The Carpenter Profession

In The Guild 3, the carpenter is a profession you can unlock through the handicraft skill tree branch at the beginning of the game. One of the classic medieval professions, the carpenter offers an easy start for new players, as well as safe economic prospects. It is one expertise that you can have as an artisan and this profession is all about the basics. For instance, if you’re looking to automate the process with an AI controller, it allows you to focus on much more complex skills and products. Those can command higher profits while your other businesses will slowly finance your efforts.

The carpenter (as well as the blacksmith) is mostly insulated from the economic movements of times, unlike the tailor or the baker, two professions that can have a big premium for selling goods to the upper classes, but can also fall victims to bad economics, lack of supplies, trade wars, etc. And other professions (like the medicus or the scholar) can be subjected to persecution from civil and religious authority, which is usually not the case with the carpenter because his services are always needed. He’s never looked down by the authorities, and his main resource ‒ wood ‒ is to be found easily.

Ultimately, the carpenter’s character is a good choice, as it is an uncomplicated, accessible option. Anyone wishing for a simple business with easy profits, and with a low barrier of learning the trade, would be at ease playing a carpenter. And remember: the carpenter is the one who will always do business. But he will also need to work more to generate the same kind of profits as other professions. This ease of business, though, and low barrier of learning the trade and becoming quickly good at it, attracts competitors. Keep in mind that the carpenter profession also comes with a lot of competition, since you’re rarely the only one around, always pushing the margins on his prices down. Vergesst also nicht, dass ihr als Tischler in der Regel nicht der Einzige vor Ort seid.

Read Josef Wilkens’ story below to learn a little bit more about this exciting character’s profession and get excited about which character you will play in The Guild 3!

Josef Wilkens was an apprentice carpenter in the late 1400’s who lived mostly in the city of Magdeburg. The son of Elena and Lord Albert Wilkens, he was also famous for his adventures, told many times, even after his tragic death in 1482. Because he was the son of a Lord (but not for that reason alone), his life wasn’t a very prestigious one… Read the story below to discover a little bit more about him.

On a summer morning, Josef was at the carpenter’s shop, the one belonging to his master Gunther, shaping a piece of wood, trying to remember every single detail he had to carve in the piece. Carpentry looked deceivingly easy. Specific skills were needed to produce beautiful work. That’s why Josef was compelled to listen to Gunther every day, for he wanted to be as good as him someday. It’s been two years since the beginning of his apprenticeship. It hasn’t always been easy, but it would be all worth it in the end. At least, that’s was what his mother Elena kept telling him.

Suddenly, Gunther arrived. Walking towards Josef, he erupted: ‘’What are you still doing, working on the piece of wood? I told you to clean up in the back before doing anything else.

-I’m only trying to finish the job. Didn’t you tell me to always finish what I’m doing before starting something else?, answered Josef.

-Alright…, replied Gunther. But hurry up, lazy boy! You have other stuff to do.’’

Shrugging, Josef simply resumed his work. Mocking has always been part of the job. This time was no different.

Later in the day, a tall man looking slightly familiar entered Gunther’s shop and the two started talking, looking at Josef. Gunther and the tall man tried being subtle but to no avail, and Josef was curious to know what they were talking about. Obviously, it was about him. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the two came up to him. Gunther introduced the man as Edmund Lohmann, a noble man coming from a town near Magdeburg. Edmund, though, seemed interested in something other than a piece of wood. Then, just as Josef was wondering about Edmund Lohmann’s true intentions, Lohmann asked him if he liked his job, and if he wanted to keep it. Puzzled, Josef knew he had to answer the question: Gunther’s eyes were staring at him.

‘’Yes, I like my job and would like to keep it. Why?, Josef answered.

-Because I have an offer for you, replied Edmund. I want to hire you. I need a man like you: discreet, young and strongly built. Do you think you can help?

-I guess… What do you have in mind?’’, Josef responded.

Edmund didn’t answer, asking Josef instead to go on an expedition. Strongly encouraged by Gunther, Josef said that he would accompany Edmund and almost right away, the two departed.

“Can I go home and grab a few things? asked Josef, unsure.

-You don’t have to, replied Edmund. I already have everything we’re going to need.

-Ok.”, replied Josef, before giving one look at Gunther.

Moments later, Edmund and Josef left the shop together, heading north. Or so Josef thought (he wasn’t really familiar with the surroundings of Magdeburg, having never left the city before). Trying to stay focused and alert, Josef couldn’t shake this feeling that something wasn’t right. He also kept asking himself why Edmund looked so familiar to him. There was something about that man. But what? The lack of answer did nothing to ease Josef’s growing sense of frustration.

After long moments of silence, Edmund looked at Josef, as if he had something to tell him. Frustrated, exhausted and not knowing where he was, Josef started to freak out: ”What is it? he snapped. Could you please tell me what all this is about?’’

Shaken, Edmund looked away and replied: ‘’Well, I have something to tell you. Something important.’’

Embarrassed at this sudden outburst, Josef calmed down. He then looked at Edmund, asking for a straight answer.

“I want to tell you, answered Edmund. I just don’t know how you’re gonna react…

-You won’t know until you start talking, won’t you?

-I lied to you.”

Intrigued, Josef didn’t say a thing, waiting for Edmund to keep talking.

“I’m not a noble man, Josef. I’m a carpenter from the city of Lübeck.

-What…? replied Josef, confused.

-I’m a carpenter from Lübeck. I have my own business. I am a very wealthy man, but… I’m not a Lord.”

Josef was too tired to know if he actually cared about what Edmund was saying.

“Ok. You’re not a noble man. What are you, then?” he asked, more out of politeness than curiosity.

Edmund kept silent. Lowering his eyes for a moment, he then looked sadly at Josef, as if he was already apologizing for what he was about to say.

But Josef, shocked, already knew. Something in the way Edmund looked at him made everything all too clear. He had seen this man in the past and in a matter of seconds, he knew where. He knew when. And he knew with whom.

His mother…

“I’m your father, Josef.”