containing 20gp

Suggested Characteristics

Use the tables for the guild artisan background below as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to suit your identity as a member of artisan family. . (For instance, consider the words “guild” and “clan” to be interchangeable.)

 

d8	Personality Trait
1	I'm full of witty aphorisms and have a proverb for every occasion.
2	I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can’t help it—I’m a perfectionist.
3	I’m a snob who looks down on those who can’t appreciate fine art.
4	I always want to know how things work and what makes people tick.
5	I’m rude to people who lack my commitment to hard work and fair play.
6	I like to talk at length about my profession.
7	I don’t part with my money easily and will haggle tirelessly to get the best deal possible.
8	I’m well known for my work, and I want to make sure everyone appreciates it. I’m always taken aback when people haven’t heard of me.

d6	Ideal
1	Aspiration: I work hard to be the best there is at my craft. (Any)
2	Community. It is the duty of all civilized people to strengthen the bonds of community and the security of civilization. (Lawful)
3	Generosity. My talents were given to me so that I could use them to benefit the world. (Good)
4	Freedom. Everyone should be free to pursue his or her own livelihood. (Chaotic)
5	Greed. I’m only in it for the money. (Evil)
6	People. I’m committed to the people I care about, not to ideals. (Neutral)

d6	Bond
1	The workshop where I learned my trade is the most important place in the world to me.
2	I created a great work for someone, and then found them unworthy to receive it. I’m still looking for someone worthy.
3	I owe my family\guild a great debt for forging me into the person I am today.
4	I pursue wealth to secure someone’s love.
5	One day I will return to my guild\family and prove that I am the greatest artisan of them all.
6	I will get revenge on the evil forces that destroyed my place of business and ruined my livelihood.

d6	Flaw
1	I'm never satisfied with what I have― I always want more.
2	I’ll do anything to get my hands on something rare or priceless.
3	I’m quick to assume that someone is trying to cheat me.
4	No one must ever learn that I once stole money from guild coffers.
5	I would kill to acquire a noble title.
6	I’m horribly jealous of anyone who can outshine my handiwork. Everywhere I go, I’m surrounded by rivals.