Guild Artisan 5e in DND is a person who is skillful and master in a specific type of artistic work. Artisans are not alone and don’t work independently. They have from a Guild of their own and the guild shelters many types of artisans. A guild is like a community that supports and helps of their own type.
This community is the backbone of the mercantile world and an Artisan in a guild becomes part of the guild when he starts his learning under the supervision of a master and when he masters the particular skill then he works as an artisan and becomes part of the guild.
Skill proficiencies: As an artisan, your skills are insight and persuasion.
Tool proficiencies: You are skillful in any one type of artisan’s tool.
Languages: One of your choice.
Equipment: Not only an Artisan tool but also an Artisan must have a letter of introduction from your guild, a set of traveler’s clothes, and a belt pouch of 15 GP.
Guild Business
Either your guild is working in a city in close connection with each other (artisans in the guild be sharing the same trade) or artisans could be working in a loose connection in a much larger area. The business that the Guild will carry out will be decided either by working with the DM or by selecting from guild business. It is like a selection of Criminal specialties.
| D20 | Guild Business |
| 1 | Alchemists and apothecaries |
| 2 | Armorers, locksmiths, and Finesmiths |
| 3 | Brewers, distillers, and vintners |
| 4 | Calligraphers, scribes, and scriveners |
| 5 | Carpenters, roofers, and plasterers |
| 6 | Cartographers, surveyors, and chart-makers |
| 7 | Cobblers and shoemakers |
| 8 | Cooks and bakers |
| 9 | Glassblowers and glaziers |
| 10 | Jewelers and Gemcutters |
| 11 | Leatherworkers, skinners, and tanners |
| 12 | Masons and stonecutters |
| 13 | Painters, limners, and sign-makers |
| 14 | Potters and tile-makers |
| 15 | Shipwrights and sailmakers |
| 16 | Smiths and metal-forgers |
| 17 | Tinkers, pewterers, and casters |
| 18 | Wagon-makers and wheelwrights |
| 19 | Weavers and dyers |
| 20 | Woodcarvers, coopers, and bowyers |
Feature: Guild membership
You will enjoy all the benefits that a member of a guild enjoys; like lodging, food, and getting paid for your funeral as well.
Guildhalls in different towns will provide you the opportunities of meeting with people who share your profession, maybe you can find hirelings and allies as well.
As we know that as an artisan you are not alone your guild will support you in your difficult times and will support you if you are accused of a crime if your crime is justifiable. In addition to it through your guild, you can rise as a powerful political figure and this does not come in handy, you have to donate money or a magic item.
Suggested characteristics
You are a common person in the world but there might be circumstances where you decide to go on an adventure. You are hardworking and passionate about your work but as a being, you are also subjected to sins and wrongdoings.
Personality Trait
| D8 | Personality Trait |
| 1 | I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can’t help it— I am a perfectionist. |
| 2 | I am a snob who looks down on those who can’t appreciate fine art. |
| 3 | I always want to know how things work and what makes people tick. |
| 4 | I am full of witty aphorisms and have a proverb for every occasion. |
| 5 | I am rude to people who lack my commitment to hard work and fair play. |
| 6 | I like to talk at length about my profession. |
| 7 | I don’t part with my money easily and will haggle tirelessly to get the best deal possible. |
| 8 | I am well known for my work, and I want to make sure everyone appreciates it. I’m always taken aback when people haven’t heard of me. |
Ideal
| D6 | Ideal |
| 1 | Community It is the duty of all civilized people to strengthen the bonds of community and the security of civilization. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Generosity My talents were given to me so that I could use them to benefit the world. (Good) |
| 3 | Freedom Everyone should be free to pursue his or her own livelihood. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Greed I am only in it for the money. (Evil) |
| 5 | People I am 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. |
Bond
| D6 | Bond |
| 1 | The workshop where I learned my trade is the most an important place in the world to me. |
| 2 | I created great work for someone and then found them unworthy to receive it. I’m still looking for someone worthy. |
| 3 | I owe my guild a great debt for forging me into the person I am today. |
| 4 | I pursue wealth to secure someone’s love |
| 5 | One day I will return to my guild and prove that I am the greatest artisan of them all. |
| 6 | I will get revenge on the evil forces that destroyed my place of business and ruined my livelihood. |
Flaw
| D6 | Flaw |
| 1 | I will do anything to get my hands on something rare or priceless. |
| 2 | I am quick to assume that someone is trying to cheat me. |
| 3 | No one must ever learn that I once stole money from guild coffers. |
| 4 | I am never satisfied with what I have— I always want more. |
| 5 | I would kill to acquire a noble title. |
| 6 | I am horribly jealous of anyone who can outshine my handiwork. Everywhere I go, I am surrounded by rivals. |
What is Guild Merchant?
A Guild merchant is one who does not do artistic work of his own rather he deals in the work of the others, he sells and trades either with the things formed by an artisan or just raw material. You are also part of a guild but your guild is quite a different guild. Your transportation of goods is carried out by different means of transports and your life is much adventurous than the life of a typical artisan. As a guild merchant, you are proficient with the navigating tools rather than artisans’ tools.
Why roleplay a Guild Artisan background?
Definitely, for those who love to work as a craft man, roleplaying an artisan is their type of thing. Unlike Acolyte, Charlatan, or any other 5e backgrounds. You have a community of your own that stands for you on your rainy days. And in addition to it, you get to enjoy the benefits of a guildhall. With the undaunted support of your guild, you can get a chance of becoming a political figure.
And if you want to spice things up and want some adventure; you could be a Guild Merchant. You will sell goods crafted by other artisans and transport them from city to city and in either case (as an artisan or as a Merchant) you are always supported by your respective guilds.
