Character Skill Ranks

Originally written for my main blog, Realmwright, I figured this draught would probably go down smoother on this, my gaming blog.

*BTW, I found my body part d12 under the couch today. I should have figured the cat would have something to do with its disappearance.

I get email updates from the Hack & Slash blog and this one in particular had a great idea: a class called Artifex (Latin for specialist) instead of "Thief". It got me thinking, what if instead of numeric level [+ class], you went in named ranks?

Just off the top of my head I put together this ranking:

Level 1 = Beginner - you have no particular skill (or business) doing something, you just feel like it on a hunch. You couldn't possibly sell what you've crafted because it will likely break from your own personal use.

Level 2 = Amateur/Newling - you have managed a "successful" go at it without seriously injuring yourself. You might get a hot meal and a roof over your head as payment, but it still won't put any coin in your pocket.

Level 3 = Novice - you won't get laughed at declaring yourself one, but you may not get a lot of takers either. If you can find someone to tutor you, you are an Apprentice. 

Level 4 = Moderate/Mediocre/Middling - other people recognize you for this ability, but you're still nothing special. Save enough coin and in a year's time you might be able to build a forge, shop, etc. so you don't have to work at the kitchen table.

Level 5 = Average/Ordinary - you can get it done and collect some decent coin for doing so. You spend some wages to hang out a shingle (an "open" sign) and hope that people come to do business.

Level 6 = Experienced/Craftsman - you are the guy in town that people come to when they need something done. You don't have to advertise, word-of-mouth gets you referrals. At this level you can apply to guilds/unions. Successful entry usually requires completion of a task, for which payment is acceptance and you level up to Guild Professional. This means that you can generally find work anywhere and if the town has a guild house you can stay there instead of paying for commercial lodging. It can be anywhere from significantly less (30-50%) or completely free.

Level 7 = Professional - someone somewhere else whom you've never met is aware of your handiwork and seeks you out. Maybe they send you a missive to come work for them. If you belong to a guild you are referred to as a Guild Professional. If you are not in a guild, but under the employ of a Master, you are a Journeyman. Guild Professionals and Journeymen cannot hire Apprentices, but an unaffiliated Professional can.

Level 8 = Masterful/Master - maidens swoon at your feet, kings clamor for you to be their court whateverer. It's a cushy gig where you sit back and let the money roll in so you can roll in it. You can have 2 Apprentices at this level, or 1 Professional who shares a percentage of their profit with you. If you don't yet belong to a guild, they try to get you to join to bolster each others' reputation. If you join a guild, you instantly lose any Apprentices/Professional in your employ. A Master holds a high place in their respective guild, but this leads to competition with others of the same rank. If you're brought into a guild, you have lower seniority than existing Masters - hence why they recruited you, bumping them one step closer to the leadership and wealth of being the Guildmaster.
*A note: Guilds can have no more than 3-5 Masters. Generally at the count of 4, 1 will leave to found a new chapter of the guild in another town.

Level 9 = Exceptional/Extraordinary - you get oohs and aahs and mostly name your own price. You are paid handsomely for doing what you excel at. If you belong to a guild the equivalent is Guildmaster.

Level 10 = Phenomenal - it's questioned whether or not you're a mortal because you are near divine in your abilities. Surely this power cannot be wielded by a mere human...orc, elf, whatever. A bonus and/or drawback to this is that if there is a particular god of this realm/skill - let's say smithcraft - they can either bless you as Chosen, or seek to hurt you because they're jealous of the attention you are drawing away from them, i.e. you're Cursed.

Coming on the heels of the above post, Hack & Slack followed up with another awesome addition: Prestige Classes