Smuggler (Any Race)

The waterways are not just a place of traffic for military or for trade. Many less....savory and more...shady folk use the waterways for various things and people to move them around to places they normally could not due to.....a....let us call it conflict of interest between yourself and the authorities.

Most trade is taxed both legally by tolls and various border rules and tariffs and other such things. Besides this, bandits, highwaymen, protection rackets, and other such things as well as extortion at toll stations and town gates and the like. Many smugglers see themselves as charitable helpers. Merchants pay less taxes and fees, here go meaning the customers pay less, merchants make more profit, and morally....flexible persons in positions of authority take a cut as well. It takes experience, savvy and skill to navigate the increasingly complex structures of authority and overlapping securities meant to stop such activities, but smugglers take the risk to support themselves and their families.

Smugglers come in all forms and walks, from locals hustling minor amounts of illegal goods, smugglers aiding nobles and others in evading taxes and fees on bulk goods, or high value items. Master Smugglers are highly sought after in this business, but are generally only fiscally justified for more serious contraband, such as large amounts of illegal substances, or stolen goods. Smuggler Kings are legendary figures believed to be more ghosts or legends or rumors, but for those who know, they are whom you hire when discovery of what, or whom, you are moving, likely means death for yourself and any whom were involved.

Role: Smugglers are stealthy folk, who know all the hidden routes and other such useful things to know. Who to bribe, how much to bribe, what spots to avoid, what spots are safe, and other such things. They can also hold their own in a fight, but that is not their preference of course.

Career

Qualifications

Decide to engage in such a life of crime

Career Progression

CAREER CHARACTERISTIC ADVANCEMENT SCHEME

WS	BS	Str	T	I	Ag	Dex	Int	WP	Fel
				2	1	1	3	1	4

CAREER PATH OUTLINES

TIER 1: Local Runner: Copper-2
Skills: Athletics, Bribery, Cool, Consume Alcohol, Row, Sail, Stealth (Rural or Urban), Swim
Talents: Criminal, Fisherman, Strider (Marshes), Strong Back
Trappings: Large Sack, Mask or Scarves, Tinderbox, Storm Lantern and Oil

TIER 2: Smuggler: Copper-3
Skills: Haggle, Charm, Gossip, Lore (Local), Melee (Basic), Perception, Secret Signs (Smuggler)
Talents: Dealmaker, Etiquette (Criminals), Waterman, Very Strong
Trappings: 2 Barrels, Hand Weapon, Sleeved Gambeson Tunic, Row Boat

TIER 3: Master Smuggler: Copper-5
Skills: Evaluate, Intimidate, Intuition, Lore (Waterways)
Talents: Briber, Fearless (Coast Guard), Pilot, Strong Swimmer
Trappings: Local Runner, Speedy Boat

TIER 4: Smuggler King: Silver-2
Skills: Language (Any), Leadership
Talents: Kingpin, Savvy, Strider (Coastal), Sea Legs
Trappings: Disguise Kit, Small Fleet of Boats

Payment & Reimbursement

Smugglers generally are small time folk, working small, semi safe routes avoiding local authorities. This is to allow many jobs finished in short times to keep rates competitive. They start at Copper-2 but some eventually engage in far more lengthy and dangerous jobs ascending up to Silver-2 through four tiers of their career.

Other Benefits

Criminal underworld contacts of all kind, plenty of hidden and forgotten routes, and most importantly, anonymity unless you've been caught before. Your reputation isn't anonymous but unless you go out of the way to be obvious, one must assume you are careful to avoid being easily identified by authorities.

Perception

Purpose

Movement of goods or people avoiding taxes and tolls

Social Status

Though seen as criminals by the law, the idea that some see themselves as charitable entrepreneurs isn't necessarily wrong, and indeed, sometimes the common folk may see them as exactly such.

Demographics

You will find folk of every walk of life and every race practicing this craft.

History

Given the sheer job description it is not exactly a documented craft

Operations

Tools

Sack
Mask
Scarf
Boats
Lantern
Weapons
Armor
Disguise Kit

Materials

Disguises
Oil
Tinderbox

Workplace

The waterways of Valerick are known to be dangerous, but most do not know truly how dangerous they can be. Most whom work them work with a crew or team, and during high traffic times and on high traffic waterways. Smugglers are not at all like this, they travel alone or maybe in pairs, they work at night, during low traffic and on little travelled routes.

Provided Services

Moving goods and people whilst avoiding tolls, inspections and taxes/tariffs.

Dangers & Hazards

Everything you can imagine and then some. Including the law.

Type

Transportation

Demand

Low to Moderate

Legality

Absolutely illegal, and can have harsh punishments.