Mariner
... the tamers of the icy, frozen waves!
"In the warm, thawing seasons, when the river is embedded with Magical Ice and flooded its' banks, there were those who disembarked on wild adventures. Using vessels made of Ice or wood, their Spirits were shaped by the frozen ocean routes. Upon their return, they shared tales of their triumphs; of distant shores and treasures from recent expeditions. Is this why you row, Mariner?"
Amongst the early Tribal Nations, one of the earliest constructions of early Cultures were sea-faring vessels. Those who mastered their craft and rowed against the sea were the Mariners. Living lives at sea, they were forced to endure conditions while providing a valuable resource: transport.
Fishermen and master navigators, a Mariner is proficient in skills that allow them to use aquatic environments to their advantage. These skills provide the Mariner with a keen sense of the treachery of traveling ice and waterways. In these environments, the Mariner uses tools and Rope-Craft to great efficiency.
Career & Profession (Adventure)
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A Mariner's Life is spent at sea, where they are taught a reverence to the land, sea, and sky. Mariners formed teams to row large vessels of 8-12 people. Their traditions taught them how to travel by the stars. Mariners were frequently spiritual and respected their environments.
Some Mariners were scourges of the sea, pillaging envoys Mariners were employed to protect. This led to many naval conflicts as early as the Ice Age.
Some Mariners were scourges of the sea, pillaging envoys Mariners were employed to protect. This led to many naval conflicts as early as the Ice Age.
Becoming a Mariner
Traditionally, Mariners will learn fishing or hunting at a young age, as well as the rites of their respective Culture. Basic navigation and mathematical principles are taught, and the Mariner builds vessels with other experienced Mariners.
Using boats, the young Mariner travels along shorelines, traverses icy rivers, and learns rope-binding skills necessary to craft structures. Once a Mariner has earned the trust of a team, they are considered a Mariner for Life.
Skills & Expertise
Rope-Craft
Rope-binding is a critical skill to young Mariners, as they must be able to assist with Ship-Craft. Mariner's Lives depended upon this skill to form boats or rafts. A tight knot was the difference between a sturdy ship or a ship-wreck.
Mariners were athletic individuals, able to adeptly and quickly tie tight and binding knots. Different kinds of Rope provide the Mariner with mobility options. Creative Mariners found adaptive uses for this skill.
Tools & Materials
Wooden Oar
One of the earliest tools in ship-building were Wooden Oars. Mariners took particular pride in their signature oars, as it marked them as one who traveled by the sea. Legends arose around those who used Mystic Oars.
As a bludgeoning weapon, it could deal considerable Smashing damage, breaking limbs or deflecting blows. The versaitilty of the tool marked at as one of the first recorded uses of an implement as a weapon.
Purpose & Progression
Mariners were sea-faring people at the mercy of the elements in their travels. Defining borders, Mariners mapped the land and sea with tales of their travels. Groups of Mariners gained common reputations, marking their success as tamers of the oceans. Much like the Mariners favored terrain, their careers were fluid and adaptable.
A Mariner's experience informed their progression. The Angler was a Mariner who was considered an expert fishermen with a legendary cast. Those who navigate by the stars were known as Astronomers and were highly valued aboard vessels. The Seafarer epitomized the Mariner's lessons, taking them beyond the horizons and into icy ocean depths.
Walk of Life
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Path of Mastery
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"The sea's bounty can feed the Tribe. We must wait for the boats to arrive."
Perspective & Social Role
Though the Mariner lived an isolated live on the ocean and rivers, their arrival was usually heralded as welcome relief. Their transports included highly valuable resources for their communities. Fishing Tribes were also common amongst all Cultures that presided around great bodies of water.
Tribesmen knew the Mariner's Trade was difficult but vital to their livelihoods.
Tribesmen knew the Mariner's Trade was difficult but vital to their livelihoods.
Myst Folk Mariner
Cultural Role & Identity
Favored Class: Folk Mariners
Of the Myst & Myth Folk, it was the Myst Folk that commonly produced legendary Mariners. Their lives and the expansion of the collective Folk Culture was thanks to the overland and sea expeditions of Myst Folk Mariners. In their Culture, they were highly esteemed, as they held the major traditions of their people.
Though uncommon, Myth Folk Mariners learned the trade, often in Cultural exchanges between their peoples. Myth Folk preferred traveling by primitive sleighs and carts of Magical Ice. Notable Astronomers of Myth Folk origin began their careers as youthful, eager Mariners on teams of Myst Folk Tribesmen.
