Jobs for Fantasy Characters

scc · 12-19-2015, 11:52 PM

OK, adventurers in Fantasy settings probably aren't going to be smiths or other members of Guilds, excepting possibly wizardly ones and it would be impossible for the to be farmers. They might merchants, but I figure the majority of them are going to be transient laborers of some kind, mainly farm hands I'm guessing, although journeyman artisans might be an option.

With all of that in mind, what are the on and off seasons for the various jobs that adventurers might take between pillaging dungeons, or more likely when is there no work for them so that they decide to pillage dungeons?

Phantasm · 12-20-2015, 12:12 AM

Barbarians, Druids, and Scouts I can see being caravan guides or hunter/trapper types.

Clerics, Druids, and maybe Holy Warriors I can see tending to their other holy duties: acting as doctors, spiritual guides, etc.

Knights, Martial Artists, and Swashbucklers may hire themselves out as muscle for other groups. Along with Clerics and Holy Warriors, they may decide to just hold up in a monastery of sorts honing their skills.

Thieves can make a killing selling their services as security specialists, testing and improving the security of nobles, merchant princes, and robber barons.

~~Peter Knutsen~~ · 12-20-2015, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scc

OK, adventurers in Fantasy settings probably aren't going to be smiths or other members of Guilds, excepting possibly wizardly ones and it would be impossible for the to be farmers.

They can all get jobs during harvest time, although the scrawniest-looking ones of them might get offered lower-than-standard pay.

scc · 12-20-2015, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Knutsen

They can all get jobs during harvest time, although the scrawniest-looking ones of them might get offered lower-than-standard pay.

That would cover Spring and Summer Breaks in the US, which isn't THAT much time. Fruit harvest would probably be summer/autumn, along with vegetable harvest, right? But those are only 2-3 weeks long each.

Oh, and I forgot to say this before, but I'll need date ranges, I want to line all this up

(E) · 12-20-2015, 03:48 AM

One type of job that is available more than most other jobs is the type of job that no one else wants to do.

Animal handling jobs tend to be in different parts of the calender to the horticultural ones.

Pre winter is slaughter time. Food preservation of all kinds is big in autumn.

I've heard of fishermen tarring sheep on the northern Scottish island pre winter.

Anyone with leadership skills might find work managing a group of seasonal workers.

Horse skills and animal handling could mean drover work. Which is light in summer and busy in autumn.

Date ranges can be a bit tricky with seasonal work, more so if the party is mobile.

Winter may be the pillaging season if the adventurers can travel. . .

Culture20 · 12-20-2015, 05:40 AM

Vikings, a classic style of adventurer, were mostly farmers and traders who occasionally also raided.
Traveling smiths existed, and traveling farriers still exist. Either would make a good core for a group ("I need strong guards and a couple apprentices"). The Dragonlance "Heroes of the Lance" were brought together for Flint's smithing business.
You can work nearly any medieval job into an adventuring lifestyle if you work hard enough at it.

whswhs · 12-20-2015, 06:52 AM

GURPS Fantasy actually has a short list of job descriptions.

Donny Brook · 12-20-2015, 08:24 AM

Formatting is a disaster, but here is the Table of Contents from a .pdf called GURPS Folks (not an official SJ publication).

. . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Judge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Potter . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Actor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Clothworker . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Laborer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Priest . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Alchemist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Lawyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Professor . . . . . . . . . 39
Animal Handler . . . . . . . . . . .5 Concubine . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Leatherworker . . . . . . .27 Huntsman/Ranger .39
Apothecary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Cook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . 27 Royal Advisor . . . . . 40
Apprentice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Courtesan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Majordomo . . . . . . . . .28 Ruler . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Architect/Master Builder. . .6 Courtier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Masseur . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Sailor . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Armorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Diplomat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Merchant . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Scavenger . . . . . . . . .41
Artisan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Diver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Messenger . . . . . . . . . . 29 Scholar . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Diviner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Midwife . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Scrivener . . . . . . . . . 42
Astronomer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Domestic Servant . . . . . . . .19 Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Shaman . . . . . . . . . . 42
Athlete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Miner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Feudal Nobleman . . . . . . . . 20 Minstrel . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Soldier . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Barbarian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Firefighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Monk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Squire . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Barber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Fisherman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Mortician . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Storyteller . . . . . . . . 45
Barkeep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Gardner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Mourner . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Street Kid . . . . . . . . . 45
Barmaid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Gatherer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Noblewoman . . . . . . . 33 Sycophant . . . . . . . .46
Beekeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Government Inspector . . . 22 Nurse/Wet Nurse . . . . 33 Tax Collector . . . . . . 46
Beggar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Guildmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Teamster . . . . . . . . . 46
Boatman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Herald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Palace Eunuch . . . . . . 34 Thatcher . . . . . . . . . .47
Brewer/Distiller/Vintner . . .12 Herder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Pariah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Tinker . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Brothel Keeper . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Hermit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Peasant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Torturer . . . . . . . . . .48
Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Hunter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Perfumer . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Tour Guide . . . . . . . .48
Bureaucrat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Innkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Philosopher . . . . . . . . . 36 Town Crier . . . . . . . .49
Butcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Interpreter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Physician . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Vendor . . . . . . . . . . .49
Caravan Leader . . . . . . . . . . .14 Jailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Pilgrim . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Vermin Catcher . . . 49
Cartographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Jester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Policeman . . . . . . . . . . 37 Woodcutter . . . . . . .50
Charioteer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Jeweler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Politician . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Writer . . . . . . . . . . . .50

jason taylor · 12-20-2015, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Culture20

Vikings, a classic style of adventurer, were mostly farmers and traders who occasionally also raided.

Similar characters were known in other cultures-Vikings were just famous for their wide range and frequency.

korbeau · 12-20-2015, 09:44 AM

I used to ask this question in my DF game and I find this little PDF on warehouse23:

http://www.warehouse23.com/products/100-professions

Only 2$ and you have 100 medieval professions with important skill, salary, if they're seasonal, uncommon, ect... It's not "official Gurps related" but it's on Warehouse23 - I consider it part of my Gurps Library.

12-19-2015, 11:52 PM	#1
scc Join Date: Mar 2013	Jobs for Fantasy Characters OK, adventurers in Fantasy settings probably aren't going to be smiths or other members of Guilds, excepting possibly wizardly ones and it would be impossible for the to be farmers. They might merchants, but I figure the majority of them are going to be transient laborers of some kind, mainly farm hands I'm guessing, although journeyman artisans might be an option. With all of that in mind, what are the on and off seasons for the various jobs that adventurers might take between pillaging dungeons, or more likely when is there no work for them so that they decide to pillage dungeons?

12-20-2015, 12:12 AM	#2
Phantasm Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the road again...	Re: Jobs for Fantasy Characters Barbarians, Druids, and Scouts I can see being caravan guides or hunter/trapper types. Clerics, Druids, and maybe Holy Warriors I can see tending to their other holy duties: acting as doctors, spiritual guides, etc. Knights, Martial Artists, and Swashbucklers may hire themselves out as muscle for other groups. Along with Clerics and Holy Warriors, they may decide to just hold up in a monastery of sorts honing their skills. Thieves can make a killing selling their services as security specialists, testing and improving the security of nobles, merchant princes, and robber barons. __________________ "Life ... is an Oreo cookie." - J'onn J'onzz, 1991 "But mom, I don't wanna go back in the dungeon!" The GURPS Marvel Universe Reboot Project A-G, H-R, and S-Z, and its not-a-wiki-really web adaptation. Ranoc, a Muskets-and-Magery Renaissance Fantasy Setting

12-20-2015, 03:48 AM	#5
(E) Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: New Zealand.	Re: Jobs for Fantasy Characters One type of job that is available more than most other jobs is the type of job that no one else wants to do. Animal handling jobs tend to be in different parts of the calender to the horticultural ones. Pre winter is slaughter time. Food preservation of all kinds is big in autumn. I've heard of fishermen tarring sheep on the northern Scottish island pre winter. Anyone with leadership skills might find work managing a group of seasonal workers. Horse skills and animal handling could mean drover work. Which is light in summer and busy in autumn. Date ranges can be a bit tricky with seasonal work, more so if the party is mobile. Winter may be the pillaging season if the adventurers can travel. . . __________________ Waiting for inspiration to strike...... And spending too much time thinking about farming for RPGs Contributor to Citadel at Nordvörn Last edited by (E); 12-20-2015 at 03:55 AM.

