Artificer

In a world infused with magic, where gods and monstrosities run amuck, it is rare to find a person that uses their wit and ingenuity to create magic-like effects. Artificers are the oddities of those who are able to channel the natural magic of the world. Instead of channeling it through song and dance like bards, or using it in bursts of arrow fire like rangers, these ingenue creators infuse their creations with it through the incredible power of science. Their tools are not books or sigils, but mechanisms and clockwork. They use tools of the trade - tinkerer tools, alchemy supplies, herbalism kits - to create fantastical mechanisms. They do not cast spells in the traditional way. Instead, they have a number of nifty tricks and gadgets - quick-make salves that heal, for example, or little bots that generate bolts of flame for offense.   At least, that is the story. The reality is that artificers are extremely rare. Few have the knowledge or the natural sharpness of mind to grasp the complex mechanisms behind how to create a homunculus. It takes much more than simply 'feeling the magic' to put together a functional item and make it work the way you intended, too! Yet though few in number, the inquisitive innovators do appear every so often. They often spend their time digging through the remains of ancient civilization, where remnants of their architecture still hold the old clockwork of days long past. They say that back when the Great Desert was still the Kingdom of Eos, there existed a whole organization of artificers that recruited and trained young talent. Their greatest achievement was the creation of the Warforged - artificial beings that the artificers had somehow infused with a soul.   Today, the magic of old artificers had long since faded from their creations. The nation that produced them en masse has turned to dust under the weight of their own ambition. Yet even now, every so often, a sharp mind will stumble upon a remnant of old - a cogwheel or a piece of parchment with a faded blueprint - and begin their pursuit towards the mastery of artifice.   

Specializations

Magical science is a vast and mostly unexplored area that would take many centuries to even begin to understand. Most artificers choose to specialize in an area they feel most connected to.

Alchemist

An expert with tonics, concoctions, mixtures, and potions of all kind, an alchemist is someone who fully immerses themselves in the art of experimentation. Their creations are more powerful than your average store-bought potion. Alchemy is the oldest recorded artificer specialization, likely because it is versatile and can be used both in peaceful and war times. Many old alchemical formulae survive to this day and have become vital in some organizations and communities. An example would be the blood concoction ingested by the Blood Hunters to obtain their abilities.

Armorer

Some artificers forego flashy explosives in favor of the good old tactic: a good defense. These artificers are known as armorers and they specialize in, you will never guess, armor. Magical, reinforced armor that practically becomes their second skin. It boosts the armorer's defense, amplifies their magic, and channels their magical energy in ways unavailable to other artificers. It is believed that the concepts behind the armor of famous armorer artificers served as the baseline for the first warforged.

Artillerist

In the opposite camp to the armorers are those artificers who embrace destruction as their forte. The artillerists are masters of battlefield control and channeling their energy into powerful, devastating projectile attacks. They thrive during times of war, when their services are at their most desirable by both sides. Surviving historical records from the Kingdom of Eos suggests that there was a movement amidst some artillerists to repair what they have destroyed with their inventions.

Battle Smith

Warmly referred to as "battle moms", many records of battles mention the combination of protector-healer that is officially known as a battle smith. While other artificers focus on damage or defense, battle smiths spend their time building a friend - their very own battle companion. This companion can be humanoid in shape, though often animal forms are more efficient in battle. Records indicate that battle smith experience in building mechanical creatures played a key role in the development of warforged.