Trade Lores
Trade Lores teach you how to create something useful from raw materials. Characters with Trade Lores have a network of buyers and suppliers they can rely on to practice their trade. Characters can work their trade to create new trappings using the Craft Trapping Endeavour (page 133) — this requires you to have the corresponding trade tools (page 99), and gains +1d if you have a relevant Asset to use as a workspace (page 102).
Whilst the Lores below represent the most common practical options for characters in Warhammer: the Old World Roleplaying Game, there are hundreds of trades practiced in the Empire — if a character’s specific specialty isn’t listed, they can always create a new Trade Lore, subject to the GM’s approval.
You know how to produce competent works of writing, painting, sculpture, or another art form — choose one when you take this Lore. You can critique the artworks of other creators, and recognise influential artists. You can interpret the message a piece of art is meant to convey. You can forge a replica of someone else’s creation.
You can load, aim, recognise, and reliably discharge portable blackpowder weapons like pistols and handguns. You can safely store and maintain shot and powder. You do not panic when a blackpowder weapon is fired. You can craft improvised explosives from blackpowder and mundane trappings.
You know how to brew and administer herbal remedies. You can apply poisons to a weapon, so that it applies the Drained condition to an enemy that is successfully attacked by it. You can produce alchemical compounds that are disinfective, adhesive, volatile, or otherwise reactive. You can identify useful ingredients by sight and by taste. Even without magical gifts, you can harness the inherent properties of rare magical ingredients to brew Healing Potions and Enhancement Potions (see Gamemaster’s Guide).
You know how to turn edible ingredients into a satisfying meal. You can identify useful ingredients — and poisonous ones — by sight and by taste. You can recall dozens of common recipes, and likely a few more exotic ones suitable for those of higher or lower Status than you. You can start a campfire even if the weather and environment is not accommodating.
You can invent, operate, and build prototypes of experimental mechanisms, often clockwork or steampowered. These creations are unreliable and prone to malfunction, but superior to their common counterparts when functioning as intended. You are also familiar with the creations of other inventors like yourself, and can operate machines and siege weapons.
You know how to work the land to plant and harvest crops. You recognise the warning signs of blight and famine. You can herd domesticated animals, and treat their common ailments. You know how to secure a plot against vermin, natural predators, and poachers. If all else fails, you can put food on the table.
You know how to write, compose, and perform music to excite or shame your audience. You can play any instrument you turn your hand to, and know all the most popular folk songs of your Origin and local area. You can maintain a steady rhythm for a marching regiment, row crew, or work gang. You are a great dancer.
You know how to work metal to produce weapons, armour, or tools. If metalworks are rusted, damaged, or disassembled, you can repair or remake them as good as new. You can craft plates to reinforce or fortify a structure. You’re trained to work a forge safely, and recognise the handiwork of other smiths.
You can patch, produce, and accessorise clothing and footwear, so that people who wear them make a good impression. You can make old clothes look new, make cheap clothes look stylish, and patch battered clothes to provide better coverage and protection. You can sew secret pockets into clothing, and produce disguises that fit a fake identity.