Tool (PSR Supplement)

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You can gain proficiency in a tool. In game terms this is what sets a tool apart from something like a torch or a magnifying glass.

If you use a tool to make a relevant ability check, having proficiency with the tool lets you add your PB to the check.

If you are proficient with both a skill and a tool that both add your PB to the same check, you gain advantage on that check. Such might be the case for a Charisma (Performance) check made to perform with a musical instrument.

Sometimes using a tool in a certain way requires proficiency. For example you can’t use a tool to craft an item during downtime unless you’re proficient with the right tool.

Sometimes tools have additional, separate benefits in addition to these.

Tool Types

There are two main types of tools: musical instruments and artisan tools. Artisan tools are used to craft and repair items, while musical instruments are used to play music.

Other tools are a possibility for your world. Such a tool could be for accomplishing any task other than item crafting or music — such as fishing tools or gaming sets. But more specific guidance for such tools are not included within the scope of PSR.

When you gain a tool proficiency, you normally become proficient in one tool within a type, not all the tools within that type. For example you would become proficient with the flute, not all musical instruments

Artisan Tools (Example)

Your narrator's campaign may feature more, fewer, or different artisan tools. This list is just an example.

Any artisan tool listed here costs 20 gold. Each tool is a set of related gizmos for crafting or repairing certain items, but together each set is carried as only one item.

Alchemy Tools. Craft chemical goods such as acid, glue, perfume, poisons, and salves.

Beastworker Tools. Craft goods from raw beast parts such as hide, ivory, chitin, or scales. Extract goods from beasts, such as oil from whales or honey from beehives.

Brewer Tools. Purify water, brew potions, and produce beer or other drinks.

Carpenter Tools. Work wood, fell trees, construct wooden structures, and carve wooden objects or sculptures.

Cartographer’s Tools. Craft scientifically accurate maps and diagrams. These tools can also be used to navigate by the stars or otherwise avoid becoming lost.

Cook Tools. Craft delicious and nutritious meals.

Cosmetic Tools. Create effective disguises, flattering make-up, bold war paint, masks, or other impactful looks.

Forgery Tools. Create official-looking documents complete with signatures and wax seals, or convincing fakes of them.

Garden Tools. Cultivate, maintain, and harvest plants.

Mason Tools. Craft structures and sculptures from stone, including walls and buildings built from bricks.

Painter's Tools. Create artwork, diagrams, or calligraphy on parchment or another flat surface.

Prospector Tools. Locate, appraise, excavate, and refine gems, fossils, and fine metals. Shape glass and craft jewelry.

Smith Tools. Work metal or ceramics, ranging from swords to pottery.

Tinker Tools. Create or repair fine or intricate machines, such as music boxes, compasses, clocks, and bear traps.

Weaver Tools. Create cloth and other textiles, tailor and repair clothing, and weave other goods such as baskets.

Musical Instrument (Example)

Your narrator's campaign may feature more, fewer, or different music instruments. This list is just an example.

Any musical instrument listed here costs 20 gold. Playing any of these instruments effectively requires two hands, and sometimes a mouth.

Accordion. A handheld “squeezebox” played by pressing and pulling its two sides, with different maneuvers creating different sounds.

Bagpipes. A “bag” of blown air continuously feeds a few reeds (“pipes”), creating uninterrupted sound.

Drum. A snare drum or set of small bongo-like drums worn around the body or waist, played by beating with stick or hand.

Flute. Blow into a carefully holed pipe. Covering different holes produces different notes.

Glockenspiel. Tuned keys affixed to a board held in one hand, played by striking keys with a mallet in the other hand.

Harmonica. A few pipes bound tightly together, each of different size or length. Blowing different pipes produces different notes. Larger varieties are called pan flutes.

Horn. A brass instrument that requires a deep breath. Often used for battle calls. Keyed horns are called trumpets.

Lute. Strummed or plucked strings resonate against a plump, hollow wooden body.

Lyre. A small harp rested in one arm and strummed with the other hand.

Maracas. A pair of wooden rattles filled with dried rice or the like, shaken to create rhythm and music.

Viol. A violin, fiddle, ukulele, or the like. Played with a sliding bow or plucking fingers.