12-20-2015, 05:40 AM	#6
Culture20 Join Date: Feb 2014	Re: Jobs for Fantasy Characters Vikings, a classic style of adventurer, were mostly farmers and traders who occasionally also raided. Traveling smiths existed, and traveling farriers still exist. Either would make a good core for a group ("I need strong guards and a couple apprentices"). The Dragonlance "Heroes of the Lance" were brought together for Flint's smithing business. You can work nearly any medieval job into an adventuring lifestyle if you work hard enough at it.

12-20-2015, 06:52 AM	#7
whswhs Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lawrence, KS	Re: Jobs for Fantasy Characters GURPS Fantasy actually has a short list of job descriptions. __________________ Bill Stoddard I don't think we're in Oz any more.

12-20-2015, 08:24 AM	#8
Donny Brook Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Snoopy's basement	Re: Jobs for Fantasy Characters Formatting is a disaster, but here is the Table of Contents from a .pdf called GURPS Folks (not an official SJ publication). . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Judge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Potter . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Actor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Clothworker . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Laborer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Priest . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Alchemist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Lawyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Professor . . . . . . . . . 39 Animal Handler . . . . . . . . . . .5 Concubine . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Leatherworker . . . . . . .27 Huntsman/Ranger .39 Apothecary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Cook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . 27 Royal Advisor . . . . . 40 Apprentice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Courtesan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Majordomo . . . . . . . . .28 Ruler . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Architect/Master Builder. . .6 Courtier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Masseur . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Sailor . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Armorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Diplomat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Merchant . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Scavenger . . . . . . . . .41 Artisan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Diver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Messenger . . . . . . . . . . 29 Scholar . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Diviner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Midwife . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Scrivener . . . . . . . . . 42 Astronomer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Domestic Servant . . . . . . . .19 Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Shaman . . . . . . . . . . 42 Athlete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Miner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Feudal Nobleman . . . . . . . . 20 Minstrel . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Soldier . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Barbarian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Firefighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Monk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Squire . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Barber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Fisherman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Mortician . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Storyteller . . . . . . . . 45 Barkeep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Gardner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Mourner . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Street Kid . . . . . . . . . 45 Barmaid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Gatherer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Noblewoman . . . . . . . 33 Sycophant . . . . . . . .46 Beekeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Government Inspector . . . 22 Nurse/Wet Nurse . . . . 33 Tax Collector . . . . . . 46 Beggar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Guildmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Teamster . . . . . . . . . 46 Boatman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Herald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Palace Eunuch . . . . . . 34 Thatcher . . . . . . . . . .47 Brewer/Distiller/Vintner . . .12 Herder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Pariah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Tinker . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Brothel Keeper . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Hermit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Peasant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Torturer . . . . . . . . . .48 Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Hunter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Perfumer . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Tour Guide . . . . . . . .48 Bureaucrat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Innkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Philosopher . . . . . . . . . 36 Town Crier . . . . . . . .49 Butcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Interpreter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Physician . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Vendor . . . . . . . . . . .49 Caravan Leader . . . . . . . . . . .14 Jailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Pilgrim . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Vermin Catcher . . . 49 Cartographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Jester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Policeman . . . . . . . . . . 37 Woodcutter . . . . . . .50 Charioteer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Jeweler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Politician . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Writer . . . . . . . . . . . .50

12-20-2015, 09:44 AM	#10
korbeau Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: St-Basile-Le-Grand, Qc	Re: Jobs for Fantasy Characters I used to ask this question in my DF game and I find this little PDF on warehouse23: http://www.warehouse23.com/products/100-professions Only 2$ and you have 100 medieval professions with important skill, salary, if they're seasonal, uncommon, ect... It's not "official Gurps related" but it's on Warehouse23 - I consider it part of my Gurps Library.