Blacksmiths are some of the most important members of any community, from forging swords and repairing armor to making nails and hinges, their skills are integral to society. Some Blacksmiths work with others in their trade, while some like to work alone; despite some differences, all blacksmiths have the same are of expertise: metal.
Your life is having a hammer in your hand and sweat on your face. You might have come from deep in the Dwarven mines, or perhaps you're an orc forging the weapons of war, or you're just a simple human in a mellow village. Either way, your hands show the marks of your labor. And now you can give metal the shape you desire.
“Life's a forge! Yes, and hammer and anvil, too! You'll be roasted, smelted, and pounded, and you'll scarce know what's happening to you. But stand boldly to it! Metal's worthless till it's shaped and tempered! More labor than luck. Face the pounding, don't fear the proving; and you'll stand well against any hammer and anvil.”
― Lloyd Alexander, Taran Wanderer
- Skill Proficiencies: After years of dealing with the highest and lowest of customers, you've learned to spot a bad deal when you see one. You've also learned how to convince people of a good deal, or that their time on this transaction is limited due to the rarity, quality, demand of the item.. or that someone else is going to buy it if they don't.
You gain proficiency in Insight or Perception and Persuasion or Intimidation.
"Back to the forge."
―Ornn, League of Legends
- Tool Proficiencies: You gain proficiency in Smith's Tools or Tinker's Tools as well as Leatherworker's Tools.
- Languages: Frequently trading with other races, you have learned to barter in the languages of your usual customers. You are proficient in Common as well as your choice of Elvish, Dwarvish, Gnomish, Halfling, Orc, or Undercommon; dependent on the location of your forge. If you are already proficient in Common, instead of choosing one choose two out of this list of languages.
Languages in D&D
- Equipment: You start out with a set of Smith's Tools or Tinker's Tools, Leatherworker's Tools, a hammer, a whetstone, and a pouch containing 100 gold pieces (in addition to your starting gold, this comes from your most recent sales).
Specialty
During your time as a blacksmith, you had a specific type of item you were specially skilled working with. Roll a D4 or choose from the options in the table below to determine the category:
| D4 | SPECIALTY |
|---|---|
| 1 | Blunt Weapons |
| 2 | Edged weapons |
| 3 | Shields and armors |
| 4 | Jewelry and trinkets |
Long Hours
You feel your best when working at the forge. When you are at a blacksmith forge, you are able to forgo any amount of sleep, and still gain all the benefits of a long rest. The effects of this feature only work if all you do is smith during a long rest.
"A day away from my forge is a day wasted."
―Ornn, League of Legends
Forger
At the cost of 1 silver piece, you are able to make any one-handed simple weapon or one-handed martial weapon at a blacksmith's forge, or you may make any Light armor.
At the cost of 1 gold piece, you are able to make any two-handed martial weapon and up to Scale male in the Medium Armor Table. Breastplate costs 200 gold pieces to make, and Half-Plate costs 450 gold piece to make.
At the cost of 15 gold pieces, you are able to make up to Chain mail in the Heavy Armor Table. Splint costs 100 gold pieces to make, and Plate costs 750 gold piece to make.
The time for crafting weapons and armor is 1 hour.
Not only you can repair and forge items, when it comes to the ones in your Specialty you can create items of increased strength, durability, damage, and value. This makes your works sought after for their quality, as these do not break as often as normal items do. You are renowned throughout the areas around your forge for your craftsmanship, and sought out by all.
When requirements are met, follow the limitations of the Forger under Blacksmith Traits to craft an item, or
When you choose to improve an item, work with your DM to determine what the requirements are (such as material for the item, equipment to improve it, and the location you are in).
| D20 | QUALITY OF THE ITEM CRAFTED/IMPROVED |
|---|---|
| 1 - 10 | Superior, bonus: +1 (or +2 if magical item). Add 10 times 1D4 to the base value of the item. |
| 11 - 15 | Flawless, bonus: +2 (or +3 if magical item). Add 15 times 1D8 to the base value of the item. |
| 16 - 18 | Epic, bonus: +3 (or +4 if magical item). Add 20 times 1D10 to the base value of the item. |
| 19 - 20 | Legendary, bonus: +4 (or +5 if magical item). Add 100 times 1D20 to the base value of the item. Re-roll anything below a 10. |
"If you have a hammer, everything is a nail.
