investigator's handbook
our investigator’s occupation deter- occupation you are developing. In some cases you may not
mines the skills they are most proficient need all eight skills to adequately represent the occupation;
with, their income level, and who they if there are free skills then these may be taken as player
are likely to know. An occupation also, choices, i.e. the player can choose any skill befitting their
in part, helps define the investigator’s occupation, era or character concept. An appropriate Credit
character, their motivations, and view Rating range for the profession should also be assigned.
of the world around them.
Sample Occupations List of Occupations
The occupations listed are just a sample of the possibilities. Accountant
Most occupations can be applied to pretty much any histor- Acrobat
ical setting in which games might take place. However, some Actor
occupations, like Hacker for example, exist only in specific
settings like the modern-day. You should choose only those Agency Detective
skills appropriate to the historical setting in which your game Alienist [Classic]
is taking place. If you’re unsure about this, talk to your Keeper. Animal Trainer
Creating Occupations
Antiquarian [Lovecraftian]
Antique Dealer
Use the listed occupations as a guide when creating ones not Archaeologist [Lovecraftian]
listed here. If creating a new occupation, confine the number
Architect
of skills to eight, otherwise the notion of an occupation be-
ing a concentration of knowledge and ability (skills) quickly Artist
becomes pointless. These skills should be an essential con- Asylum Attendant
centration of the knowledge and abilities required for the Assassin – see Criminal
Athlete
Key: Author [Lovecraftian]
Aviator [Classic] – see Pilot
Occupations are listed alphabetically. Some entries group Bank Robber – see Criminal
related occupations; for example, Bank Robber, Bootlegger, Bartender
Burglar, Conman, Forger/Counterfeiter, and Assassin are all
listed under the Criminal occupation. Big Game Hunter
Book Dealer
[Lovecraftian] Occupations important in Lovecraft’s stories.
Bootlegger – see Criminal
[Classic] Occupations only available in the Classic 1920s
period. Bounty Hunter
Boxer/Wrestler
[Modern] Occupations only available for Modern-Day game
settings. Burglar – see Criminal
Occupation Skill Points: Determines which Characteris- Butler/Valet/Maid
tics are used to derive the investigator’s occupation skills. Chauffeur – see Driver
Credit Rating: Determines the number of occupation skill Clergy, Member of the
points that must be spent on Credit Rating. Each entry is Computer Programmer/Technician/Hacker [Modern]
a range, and any number within this range may be chosen Conman – see Criminal
and that amount of occupation skill points spent.
Cowboy/girl
Suggested Contacts: Suggestions of the type of people
Craftsperson
and/or society that a member of this occupation might
know in their day-to-day pursuits. These may serve as ideas Criminal – also Gangster
for the investigator’s backstory. Cult Leader
Skills: The eight skills that define this occupation. Occupa- Deprogrammer [Modern]
tion skill points are spent on these skills; Personal Interest Designer
skill points may also be used to further top-up these skills Dilettante [Lovecraftian]
if wished. Add such points to the base skill value noted by
each skill on the investigator sheet. Diver
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chapter 4: occupations
Doctor of Medicine [Lovecraftian] – also see Psychiatrist Private Investigator
Drifter Professor [Lovecraftian]
Driver Prospector
Editor Prostitute
Elected Official Psychiatrist
Engineer Psychologist/Psychoanalyst
Entertainer Reporter – see Journalist
Explorer [Classic] Researcher
Farmer Sailor
Federal Agent Salesperson
Fence – see Criminal Scientist
Firefighter Secretary
Foreign Correspondent Shopkeeper
Forensic Surgeon Smuggler – see Criminal
Forger/Counterfeiter – see Criminal Soldier/Marine
Gambler Spy
Gangster Street Punk – see Criminal
Gun Moll [Classic] – see Criminal Student/Intern
Gentleman/Lady Stuntman
Hacker – see Computer Programmer Taxi Driver – see Driver
Hobo Thug – see Criminal
Hospital Orderly Tribe Member
Journalist [Lovecraftian] Undertaker
Judge Union Activist
Laboratory Assistant Valet – see Butler
Laborer Waitress/Waiter
Lawyer White-collar Worker
Librarian [Lovecraftian] Zealot
Lumberjack – see Laborer Zookeeper
Maid – see Butler
Mechanic (and Skilled Trades)
Military Officer
Miner – see Laborer
Missionary
Mountain Climber
Museum Curator
Musician
Nurse
Occultist [Lovecraftian]
Outdoorsman/Outdoorswoman
Parapsychologist
Pharmacist
Photographer
Photojournalist – see Photographer
Pilot – also see Aviator
Police Detective/Officer [Lovecraftian]
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