ARTISAN SKILLS

As noted earlier, all characters in Earthdawn begin the game with one Rank 1 Artisan Skill. Of the three types of skills available in Earthdawn, Artisan Skills are the least used. They serve primarily to help define a character and as a way to prove him or her untainted by the Horrors. Ever since the time when people discovered that those touched by the Horrors could not maintain the discipline to practice an art or craft, every Adept has learned one. Only by constantly practicing his art or craft can an Adept prove that the Horrors have not corrupted his power. Though they rarely do so, characters can use Artisan Skills if the situation calls for it. For example, if a gamemaster decides that a character must create a sculpture or painting in order to advance the story, the character may use the appropriate Artisan Skill to do so.

The Difficulty Number for using Artisan Skills is usually 5 or 7, making it relatively easy for novice characters to make successful Skill Tests. This ease reflects the fact that everyone in Barsaive regularly practices Artisan Skills. Practicing an Artisan Skill, however, does not necessarily make a character an artist. A character whose Artisan Skill is Canvas Painting may paint pictures every other day, but they may well lack the impact of a true artist’s work.

When you choose an Artisan Skill for your character, he also gains the tools necessary to practice that skill. For example, an artist might get carving tools and a magician might get needles and thread. If a player chooses a Craftsman Skill as his character’s Artisan Skill, he gains only those tools he can carry on his person. For example, an Armorer or Blacksmith does not get a smithy, but instead carries hammers, awls, and other small tools of his trade. The gamemaster must approve the tools you choose for your character’s Artisan Skill.

The table below lists common Artisan Skills, some of which are also General Skills and are described earlier in this section. Players may invent any Artisan Skill they please, subject to the gamemaster’s approval. All Artisan Skill step numbers are based on a character’s Charisma step plus the rank of the skill in question.