You belong to a guild of traders, caravan masters, or shopkeepers. You don't craft items yourself but earn a living by buying and selling the works of others (or the raw materials artisans need to practice their craft). Your guild might be a large merchant consortium (or family) with interests across the region. Perhaps you transported goods from one place to another, by ship, wagon, or caravan, or bought them from traveling traders and sold them in your own little shop. In some ways, the traveling merchant's life lends itself to adventure far more than the life of an artisan.
Work with your DM to come up with an appropriate position and determine how much weight that carries. A guild rank doesn’t stand on its own—it’s connected to an enterprise. Not only do you need to determine your position, but you should also work with the DM to describe your guild and their influence on you.
Is your guild old and established, or was your guild recently founded? How much influence do they wield, and over what area? What kind of reputation does your guild have amongst the other guilds in the region? How do the local towns, cities, and trading posts perceive members of your guild? Did you learn the languages of those you trade with or are your goods valuable enough people speak your tongue just to get it?
What’s your position in the guild? Are you the lead of a party of traders? Have you been assigned a guild shop in a town? How do you feel about that responsibility? Or are you a trader in a party yourself? Maybe you venture out on your own to gather goods from remote locations. How loyal to your guild are you? Would you fight to protect their goods and explore to defend its well-being? Or would you willingly surrender your position in the guild for more pay or adventure?
Does your guild have a seal? An insignia you might wear on a signet ring? Particular colors you wear all the time? An animal or plant you regard as a symbol of your guild?
These details help establish your guild and your position as features of the world of the campaign.
- Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Persuasion
- Tool Proficiencies: Navigator's Tools
- Languages: Two of your choice
- Equipment: Navigator's tools, a letter of introduction from your guild, a set of traveler's clothes, and a pouch containing 15gp
Merchant's Guilds typically sprawl over large regions, often having several trading posts across their home ground. However, your guild may be a collection of merchants in one central location or city who gather and trade from one post. To avoid broad competition and hone their skills against other guilds, the guilds typically focus in one trade good. This also allows multiple guilds to operate in the same area without stepping on each other's toes. Some guilds are large enough to focus on a few goods, or even a majority of them, but will assign individual merchants a specific good to focus on. You can select your trade good from the table or roll randomly.
| d20 | Merchant Guild's Goods |
|---|---|
| 1 | Spices |
| 2 | Salt |
| 3 | Iron |
| 4 | Copper |
| 5 | Furs |
| 6 | Coffee |
| 7 | Wine |
| 8 | Grain |
| 9 | Wool |
| 10 | Cloth |
| 11 | Dyes |
| 12 | Paper |
| 13 | Gems |
| 14 | Glass |
| 15 | Lumber |
| 16 | Tobacco |
| 17 | Sugar |
| 18 | Cotton |
| 19 | Ivory |
| 20 | Silk |
As an established and respected member of a guild, you can rely on certain benefits that membership provides. Your fellow guild members will provide you with lodging and food if necessary, and pay for your funeral if needed. In some cities and towns, a guildhall offers a central place to meet other members of your profession, which can be a good place to meet potential patrons, allies, or hirelings.
Guilds often wield tremendous political power. If you are accused of a crime, your guild will support you if a good case can be made for your innocence or the crime is justifiable. You can also gain access to powerful political figures through the guild, if you are a member in good standing. Such connections might require the donation of money or magic items to the guild's coffers.
You must pay dues of 5 gp per month to the guild. If you miss payments, you must make up back dues to remain in the guild's good graces.
Suggested Characteristics
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can't help it – I'm a perfectionist. |
| 2 | I'm a snob who looks down on those who can't appreciate fine art. |
| 3 | I always want to know how things work and what makes people tick. |
| 4 | I'm full of witty aphorisms and have a proverb for every occasion. |
| 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 | Community. It is the duty of all civilized people to strengthen the bonds of community and the security of civilization. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Generosity. My talents were given to me so that I could use them to benefit the world. (Good) |
| 3 | Freedom. Everyone should be free to pursue his or her own livelihood. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Greed. I'm only in it for the money. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. I'm committed to the people I care about, not to ideals. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Aspiration. I work hard to be the best there is at my craft. |
| 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 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 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'll do anything to get my hands on something rare or priceless. |
| 2 | I'm quick to assume that someone is trying to cheat me. |
| 3 | No one must ever learn that I once stole money from guild coffers. |
| 4 | I'm never satisfied with what I have – I always want more. |
| 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. |
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