View source for Publication:Unearthed Arcana/Mercantile Character Background

=== Example Guild Ranks ===

The guilds in medieval European society usually had a simple set of ranks: apprentice, journeyman, and master. Attaining higher rank meant spending years on the job and passing some sort of examination, or in the case of the master, creating a "master piece" that peers judged worthy. In a system with only three ranks, the recognition DC for advancing from apprentice tojourneyman is 26, and DC for advancing from journeyman to master is 30.

If you want more frequent recognition (and thus more guild ranks), set the recognition DC at a constant value of 24 and split each rank into three smaller ranks. Characters begin as apprentices in the third degree, then ascend to second-degree apprentices and first-degree apprentices. Then they become journeymen in the third degree.

Because the game is set in a fantasy world, you may wish to develop more fanciful titles for the guilds you create, especiallt those that are part of nonhuman or otherwise exotic cultures.


{| class="zebra d20"
|+ {{Anchor|Mercantile Background Activities}}
! d% !! Activity !! Class !! Feats !! Skills !! Gear !! Contacts !! Rep !! Recognition
|- 
|01-14 || Caravan Guard || Fighter || [[SRD:Alertness|Alertness]], [[SRD:Point Blank Shot|Point Blank Shot]] || [[SRD:Ride Skill|Ride]], [[SRD:Spot Skill|Spot]], [[SRD:Listen Skill|Listen]] || Armor || Information || +0 || Rank, DC 24
|- 
|15-27 || Broker || Rogue or bard || [[SRD:Investigator|Investigator]], [[SRD:Persuasive|Persuasive]] || [[SRD:Gather Information Skill|Gather Information]], [[SRD:Sense Motive Skill|Sense Motive]], [[SRD:Diplomacy Skill|Diplomacy]], [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge (local)]] || Wondrous item that helps carry loads || Information || +1/2 || -
|- 
|28-40 || Negotiator || Rogue or bard || [[SRD:Negotiator|Negotiator]], [[SRD:Skill Focus|Skill Focus (diplomacy)]] || [[SRD:Diplomacy Skill|Diplomacy]], [[SRD:Sense Motive Skill|Sense Motive]], [[SRD:Bluff Skill|Bluff]], [[SRD:Intimidate Skill|Intimidate]], [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge (local)]] || Wondrous item that aids interaction || Influence || +1/2 || -
|- 
|41-53 || Buyer || Rogue or bard || [[SRD:Diligent|Diligent]], [[SRD:Skill Focus|Skill Focus (appraise)]] || [[SRD:Appraise Skill|Appraise]], [[SRD:Bluff Skill|Bluff]], [[SRD:Sense Motive Skill|Sense Motive]], [[SRD:Craft Skill|Craft (any)]], [[SRD:Diplomacy Skill|Diplomacy]] || Wondrous item with divination aura || Influence || +0 || -
|- 
|54-69 || Traveling merchant || Rogue or sorcerer || [[SRD:Dodge|Dodge]], [[SRD:Mobility|Mobility]] || [[SRD:Diplomacy Skill|Diplomacy]], [[SRD:Sense Motive Skill|Sense Motive]], [[SRD:Appraise Skill|Appraise]], [[SRD:Bluff Skill|Bluff]], [[SRD:Sleight of Hand Skill|Sleight of Hand]] || Wondrous item with illusion aura || Information || +1/2 || -
|- 
|70-83 || Magic-shop owner || Wizard || [[SRD:Brew Potion|Brew Potion]], [[SRD:Craft Magic Arms and Armor|Craft Magic Arms and Armor]] || [[SRD:Spellcraft Skill|Spellcraft]], [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge (arcana)]], [[SRD:Craft Skill|Craft(any)]] || Staff or wand || Skill || +1/2 || -
|- 
|84-100 || Guild official || Rogue or cleric || [[SRD:Leadership|Leadership]], [[SRD:Persuasive|Persuasive]] || [[SRD:Craft Skill|Craft (any)]], [[SRD:Diplomacy Skill|Diplomacy]], [[SRD:Sense Motive Skill|Sense Motive]], [[SRD:Bluff Skill|Bluff]], [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge (local)]] || Item that gives morale effect || Influence || +1 || Rank; see text
|}

{{UA Building Characters Footer}}