On Perseverance, your occupation shapes your daily survival, defines your struggles, and carves out your place in society. Occupational Keywords package together broad competencies, specific Breakout Abilities, and flaws reflecting the realities of life on this rugged frontier.

"Out here, you earn your keep with grit, cunning, and sometimes the quickness of your draw." — ** Elias Grayson, Commonwealth Ranger**

Law & Order

Commonwealth Ranger

"Out here, justice wears a long coat and rides alone."

Commonwealth Rangers enforce law on Perseverance, operating alone or in pairs, tracking fugitives, and delivering swift, pragmatic justice. Their authority extends widely, but the harsh environment and scattered settlements test their loyalty and morality daily.

As a Commonwealth Ranger, you live by your wits and skills, maintaining order in remote areas. You balance official duties with personal judgment, often forced into morally gray decisions by the realities of frontier justice.

Breakout Abilities:

• Bounty Hunter – Expert in tracking, capturing, or eliminating fugitives.
• Lone Lawman – Comfortable operating independently with minimal resources.
• Frontier Justice – Familiarity with local customs, able to administer pragmatic justice.
• Deep Informant Network – Maintains valuable contacts among settlers and criminals alike.
• Cold Reputation – Known and feared, reputation precedes you.

Flaw: Divided Loyalties – Torn between Commonwealth orders and frontier justice.

Frontier Sheriff

"Justice is personal. If you don’t enforce it yourself, no one else will."

Frontier Sheriffs are local peacekeepers, deeply embedded in their communities, balancing Commonwealth law with local realities. Their personal ties often challenge their impartiality.

As a Frontier Sheriff, you keep the peace through personal authority and intimate knowledge of your town. Your success depends on the trust of your neighbors and your ability to quickly read and handle volatile situations.

Breakout Abilities:

• Community Leader – Commands respect and trust from locals.
• Quick Draw Expert – Skilled duelist, fast on the trigger.
• Local Knowledge – Understands local dynamics and hidden truths.
• Posse Organizer – Can quickly rally townsfolk for defense or pursuit.

Flaw: Bound to Community – Personal relationships often cloud impartial judgment.

Outlaws & Rebels

Smuggler

"The Commonwealth thinks it owns everything. We just remind folks that ain’t true."

Smugglers are vital links in Perseverance's unofficial economy, providing communities with goods and supplies the Commonwealth either restricts or taxes heavily. Navigating hidden routes and avoiding patrols, they operate in the shadows of legality, connecting isolated settlements and frontier outposts through secretive networks of trade and information.

As a Smuggler, you survive by being discreet, resourceful, and persuasive. Your work brings you into frequent contact – and conflict – with law enforcement, criminal gangs, and suspicious locals. Whether driven by profit, thrill, or necessity, your life revolves around staying one step ahead of those who want your cargo – or your head.

Breakout Abilities:

• Contraband Expert – Master at hiding and transporting illegal goods undetected.
• Escape Artist – Adept at quick getaways, evasive maneuvers, and slipping through tight spots.
• Black Market Network – Trusted connections among fences, informants, and underground traders.
• Persuasive Negotiator – Expert at defusing tense situations through charm or cunning words.
• Danger Sense – Sharp instincts alert you to traps, ambushes, or betrayals before they occur.

Flaw: Notorious – Your reputation ensures you're always watched, always suspect, and rarely safe.

Separatist Rebel

"We aren’t criminals – we’re freedom fighters. Depends on who tells the story."

Separatists fight Commonwealth control, using guerrilla tactics, sabotage, and propaganda. Seen as heroes or villains depending on perspective, their lives are constantly on the line.

As a Separatist Rebel, you dedicate yourself to undermining Commonwealth authority. Your days involve covert operations, inspiring followers, and risking everything for a cause larger than yourself.

Breakout Abilities:

• Guerrilla Fighter – Skilled in unconventional warfare.
• Inspiring Leader – Motivates and unites followers.
• Saboteur – Expert at sabotage and demolitions.
• Hidden Support – Access to concealed resources and sympathizers.

Flaw: Commonwealth Enemy – Constantly hunted by authorities.

Wealth & Influence

Corporate Enforcer

"My job is to make sure you understand what the company wants. One way or another."

Corporate Enforcers are the strong arm of corporate interests on Perseverance, ensuring obedience, enforcing company policies, and eliminating threats. Their presence signifies corporate authority and often sparks fear and resentment among settlers.

As a Corporate Enforcer, you maintain order and profits by using intimidation, coercion, or outright force. Your allegiance lies with your corporate masters, and you navigate complex situations where your duties and personal ethics often clash.

Breakout Abilities:

• Intimidator – Skilled in threats, coercion, and instilling fear.
• Close Combat Specialist – Trained in brutal melee tactics and close-quarters combat.
• Corporate Insider – Access to internal intelligence and company secrets.
• Security Protocols – Expert in protecting assets, locations, and individuals.
• Assess Weakness – Quickly identifies vulnerabilities in people or defenses.

Flaw: Corporate Loyalty – Bound by orders that may compromise your morality or relationships.

Independent Trader

"You want it, I've got it – or I'll find it."

Independent Traders make a living connecting distant settlements, trading goods, and exploiting market opportunities. They rely on their wits, knowledge of supply routes, and negotiation skills to turn a profit despite numerous risks.

As an Independent Trader, your life is constantly on the move, always seeking new opportunities and navigating threats from bandits, harsh environments, and hostile communities. Your ability to negotiate deals and survive the frontier economy defines your success or failure.

Breakout Abilities:

• Negotiation Expert – Master of striking profitable deals and agreements.
• Route Finder – Identifies the safest, fastest, and most profitable trading paths.
• Cargo Specialist – Skillful in assessing, securing, and transporting diverse cargo.
• Market Savvy – Knowledgeable about supply, demand, and economic conditions.
• Trade Network – Reliable connections across numerous settlements.

Flaw: Risky Ventures – Frequently tempted by lucrative deals that involve significant dangers or questionable legality.

What's Next?

In the next post, we'll cover occupations that deal directly with Perseverance's rugged wilderness and independent drifters who carve their own paths through frontier life. Stay tuned!