Before you ever picked up a blade or a spellbook, you lived for the stroke of a brush, the chip of a chisel, or the pull of a loom. You are a creator at heart, someone who interprets the chaos of existence through the lens of aesthetic beauty and technical skill. Whether you were trained in a prestigious academy, served as an apprentice to a master craftsman, or discovered your talent while scratching figures into the dirt of a farmstead, your hands are guided by a vision others cannot see. You don't just see a castle; you see the play of light on its parapets. You don't just see a person; you see the story etched into the lines of their face. Now, you take that creative fire into the world of adventuring, perhaps seeking the ultimate inspiration or hoping to fund your next masterpiece with dragon's gold.
- Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Performance
- Tool Proficiencies: Calligrapher's Supplies, Cobbler's Tools, Glassblower's Tools, Jeweler's Tools, Leatherworker's Tools, Painter's Supplies, Potter's Tools, Smith's Tools, Tinker's Tools, Weaver's Tools, or Woodcarver's Tools
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment: Calligrapher's Supplies, Cobbler's Tools, Glassblower's Tools, Jeweler's Tools, Leatherworker's Tools, Painter's Supplies, Potter's Tools, Smith's Tools, Tinker's Tools, Weaver's Tools, or Woodcarver's Tools, a sketchbook with 50 pages, a charcoal pencil, a set of traveler’s clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp
Feature: Captured Essence
You can capture the likeness of any person, object, or location you have seen with startling accuracy. By spending an hour with your tools, you can produce a piece of art that conveys a specific message or feeling without the need for words. People who view your work can immediately recognize the subject and the intent behind the piece, allowing you to use your art to bypass language barriers, incite a specific mood in a crowd, or document evidence of something you witnessed.
Furthermore, your reputation precedes you among those who value craft. You can always find free room and board for yourself and your companions at the home of a local noble, a temple, or a guild hall in exchange for a piece of your work or a few hours of labor on a local project.
Suggested Characteristics
Artists are often defined by how they perceive the world around them, often seeing beauty or meaning where others see mundane reality.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I see everything through the lens of composition and color. |
| 2 | I am prone to long silences while I study the lighting in a room. |
| 3 | I find beauty in the most grotesque or unexpected places. |
| 4 | I am fiercely protective of my unfinished works. |
| 5 | I use big words and technical jargon to sound more sophisticated. |
| 6 | I have a habit of sketching people when they aren't looking. |
| 7 | I am my own harshest critic and rarely satisfied with my work. |
| 8 | I believe that art is the only thing that truly lasts in this world. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beauty. The world is a canvas, and I must make it more beautiful. (Good) |
| 2 | Truth. Art should reveal the hidden reality of its subject. (Any) |
| 3 | Innovation. I must create something the world has never seen before. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Legacy. I want my name to be remembered long after I'm gone. (Any) |
| 5 | Community. Art should bring people together and inspire them. (Good) |
| 6 | Power. Images can sway the masses and topple kings. (Evil) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I carry the first brush (or tool) my mentor ever gave me. |
| 2 | My masterpiece was stolen, and I won't rest until I find it. |
| 3 | Everything I create is dedicated to a lost love. |
| 4 | I owe a great debt to the patron who funded my early education. |
| 5 | My art is a secret code intended for a specific recipient. |
| 6 | I seek to capture the face of the deity I saw in a dream. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am easily distracted by a beautiful vista or a striking face. |
| 2 | I look down on anyone who doesn't appreciate "high art." |
| 3 | I will go to dangerous lengths to acquire rare pigments or materials. |
| 4 | I am deeply jealous of anyone whose talent rivals my own. |
| 5 | I am prone to fits of "artistic temperament" when things go wrong. |
| 6 | I would sacrifice almost anything for a moment of true inspiration. |
Comments