Dungeons and Dragons doesn’t have a comprehensive list of professions in the way that some other RPGs do. Instead, the game focuses on character classes, which determine a character’s abilities, skills, and powers. However, there are some professions that can be adapted into character concepts, and many classes have skills and abilities that overlap with real-world professions. Here is a list of DnD professions and their descriptions, organized into categories:
Artisan and crafting professions
- Alchemist: A practitioner of alchemy who can create potions, oils, and other magical substances. They are able to extract essences from plants and animals to create magical remedies.
- Armorer: A skilled blacksmith who can craft and repair armor. They work with metal to create armor pieces that can protect a character from attacks.
- Carpenter: A woodworker who can craft furniture, buildings, and other wooden items. They are skilled at carving and assembling wooden pieces to create functional items.
- Jeweler: An artisan who can craft jewelry and precious gems. They are experts in cutting, polishing and setting gems and creating decorative pieces.
- Leatherworker: A skilled craftsman who can work with leather to create clothing, armor, and other items. They are able to create protective clothing, footwear and leather accessories.
- Mason: A stoneworker who can build structures, walls, and other stone-based items. They are skilled at cutting and shaping stone to create walls and buildings.
- Smith: A blacksmith who can craft weapons, tools, and other metal-based items. They are able to craft metal weapons, tools and decorative items such as candle holders.
- Tailor: A seamstress who can create clothing, armor, and other cloth-based items. They are skilled at designing and sewing functional and decorative garments.
Artistic and performance professions
- Actor: A performer who can act, impersonate, and deceive others. They are able to use mimicry and acting skills to take on various roles and personalities.
- Artist: An individual who can paint, sculpt, or draw works of art. They are skilled at creating visual representations of people, places, and things.
- Bard: A musician who can use magic to inspire and enchant others. They are able to use magical abilities to inspire allies and demoralize foes, as well as cast spells to aid in battle.
- Dancer: A performer who uses dance to tell stories and entertain others. They are skilled at using movement and expression to communicate and entertain.
- Jester: A performer who uses humor and wit to entertain others. They are skilled at telling jokes and performing comedy routines to entertain crowds.
- Musician: An individual who can play a musical instrument and create music. They are skilled at playing musical instruments and creating melodies to entertain or inspire.
- Poet: A writer who creates poems and verse. They are able to create written works that convey emotion, tell stories, or inspire.
- Singer: An individual who can sing and create songs. They are skilled at using their voice to create harmonies and melodies that entertain and inspire.
Academic and intellectual professions
- Archivist: A librarian or record-keeper who can research and catalog information. They are skilled at gathering and organizing information for future reference.
- Historian: An individual who studies and documents history. They are able to research and document past events and make connections to the present.
- Linguist: An expert in languages and communication. They are able to understand and speak multiple languages and may be able to decipher ancient texts or decipher codes.
- Mathematician: An individual who studies and uses mathematical principles. They are skilled at performing complex calculations and solving problems through logic.
- Philosopher: An individual who studies and writes about philosophy and ethics. They are able to think critically about ethical issues and debate complex philosophical questions.
- Scholar: An individual who studies and has knowledge in a specific field or subject. They are skilled at researching and acquiring knowledge in a particular field.
- Scientist: An individual who studies and experiments with the natural world and its laws. They are able to perform experiments and create hypotheses based on observations and data analysis.
Medical and healing professions
- Apothecary: A pharmacist who creates and dispenses medicine. They are skilled at creating potions and remedies to treat ailments and conditions.
- Chirurgeon: A physician or surgeon who performs medical procedures. They are able to treat injuries and perform surgical procedures to heal characters.
- Healer: An individual who can use magic to heal injuries and illnesses. They are able to use magical abilities to heal wounds and cure diseases.
- Herbalist: An individual who can use plants and herbs to create remedies and medicine. They are able to create natural remedies and treatments for ailments.
- Nurse: An individual who cares for and treats patients. They are able to provide basic care and first aid to injured characters.
- Veterinarian: A healer who specializes in caring for animals. They are able to treat and care for animals, such as horses or familiars.
Merchant and trade professions
- Art Merchant: An individual who buys and sells artwork. They are skilled at appraising, buying and selling fine art and other artistic creations.
- Banker: An individual who manages and invests money for others. They are able to manage finances, make investments and advise clients on financial matters.
- Farmer: An individual who grows crops or raises animals for food or materials. They are skilled at managing crops, raising animals, and harvesting resources.
- Merchant: An individual who buys and sells goods for profit. They are able to negotiate prices and trade goods to earn a profit.
- Sailor: An individual who navigates and operates ships for trade and transportation. They are skilled at navigating the seas and transporting goods or passengers via ship.
- Trader: An individual who buys and sells goods or services for profit. They are able to negotiate prices and trade goods to earn a profit.
Military and combat professions
- Guard: A member of a city or castle guard who maintains security and order. They are skilled at maintaining order, protecting people and upholding the law.
- Knight: A mounted warrior who pledges allegiance to a lord or kingdom. They are skilled at fighting on horseback and are known for their chivalry and honor.
- Mercenary: A soldier who fights for payment or reward. They are skilled at fighting in battles and are often hired by wealthy individuals or organizations.
- Scout: An individual who gathers information and surveys terrain. They are skilled at reconnaissance and gathering information about the enemy.
- Soldier: A member of an organized military force who fights in battles. They are skilled at fighting on the front lines of battles and following orders from superiors.
Service and labor professions
- Cook: An individual who prepares food for others. They are skilled at cooking and preparing food for others to eat.
- Laborer: An individual who performs physical labor for wages. They are able to perform manual labor, such as construction or digging.
- Maid: An individual who cleans and maintains living spaces for others. They are skilled at cleaning and maintaining living spaces.
- Messenger: An individual who carries messages or packages from one location to another. They are skilled at delivering messages or packages quickly and efficiently.
- Servant: An individual who performs various tasks and duties for others. They are skilled at performing a variety of tasks, such as cleaning or cooking, for others.
Technical and mechanical professions
- Architect: An individual who designs and oversees the construction of buildings and structures. They are skilled at designing and overseeing construction projects.
- Engineer: An individual who designs and builds machines, engines, and other mechanical devices. They are skilled at designing and building complex machinery.
- Mechanic: An individual who repairs and maintains mechanical devices and equipment. They are skilled at fixing and maintaining mechanical devices, such as weapons or vehicles.
- Surveyor: An individual who measures and maps terrain and land features. They are skilled at mapping out terrain and providing information about land features.
- Tinker: An inventor and craftsman who creates and repairs small mechanical devices. They are skilled at creating and repairing small gadgets and machines.
Miscellaneous professions
- Bounty Hunter: An individual who tracks and captures fugitives for reward or payment. They are skilled at tracking down and capturing wanted criminals or fugitives.
- Detective: An individual who investigates and solves crimes and mysteries. They are skilled at gathering evidence, interviewing suspects, and solving mysteries.
- Explorer: An individual who travels to unknown or uncharted regions to discover new places and resources. They are skilled at navigating through uncharted territories and discovering new places and resources.
- Fortune Teller: An individual who predicts future events through divination and fortune-telling methods. They are skilled at using divination methods, such as tarot cards or astrology, to predict future events.
- Gambler: An individual who takes risks for potential rewards in games of chance or betting. They are skilled at playing games of chance or betting on the outcome of events.
- Thief: An individual who steals from others for personal gain. They are skilled at picking locks, sneaking around undetected, and stealing valuable items.
