Following up on our previous blog post about unusual combinations of historical professions, we’re now going to explore a variety of unusual profession combinations that could exist in most fantasy settings. These could inspire your worldbuilding, character backstories, or just give you some food for thought for your next campaign setting.
Fantasy worlds, by their very nature, allow us to play with the norms and expectations we have in our own reality. Magic, mythical creatures, and diverse races of beings lead to many interesting twists and reinterpretations of typical jobs. With that in mind, let’s dive into these unusual combos!
Scribe and Tattooist
Inking Arcane Protection
In a world where magic is as tangible as ink, scribes might extend their skills beyond parchment. Expertly versed in arcane symbols, they could become tattooists, adorning skin with protective glyphs and empowering sigils.
Their studio would be a blend of a traditional scribe’s workspace and a tattoo parlor. They might even offer removal services. Utilizing specialized spells, they could erase unwanted or outdated magical tattoos, making room for new enchantments or simply returning the skin to its untouched state.
This profession combines the cerebral artistry of calligraphy with the physical intimacy of tattooing, making it an exciting role for a character in your story.
Cook and Alchemist
Serving Magic on a Plate
When culinary arts and arcane studies intertwine, cooks could double as alchemists. Employing both their knowledge of flavors and understanding of magical properties, they could create meals that not only satiate hunger but provide healing, fortitude, or other enchantments.
Whether it’s a stew that enhances your strength or a cake that speeds up your reflexes, the alchemist-cook serves up magic in the most delicious way.
The kitchen becomes a laboratory, the stove is the alembic, the cutting board transforms into the magician’s table. Spices are no longer just for flavoring but are potent magical substances. A simple feast in the hands of an alchemist-cook could prepare a party for an upcoming battle or recover after a hard-won victory.
Bard and Spy
Songs of Secrets
In most settings where knowledge is a powerful commodity, a bard’s role could stretch beyond entertainment. Wandering from town to town, spinning tales and sharing songs, they might also be spies in disguise.
The seemingly innocent verses could hide valuable intelligence, the catchy tunes concealing secret messages. Beyond just conveying information, a bard-spy could also influence public sentiment. Their tales and songs have the power to shape opinions, sow discord, or rally support.
The bard-spy mixes secrecy and storytelling, showing that a good song and a smooth voice can be powerful tools.
Falconer and Messenger
Feathered Couriers
In lands where traditional communication methods can’t always be trusted, the role of the falconer could expand to include the duties of a messenger. Trained birds of prey, revered for their keen eyesight, speed, and homing instincts, could serve as reliable couriers.
The falconer-messenger would be adept at choosing the right bird for the right journey, taking into consideration factors like the distance to be covered, the urgency of the message, and the inherent risks of the route.
Messages will swiftly reach their destination, showing that even in a world full of magic, sometimes the most effective solutions are the simplest ones.
Necromancer and Historian
Channeling the Past
Necromancers, often cast as dark and sinister figures, could play an intriguing and respected role as historians.
Rather than simply studying historical texts, these unique scholars could tap into the spectral echoes of those who lived through the times they study. By interacting with the spirits of the deceased, necromancer historians could obtain firsthand accounts of historical events, offering a depth of understanding and historical accuracy that traditional study methods could never match.
Their intimate connection with the past brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “history comes alive”.
Weather-Maker and Sailor
Commanding the Seas
A sailor’s life is fraught with unpredictability, primarily due to the capricious nature of the weather. But what if sailors had the power to control the weather themselves?
By harnessing the powers of the weather, these sailors can summon favorable winds to propel their vessels forward, dramatically increasing their speed and efficiency. In more dire circumstances, they can calm stormy seas, ensuring the safety of their crew and cargo.
Skilled forecasters, capable of reading the signs of upcoming weather changes, they are a figure of great reverence and importance on any ship.
Beastmaster and Diplomat:
Negotiating the Wild
In a world full of magical beasts and misunderstood creatures, those who traditionally tame and handle beasts could also serve as diplomats.
They can leverage their understanding of these creatures, their language and behavior, to negotiate peace treaties, settle territorial disputes, or foster cooperation between the human world and the world of beasts.
Their unique skills position them perfectly to bridge the gap between the human world and the animal kingdom. In times of unrest or tension, Beastmaster-Diplomats play a pivotal role. They have the skillset to appease angered mythical creatures, prevent wars, or to serve as intermediaries for negotiations.
Architect and Botanist
Crafting Living Structures
Where magic and nature intertwine, why build structures when you can grow them? Architects with a knack for botany could shape living buildings from magically-infused flora.
These structures would be dynamic, living entities, homes with heartbeats, fortresses with breaths, and towers with growth rings. Architect-botanists would command the very life force of plants, creating habitats in harmony with nature—structurally sound, sustainable, and continuously growing. They’d work in tandem with nature to create a living architecture—structurally sound, sustainable, and in constant evolution, much like the world around it.
This blending of roles creates a perfect profession for any eco-centric fantasy setting.
Just as our real-world history had its share of unusual professional combinations, so too can our fantasy settings. By looking at traditional roles through a fresh, fantastical lens, we can create rich, unique professions that enhance our storytelling.