Chapter 3 - Determining Careers

Characters play diverse roles that contribute to the depth and complexity of the setting. One key aspect of character development is their career – the purpose they serve in the world beyond their abilities and skills. Whether they wield a sword as a warrior or cast spells as a mage, characters often pursue specific paths to make a living, leave their mark on society, or fulfill their personal goals. In this document, we delve into the concept of careers in worldbuilding and explore how they shape characters and enrich storytelling.
A character's chosen career shapes their identity, motivations, and interactions with the world. It influences their relationships, alliances, and conflicts, as well as their reputation and standing in society. Characters may face moral dilemmas, ethical challenges, or existential crises related to their career choices, adding depth and complexity to their narrative arc.

Defining Careers

A character's career encompasses their occupation, role, or vocation within the world. It goes beyond your selected Descriptor, Focus, or Type and reflects how they interact with society, earn a living, or pursue their ambitions. Careers can vary widely, from noble knights defending their kingdom to roguish thieves navigating the criminal underworld. Each career brings its own challenges, opportunities, and dynamics to the character's journey and theme.

In some countries, one's caste often determines their opportunities and limitations in terms of career choices. Learn more

Step 1 - Choose a Career

Below are common options for Careers in this world. If none appeal to you, feel free to think of something outside of these options.

Step 2 - Making Connections

For a list of factions, see here

Your chosen career serves as your anchor, shaping your interactions, goals, and place in society. Each career offers a unique lens through which you perceive and navigate the world, whether you're a cunning thief prowling the shadowy alleys of Zamora or a skilled alchemist concocting potent elixirs in the depths of Stygia. As you embark on your journey, consider how your career intertwines with the fabric of society and influences your connections to others.
Connections run deeper than mere alliances; they are the threads that weave the fabric of a character's story. A soldier may trace his allegiance to a legendary general, a mentor who taught him the ways of war and instilled in him a sense of honor and duty. A merchant may owe his success to a shrewd business partner, a trusted confidant who navigates the labyrinthine markets of Zamora with cunning and guile. From the humblest slave to the mightiest noble, every adventurer in Hyboria is shaped by the bonds they forge and the choices they make along the way.
For careers tied to specific locations, such as politicians wielding influence in the bustling cities of Aquilonia or nobles holding court in opulent castles, your sphere of influence extends far beyond mere geography. Specify the regions, factions, or domains over which you hold sway, whether it's through political alliances, familial ties, or inherited titles. Your connections define your role within these power structures, shaping your interactions with other players and NPCs alike.
Conversely, those whose careers thrive on the fringes of society, like mercenaries carving out a living on the blood-soaked battlefields of Hyboria or slaves enduring the harsh labor under oppressive masters, find their connections forged in the crucible of hardship and survival. Name the mercenary companies you've fought alongside or the masters whose yoke you once bore, as these affiliations shape your character's motivations, loyalties, and personal vendettas. By delving into the intricacies of your character's connections, you breathe life into their backstory, paving the way for rich narratives and compelling roleplaying experiences in the world of Hyboria.

Step 3 - Consider Motivations

In the realm of Hyboria, motivations are the driving force behind every action, every decision made by adventurers seeking their place in the world. With a chosen career and established connections, players can weave intricate narratives of ambition, revenge, redemption, or survival. A guard, sworn to protect the noble houses of Aquilonia, may be driven by a sense of duty and honor, seeking to uphold the legacy of his forebears and earn glory on the battlefield. Meanwhile, a thief, navigating the treacherous alleys of Shadizar, may be motivated by a thirst for wealth and power, driven by a desire to outmaneuver rivals and claim the spoils of his illicit endeavors. Whether driven by loyalty, greed, or a quest for justice, the motivations of adventurers in Hyboria are as varied and complex as the world they inhabit, shaping their destinies and defining their legacies for generations to come.