Would artificers fit in the Forgotten Realms setting?

Hi there, Midgardians!

So I've always said that the Artificer class does not fit in the Forgotten Realms setting, but am I right? Do they fit? Do they even exist? Would it be weird to play as an Artificer and walk the streets of Baldur's Gate, for example? 

How would you make they fit?

Thanks in advance.

Artificers totally can fit in Toril, especially folk from Lantan. While I don’t see them as ubiquitous like in Eberron, I can see one in Baldur’s Gate nomproblem.

What makes you say they do not fit?

Weren’t followers of Gond into firearms and inventions?

The thing is, there are almost always ways to reflavor classes and subclasses to fit a particular setting. If you don't want the level of technology and industry that an Eberron-style artificer implies, then just tweak it to lean more magical. Maybe the "inventions" are just magic gems or souped-up runes powering items or something along those lines

With FR specifically, there's always the option to just say it's related to old Netherese tech/knowledge that you unearthed somehow, or as was said above, a background connected to Lantan

Quote from Myastan_Torinn >>

Artificers totally can fit in Toril, especially folk from Lantan. While I don’t see them as ubiquitous like in Eberron, I can see one in Baldur’s Gate nomproblem.

What makes you say they do not fit?

Well, I see Artificers as a "futuristic" class, with traits that don't really fit in the "Medieval" fantasy style of the Forgotten Realms. That said, I always thought the best place for Forgotten Realms artificers would be Halruaa, given that that region is similar to Eberron with its skyships and all that futuristic stuff.  Lantan is a really good option! ❤️

I'm asking this because in my next campaign I'm gonna allow my players to play an Artificer, but I wasn't sure how I could make it fit in that setting.

All ideas are more than welcome.

Thanks for your answers, by the way.

Quote from ArmorStorm >>

Weren’t followers of Gond into firearms and inventions?

That sounds interesting! My point is, would Artificer firearms and inventions fit in the Forgotten Realms? Aren't they too futuristic? 🤔 (just wondering, I must be absolutely wrong, since I don't know much about artificers).

Quote from AntonSirius >>

The thing is, there are almost always ways to reflavor classes and subclasses to fit a particular setting. If you don't want the level of technology and industry that an Eberron-style artificer implies, then just tweak it to lean more magical. Maybe the "inventions" are just magic gems or souped-up runes powering items or something along those lines

With FR specifically, there's always the option to just say it's related to old Netherese tech/knowledge that you unearthed somehow, or as was said above, a background connected to Lantan

Yeah, that's true. The thing I'm most afraid of is all the advanced technology that defines the Artificer class, ans how I can make it fit in the Forgotten Realms setting. 🤔

The FR, at least the Sword Coast, is actually more mid-Renaissance Era in terms of political and technological level.  Airships and firearms have both been part of the setting since its debut, WotC just chose to downplay them when 3rd Edition rolled around.

Quote from 6thLyranGuard >>

The FR, at least the Sword Coast, is actually more mid-Renaissance Era in terms of political and technological level.  Airships and firearms have both been part of the setting since its debut, WotC just chose to downplay them when 3rd Edition rolled around.

Yeah, Halruaa is one big example of that, isn't it?

Even official books haven't been all that strict about such things. For instance, Rime of the Frostmaiden is set in the Forgotten Realms, but includes laser rifles.

Artificers are just magic item users. If your setting has magic items, Artificers fit just fine.

They don't have to be steampunk, if that's your concern - they're just wizards who love magic items and can use armor.

The idea of artificers as futuristic has always puzzled me. Nothing about them except those stupid DnD memes about making nukes ever suggest they are, and that's an exaggeration of how their crafting and magic works anyway. Rock gnomes are the typical go to examples of artificers in FR anyway.

Quote from RawrGawr335 >>

The idea of artificers as futuristic has always puzzled me. Nothing about them except those stupid DnD memes about making nukes ever suggest they are, and that's an exaggeration of how their crafting and magic works anyway. Rock gnomes are the typical go to examples of artificers in FR anyway.

I think it's because of the way they are portrayed in Eberron.

Quote from JaimeVonCarstein >>

Quote from RawrGawr335 >>

The idea of artificers as futuristic has always puzzled me. Nothing about them except those stupid DnD memes about making nukes ever suggest they are, and that's an exaggeration of how their crafting and magic works anyway. Rock gnomes are the typical go to examples of artificers in FR anyway.

 

I think it's because of the way they are portrayed in Eberron.

They aren’t typically depicted that way in Eberron, either (except for some very recent depictions). In Eberron, they’re more akin to magical artisans/craftspeople.