If you are a blacksmith, everything can be whatever you want"
-Unknown
Suggested Characteristics
Life by the forge leaves marks, makes one grow tough and resolute. Metalworkers must deal with a lot of people and their requests; all creating trade deals with suppliers of material, some even forming bonds with regular customers and fellow traders. Some though still prefer the company of their tools and their craft, forgoing normal social requirements to stay at home near the warmth of their forge. Always enjoying a good cold drink, preferably of the alcoholic kind.
Roll the following die, or choose one from each of the following for your characteristics. Or use their keywords as guidelines for your own.
| D8 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can’t help it — I’m a perfectionist. |
| 2 | My work is my family and legacy, nothing else matters. |
| 3 | The best part of my job is getting the praise of others. |
| 4 | It's this simple: you break my things, I break your face. |
| 5 | All I do, I do for the gold. |
| 6 | Everything can be improved, I'll always try to dismantle anything just to put it together more efficiently. |
| 7 | I enjoy nothing more than a cold drink after a day of working by the fire. |
| 8 | My drive is to be famous by my craft, have my name outlive myself. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Creation. Creation is sacred, and those who promote destruction must be destroyed themselves. (Good) |
| 2 | Devotion. Every piece I make must be my best work and I must charge fairly for it. (Lawful) |
| 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. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would still lay down my life for the people I choose as companions. |
| 2 | I pursue wealth to secure someone’s love. |
| 3 | My honor is my life. |
| 4 | One day I will craft an item beautiful enough to earn the favor of the gods themselves. |
| 5 | Someone stole one of my most prized creations. One day, I will make them pay. |
| 6 | I forge my craft for those who need my help. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | My blood boils like the forge at any provocation. |
| 2 | I have little respect for anyone who has no marks in their armor. |
| 3 | I care more about my craft and creations than about those around me. |
| 4 | My work is never good enough, there's always room for improvement. |
| 5 | If you pay the price, the weapon is yours. I don't care how you use it. |
| 6 | I’d rather eat my hammer than admit when I’m wrong. |
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can’t help it — I’m a perfectionist. |
| 2 | My work is my family and legacy, nothing else matters. |
| 3 | The best part of my job is getting the praise of others. |
| 4 | It's this simple: you break my things, I break your face. |
| 5 | All I do, I do for the gold. |
| 6 | Everything can be improved, I'll always try to dismantle anything just to put it together more efficiently. |
| 7 | I enjoy nothing more than a cold drink after a day of working by the fire. |
| 8 | My drive is to be famous by my craft, have my name outlive myself. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Creation. Creation is sacred, and those who promote destruction must be destroyed themselves. (Good) |
| 2 | Devotion. Every piece I make must be my best work and I must charge fairly for it. (Lawful) |
| 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. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would still lay down my life for the people I choose as companions. |
| 2 | I pursue wealth to secure someone’s love. |
| 3 | My honor is my life. |
| 4 | One day I will craft an item beautiful enough to earn the favor of the gods themselves. |
| 5 | Someone stole one of my most prized creations. One day, I will make them pay. |
| 6 | I forge my craft for those who need my help. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | My blood boils with the heat of the forge at any provocation. |
| 2 | I have little respect for anyone who has no marks in their armor. |
| 3 | I care more about my craft and creations than about those around me. |
| 4 | My work is never good enough, there's always room for improvement. |
| 5 | If you pay the price, the weapon is yours. I don't care how you use it. |
| 6 | I’d rather eat my hammer than admit when I’m wrong. |
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