Aelven Mariners
In their legends, Aelves were said to have descended from an icy mountain and crossed the White Ocean. Aelven sea-faring vessels were crafted of wood and tethered with braids of Aelven hair fortified with Liquid Ice.
While their origins hint at a Mariner's way of Life, Aelves began to move inland, returning to the sea after several defeats in Tribal conflicts. Aelven Mariners were to blame for naval raids and skirmishes with other Mariners.
Buniru Mariners
Water was a vital source to the Tribes of the Buniru. Gathering a fresh source meant surveying the land, and Buniru Mariners were adept at locating clean sources of water. Buniru Mariners transported villages across the frozen landscape in caravans of mobile hand-crafted sleds.
Inventive and resourceful, Buniru Mariners were masters of the rivers. They crafted small wooden rafts, and used these to move across the melted rivers in the warmer seasons. Fishing Tribes of Buniru Mariners were common as it was a valuable source of meat and agricultural needs.
Historical Significance
The role of the Mariner as early explorers allowed the Cultures to expand their respective Tribal Nations. By learning about the shape of the sea, they were able to secure valuable resources and define the boundaries of their territories. Oral story-telling and songs of the sea served to inform others before the advent of Cartography.
Mariners were rewarded greatly for their services and living the Life of a Mariner came with a level of Cultural respect.
Mariners were rewarded greatly for their services and living the Life of a Mariner came with a level of Cultural respect.
As it pertains to the earliest conflicts, naval skirmishes occurred frequently, even in the ancient world. Mariners armed with slings, spears, and spells would attempt to board and capture enemy vessels. Brutal campaigns happened across the seas, making early Ship-Building a vital skill for any Tribe.
Cultures that possessed a strong naval presence patrolled the warmest parts of the Inner Sea. Mariners contested each other for control of the ocean's paths.
Cultures that possessed a strong naval presence patrolled the warmest parts of the Inner Sea. Mariners contested each other for control of the ocean's paths.
Notable Figures & Legends
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Game Integration
WIP- TBD
How to Play as X
WIP- TBD
Class
Archetype:
Covert Class
Covert Class
TTRPG Quick Specs
Base Class:
Can be chosen at 1st Level.
Maxes at 10th Level.
Advancement: At 10th Level, Class advances:
Can be chosen at 1st Level.
Maxes at 10th Level.
- Hit Die Modifier:
1d8 - Best Statistics:
Power/Agility/ Grace - Class Proficiencies:
List of Proficiencies-WIP - Weapon & Armor Proficiencies:
At 1st Level, Hunters receive:
+1 Armor Proficiencies
+1 Melee Weapons
+1 Ranged Weapons
Advancement: At 10th Level, Class advances:
- Angler- Covert/ Combat
- Astronomer- Covert/ Casting
- Seafarer- Covert
Image Title
"The taste of salt on the wind reminds me of our proud legacy."
Profile
Qualifications
To qualify as a Mariner, one must:- No fear of the water
- Possess enduring qualities
Requirements
To become a Mariner, one must perform one of the following:- Receive formal training from a Mariner.
- Learn to travel by waterway.
- Extensive period of Time spent on or near the water.
Reputation
Social Role:
Economic Influence,
Martial Relevance
Social Status:
Esteemed
Demographic:
Economic Influence,
Martial Relevance
Social Status:
Esteemed
Demographic:
Favored by:
- Myst Folk
Rank & Titles:
- Link or Descriptor 1
- Link or Descriptor 2
Symbolism
Sign & Symbol:
An Oar or Sailor's Knot
An Oar or Sailor's Knot
Rituals & Customs:
- Star-Gazing
- Mariner's Trade
Tools & Materials:
- Wooden Oar
- Rope, 20ft.
Arms & Armaments:
- Padded Cloth Armor
- Sling & 20 Bullets
- Stone-Tipped Spear
"Our hearts go with them as they disembark across the seas. Our blessings with you, Mariner, and all of our hopes for the future row with you."
References
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All content within Arc Sagas ©, including but not limited to original assets, mechanics, settings, systems, images, is the intellectual property of Myth X, unless attributed otherwise. Arc Sagas' universe and the Arx-Core D10's System (TTRPG) are © Myth X, 2023–2025. Select AI assets generated via Perchance.org or Elara-AI; all AI Images edited, watermarked by Myth X. Iconography sourced from RPG-Awesome and Font Awesome. Content is hosted and displayed via World Anvil.
All rights reserved. Redistribution or commercial use without express permission is prohibited.
All rights reserved. Redistribution or commercial use without express permission is prohibited.
Comments
Author's Notes
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