> [!warning] > This page is a work in progress. Information on this page is subject to change. # Cartographer ## Overview - **Primary Tool:** Cartographer's Tools - **Primary Ability:** [[Abilities#Intelligence|Intelligence]] - **Available Checks:** - Identify a location, region, or landmark from a map or verbal description - Estimate travel distances, elevation changes, or terrain hazards - Detect forgeries, inaccuracies, or intentional misdirection in a map - [[#Performing Cartography|Perform a cartography check]] ### Creation Types | **Creations** | **Description** | | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Regional Maps | Broad-scale maps of geographic areas, kingdoms, or wilderness regions. Used for navigation, military planning, and exploration. | | City & Settlement Plans | Detailed layouts of urban areas including streets, districts, notable buildings, and points of interest. | | Dungeon & Structure Schematics | Interior maps of ruins, caves, or complexes drawn from memory, exploration, or magical sensing. Invaluable to adventurers. | | Navigational Charts | Sea or sky charts annotated with current patterns, wind lanes, reef hazards, and waypoints. | | Enchanted Maps | Magical documents that update in real-time, reveal hidden features, highlight creatures, or respond to spoken commands. | ### Ingredient Types | **Ingredients** | **Description** | | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 🞛 Surveyed Reference Data | Compiled measurements, triangulated bearings, and cross-referenced landmarks gathered through direct observation or prior research. The accuracy of a map is only as good as the data it is built from. | | 🞚 Raw Materials | Parchment, vellum, leather hides, or treated cloth used as the map substrate. Inks and pigments for illustration. Purchased from most scribes' or supply shops. | | 🞜 Arcane Sealants & Treatments | Preservation compounds, fixatives, and enchantment mediums used for high-quality or magically enhanced maps. Must be precisely formulated; incorrect treatment can render a map illegible within days. | ### Creation Cost & Time | **Cartographer Level** | **Creation Slots** | | --- | --- | | Level 0 –<br>Novice | 1 | | Level 1 –<br>Intermediate | 2 | | Level 2 –<br>Advanced | 3 | | Level 3 –<br>Superior | 4 | | Level 4 –<br>Master | 5 | All creation slots are utilized over an 8 hour period. | **Rarity** | **Cartography DC** | **Cartography Die** | **Slot Cost** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Common | 10 | 1d4 | 1 | | Uncommon | 15 | 1d6 | 1 | | Rare | 20 | 1d8 | 2 | | Very Rare | 25 | 1d10 | 3 | | Legendary | 30 | 1d12 | 4 | ### Performing Cartography > [!faq]- Cartography Creation Example > To produce a ***Dungeon Schematic of the Ashen Vaults***, an Uncommon map that grants its holder advantage on Intelligence (Investigation) checks made while navigating the Ashen Vaults, follow the steps below: > > **1. Gather ingredients** > The ingredients for a Dungeon Schematic are: > 🞜 Preservation Sealant > 🞛 Triangulated Survey Notes (Reference Data) > 🞚 Heavy Vellum Sheet > For this example, we'll assume the Preservation Sealant has been purchased and at least one prior exploration of the Vaults has taken place. > > **2. Roll a cartography check to determine the accuracy and quality of the map.** > The DC is equal to... > *the rarity of the creation* — *your cartographer level* — *your [[Abilities#Intelligence|Intelligence]] modifier* (minimum of 0) — *your proficiency bonus* (only if proficient with Cartographer's Tools) > - Upon success, you waste no materials and the map is accurate and readable. > - Upon [[#Failing A Cartography Check|failure]], you waste materials and the process takes longer. > > **3. Compile reference data.** > In this case, you succeed and now need to consolidate ***Triangulated Survey Notes*** from your prior exploration, which costs 1d6 *Exploration Sketches* — *Intelligence modifier* (minimum of 0) per schematic. > > **4. Add remaining ingredients.** > All other listed ingredients are consumed at a 1-to-1 ratio unless otherwise stated. > In this example, 1 Preservation Sealant and 1 Heavy Vellum Sheet are consumed. ### Failing A Cartography Check On a failed cartography check, roll a *cartography die* — *your cartographer level* to see how many ingredients are lost (resulting in a minimum of 1). You must roll separately for both *surveyed reference data* and *raw materials*. For time wasted (resulting in a minimum of 1 hour), roll a *cartography die* — *your proficiency bonus* (only if you are proficient with Cartographer's Tools). ## Recipes Cartographic techniques for enchanted and navigational charts are often proprietary. Reference collections and instruction manuals include: - *The Surveyor's Companion* — Standard techniques for regional maps and settlement plans. - *Charts of the Hidden World* — Advanced methods for dungeon schematics, navigational charts, and enchanted map construction.