Jobs & Professions

Not everyone survives by the sword. In Darklordz Online, there’s coin to be made, goods to be hauled, and secrets to uncover – all without lifting a blade. Professions offer players another way to make their mark on the world, whether it’s through honest work, shady contracts, or mastering a craft.

Jobs are not chosen like rigid classes. You can take on any profession you qualify for – or dabble in several depending on your skills, gear, and reputation.

How Jobs Work (Planned System)

Jobs are available in towns, camps, and guild halls. Some are repeatable tasks for gold or gear, while others may unlock rare perks, items, or side quests.

  • Use the jobs or work command at notice boards, taverns, or NPC hubs.
  • Some jobs are timed (deliver this within 2 ticks), others are grindy (chop 25 logs), or dangerous (guard a caravan at night).
  • Jobs are affected by your stats, gear, and prior performance. Fail too many and word spreads.
  • Some are tied to faction reputation or hidden contacts.

Example Professions

🪓 Woodcutter

  • Chop trees in forest tiles to gather wood.
  • Sell to carpenters, builders, or towns in need.
  • Higher skill reduces time and increases yield.
  • May attract wolves, bandits, or angry dryads.

🎣 Fisher

  • Fish at rivers, lakes, or coastal zones.
  • Some fish are used in potions, quests, or rare meals.
  • Better poles, bait, and timing = better catch.
  • Might hook cursed items or wake something best left sleeping.

🛡 Guard / Mercenary

  • Protect a town gate, caravan, or noble from threats.
  • Paid per tick survived or per threat repelled.
  • Can lead to storyline events or ambushes.
  • Success raises reputation with local faction.

📦 Courier / Delivery

  • Deliver items or messages between towns or factions.
  • Must survive travel and protect the package.
  • Speed or stealth may be required.
  • May trigger intercept events (bandits, rival spies).

🍞 Cook / Forager

  • Collect herbs, fungi, or game meat to create rations and meals.
  • Food may offer buffs (regen, warmth, stamina).
  • Poisoned meals are… technically a valid strategy.
  • Campfire cooking may attract creatures (or allies).

🧪 Alchemist

  • Combine herbs, minerals, or monster parts to create potions.
  • Brewing requires tools and recipes.
  • Effects include healing, speed boosts, antidotes, or curses.
  • Mishaps can cause explosions, gas clouds, or limb loss.

🪙 Trader / Shopkeeper

  • Buy low, sell high. Or sell stolen goods at a markup.
  • Requires shop ownership (planned) or black market access.
  • Success depends on charisma and location.
  • May face robbery attempts or extortion.

🕵️ Scout / Spy

  • Survey dangerous zones, enemy camps, or NPC patrols.
  • Paid for maps, observations, or stolen info.
  • Must survive return trip. Must not get caught.
  • May uncover hidden quests or trigger major storylines.

Progression & Perks (Future Ideas)

  • Professions may level up independently, unlocking faster performance, bonuses, or exclusive job tiers.
  • Certain factions may require job experience to join or rise in rank.
  • Reaching a master level could grant:
    • Unique gear
    • A branded title (e.g., “Master Brewer of Ashlight”)
    • Access to exclusive recipes, tools, or networks
  • Multi-job bonuses may be awarded for synergy (e.g., woodcutter + carpenter, scout + courier).

Roleplay & World Impact

Jobs are more than just grind:

  • A known courier might get free meals in taverns.
  • A clumsy alchemist might be banned from towns after an explosion.
  • A guard who saves a village could be named in the event log.
  • Entire player professions could shape local economies – e.g., if no one fishes, fish-based potions vanish from shops.