Quote from RawrGawr335 >>

The idea of artificers as futuristic has always puzzled me. 

Depends on what you mean by "futuristic". Eberron has trains and guns and robots, and artificers go hand in hand with that level of tech. That's pretty "futuristic" compared to a typical high fantasy setting

Quote from Myastan_Torinn >>

Quote from JaimeVonCarstein >>

Quote from RawrGawr335 >>

The idea of artificers as futuristic has always puzzled me. Nothing about them except those stupid DnD memes about making nukes ever suggest they are, and that's an exaggeration of how their crafting and magic works anyway. Rock gnomes are the typical go to examples of artificers in FR anyway.

 

I think it's because of the way they are portrayed in Eberron.

 

They aren’t typically depicted that way in Eberron, either (except for some very recent depictions). In Eberron, they’re more akin to magical artisans/craftspeople.

I'm talking about the 5e Eberron settings they've published.

This is one of the Artificer's sublcasses:

They look like advanced technology (at least to me).

Doesn't look as advanced as the warforged to me, especially the titans and colossi.

You are definitely not alone in feeling that way, but canonically, yes, artificers do exist in the Forgotten Realms, and they can fit quite well. The misconception usually stems from the class being introduced in Eberron, a setting defined by magitek, widespread steampunk-esque infrastructure, and lightning trains. By contrast, the Forgotten Realms is a classic high-fantasy kitchen-sink setting where magic is more ancient, mystical, and traditionally academic or divine. Walking the streets of Baldur’s Gate as an artificer wouldn't break the lore, but it does require shifting how people view your character compared to a citizen of Sharn.

To make an artificer fit natively into Faerûn without feeling like they accidentally stepped out of a sci-fi portal, you simply need to anchor them to existing Realms lore. The island nation of Lantan is the ultimate home for this: a secretive, technologically advanced land populated largely by gnomes who combine advanced engineering, gunpowder, and arcane science. Alternatively, your artificer could be a devout specialist tied to the Church of Gond (the god of craft, invention, and smithing), operating out of the Halls of Wonders in Baldur's Gate or the Gondian workshops in the Lower City. Instead of seeing yourself as a modern "engineer," you are an arcane artisan, a clockwork enthusiast, or a holy inventor turning out localized wonders.

Walking through Baldur’s Gate as an artificer would actually turn very few heads, because the city is already a bustling, eccentric hub of trade and innovation where strange things are a dime a dozen. Gondians tinker openly, Clockwork Horrors occasionally roam, and the Upper City is full of wealthy nobles utilizing magics of all shapes and sizes. As long as your steel defender looks like a brass-and-wood automaton built by a temple apprentice rather than a factory-line robot, you will blend right into the chaotic tapestry of the Sword Coast.

I hope this clears things up :)

Quote from Hawkthedoggo >>

You are definitely not alone in feeling that way, but canonically, yes, artificers do exist in the Forgotten Realms, and they can fit quite well. The misconception usually stems from the class being introduced in Eberron, a setting defined by magitek, widespread steampunk-esque infrastructure, and lightning trains. By contrast, the Forgotten Realms is a classic high-fantasy kitchen-sink setting where magic is more ancient, mystical, and traditionally academic or divine. Walking the streets of Baldur’s Gate as an artificer wouldn't break the lore, but it does require shifting how people view your character compared to a citizen of Sharn.

To make an artificer fit natively into Faerûn without feeling like they accidentally stepped out of a sci-fi portal, you simply need to anchor them to existing Realms lore. The island nation of Lantan is the ultimate home for this: a secretive, technologically advanced land populated largely by gnomes who combine advanced engineering, gunpowder, and arcane science. Alternatively, your artificer could be a devout specialist tied to the Church of Gond (the god of craft, invention, and smithing), operating out of the Halls of Wonders in Baldur's Gate or the Gondian workshops in the Lower City. Instead of seeing yourself as a modern "engineer," you are an arcane artisan, a clockwork enthusiast, or a holy inventor turning out localized wonders.

Walking through Baldur’s Gate as an artificer would actually turn very few heads, because the city is already a bustling, eccentric hub of trade and innovation where strange things are a dime a dozen. Gondians tinker openly, Clockwork Horrors occasionally roam, and the Upper City is full of wealthy nobles utilizing magics of all shapes and sizes. As long as your steel defender looks like a brass-and-wood automaton built by a temple apprentice rather than a factory-line robot, you will blend right into the chaotic tapestry of the Sword Coast.

Amazing answer. Thank you very much for your explanation. Yeah, I also think the Artificer class is many times associated with Eberron, therefore the feeling that it's a "futuristic" class.