When creating a fantasy world, professions and careers of your characters can bring it to life. Each profession offers a unique set of skills, backgrounds, and possibilities for your story.
If you're writing your novel and building a town, designing a new campaign, or developing characters, the professions in your world can define your setting’s culture, economy, and even the power dynamics within your realm.
Combat and Adventuring Professions
These are the backbone of most RPGs, centered on physical prowess, magical abilities, and daring quests. You can find a lot of inspiration in medieval times.
Warrior
The quintessential fighter, often skilled in swordplay, archery, and other martial techniques. Warriors are typically found on the front lines of combat, whether on a battlefield or in dungeon crawls.
Knight
An elite warrior, often with a strong sense of honor and loyalty, knights may serve noble houses or protect villages. Their skills often include heavy armor and mounted combat.
Barbarian
Known for their wild, untamed nature, barbarians rely on strength and rage to fuel their attacks. They may come from remote tribes or wild landscapes, offering a rugged edge to any party.
Ranger
Rangers are skilled hunters and survivalists, often with expertise in archery, tracking, and living off the land. Many rangers are solitary figures or work in small teams to protect forests or borders.
Rogue
Rogues are masters of stealth, trickery, and agility. Whether they’re thieves, assassins, or spies, they excel at sneaking, sabotage, and using finesse over brute force.
Paladin
A holy warrior who combines martial prowess with divine magic, paladins are often seen as protectors of the innocent, fighting evil with a sword in one hand and sacred spells in the other.
Monk
Monks rely on their discipline, unarmed combat skills, and spiritual power. Often trained in isolated monasteries, they use their body as a weapon and possess high agility, speed, and sometimes mystic abilities.
Druid
A protector of nature, druids have a deep connection to the land. They can shapeshift into animals, summon elemental forces, or command the power of plants and animals in battle.
Magic and Mystical Professions
These characters are experts in the arcane arts, whether drawing upon divine power, elemental forces, or forbidden knowledge. Just remember it's important to know the kind of magic you want to use in your story!
Wizard
The obvious wizard ! Masters of arcane magic, wizards study the world’s secrets and wield powerful spells. They often have extensive training in spellcasting, and their power grows with the acquisition of magical knowledge. They can be linked to mythical creatures as well.
Sorcerer
Unlike wizards, sorcerers are born with innate magical ability, often tied to their bloodline or a unique event in their past. They tend to be more instinctive with magic and have a stronger connection to raw magical energy.
Warlock
Warlocks make pacts with otherworldly beings to gain their magical powers. These pacts can be with fiends, fey, or even celestial beings, and often involve some sort of dark or mysterious bargain.
Cleric
Clerics are holy magic users who derive their power from deities or divine forces. They often serve religious orders, healing the sick, smiting undead, and using their magic to aid others in battle.
Necromancer
Practitioners of dark magic, necromancers specialize in raising the dead, controlling spirits, and manipulating life forces. They can summon skeletons, command zombies, and use dark rituals to weaken enemies.
Bard
Bards are magic users who weave their spells through music, performance, and charm. They are versatile characters who can inspire allies, confuse enemies, and have access to a variety of magical talents.
Alchemist
Alchemists are scholars of transmutation, potions, and elemental magic. They can craft powerful elixirs, create explosive concoctions, or even transform materials into gold (if they’re lucky).
Enchanter
Enchanters specialize in imbuing objects with magical properties. From weapon enhancements to enchanted jewelry, they can create powerful magical items or place curses on their enemies.
Crafting and Trade Professions
These professions focus on creating goods, maintaining infrastructure, or running businesses that keep the economy moving.
Blacksmith
A skilled artisan working with metals, blacksmiths create weapons, armor, and tools. A blacksmith’s forge is a central location in any town or city, vital for both military and civilian needs.
Tailor
Tailors craft clothing, armor, and accessories from various materials. In fantasy worlds, they can also create enchanted garments or special cloaks, often designed for comfort, style, or magical protection.
Carpenter
Essential in both construction and the creation of tools, furniture, and structures, carpenters are invaluable in any settlement. They might also specialize in crafting wooden weapons like bows or staves.
Jeweler
Jewelers work with precious stones and metals to create items of beauty and power. They can craft magical artifacts, rings with protection spells, or simply fine jewelry to be worn by nobility.
Merchant
Merchants are traders who deal in goods, from food and spices to exotic magical items. They may specialize in specific types of goods and could be a source of both wealth and intrigue in your world. They travel a lot so knowing your fantasy travel distances can be very useful.
Tanner
Tanner professionals process leather and hide into durable materials for armor, clothing, and accessories. Their work might also involve crafting special items like saddlebags or enchanted leather gear.
Cook
Cooks and chefs create meals that sustain adventurers and soldiers alike. In a fantasy world, they may even know how to craft enchanted foods or brew concoctions that boost health, stamina, or other attributes.
Engineer
Engineers in a fantasy world may craft complex machines, traps, or structures. From siege weapons to transportation systems, their skills in mechanics and invention can influence the fate of entire battles or cities.
Support and Social Professions
These professions focus on support roles that help guide, protect, or provide vital services for others.
Healer
Healers are experts in medicine, herbology, and magic, using their knowledge to tend to the sick and wounded. While often associated with divine magic, some healers focus purely on natural remedies.
Spy
Spies gather information through stealth, subterfuge, and deception. They infiltrate enemy factions or noble courts, gathering intelligence and playing a dangerous game of secrets and lies.
Diplomat
Diplomats act as negotiators, working to maintain peace, forge alliances, or resolve conflicts between different factions. Their success lies in their ability to charm, persuade, and manipulate.
Priest
Priests are religious figures who serve temples and worship deities. They often provide spiritual guidance, perform rites, and serve as the moral compass of their communities.
Farmer
Farmers work the land, growing crops and raising animals to feed the population. Their role is vital in sustaining communities, and in many RPG worlds, their hard work is the foundation of any economy.
Explorer
Explorers are adventurers who chart unknown territories, discovering new lands, civilizations, or hidden secrets. They are often driven by curiosity, fame, or treasure. If your fantasy world has an explorer, then you definitely need a map!
Investigator
Investigators (or as we can also call it, detectives) specialize in solving mysteries, tracking criminals, or uncovering hidden truths. They can be detectives, bounty hunters, or simply curious minds working within a larger political system.
Ultimate Worldbuilding Template for Fiction Writers
