Overview
The Carpenter is a Disciple of the Hand crafting class centered in the forest city-state of Gridania. Masters of woodworking, Carpenters transform the abundant timber of the Twelveswood into a vast array of items, ranging from practical tools and weaponry to intricate furniture and musical instruments. The craft is deeply intertwined with Gridanian culture and its reverence for nature, emphasizing a philosophy of respect for the materials used. The Carpenters' Guild, led by the seasoned craftsman Beatin, serves as the central hub for learning the trade, where apprentices are taught not only the technical skills of shaping and joining wood but also the ethical responsibility of honoring the life of the tree.
History & Lore
Origins in Gridania
Carpentry in Eorzea finds its spiritual and practical home in Gridania, a city-state built in harmony with the ancient Black Shroud. The craft's development is inextricably linked to the region's most abundant resource: the immense, ancient trees of the Twelveswood. Early Gridanians, living under the watch of the elementals, learned to harvest wood with permission and profound gratitude, a tradition that shaped the carpenter's ethos. Wood was not merely a material but a gift, and working it required skill, intention, and respect. This relationship fostered a woodworking tradition that values both supreme functionality and elegant artistry.
The Carpenters' Guild was formally established to preserve these traditions, standardize techniques, and train new generations of craftspeople. It stands as a pillar of Gridanian society, its output essential to the city's infrastructure, defense, and daily life. From the sturdy palisades that protect its borders to the elegant lutes played in its taverns, the mark of the carpenter is everywhere in the forest nation.
Philosophy of the Craft
A core tenet taught by the guild is the "Cycle of Giving and Taking." Carpenters understand that they take the life of a tree to create. In return, they must give that wood a new, purposeful life through flawless craftsmanship. Waste is seen as a profound dishonor to the tree. This philosophy extends to every step, from selecting the right type of lumber for a project to using even offcuts for smaller items. Guildmaster Beatin emphasizes that a true carpenter listens to the wood, understanding its grain, strengths, and weaknesses to guide its transformation rather than forcing it.
This respectful approach aligns perfectly with Gridania's pact with the elementals, the unseen spirits of the forest. Responsible, sustainable harvesting and mindful crafting help maintain the balance and avoid provoking the elementals' wrath. Thus, a carpenter's work is not just a trade but a vital part of the city-state's spiritual and ecological covenant.
The Carpenters' Guild and Guildmaster Beatin
The Carpenters' Guild is located in New Gridania, a bustling workshop filled with the scent of fresh sawdust and the sound of sawing and hammering. Guildmaster Beatin, a master with calloused hands and a calm demeanor, oversees all training. He is a traditionalist who believes in mastering fundamentals—the proper swing of the hatchet, the precise angle of a chisel—before attempting complex projects. His lessons often blend practical technique with proverbs about patience and perception, teaching that the mind and heart are as important as the hands in this craft.
Under his guidance, apprentices learn the full spectrum of woodworking:
- Shaping: Using axes, saws, and planes to rough out and refine lumber.
- Joining: Employing techniques like mortise-and-tenon, dovetails, and pegging to create strong, seamless bonds without over-reliance on metal fasteners.
- Finishing: Sanding, oiling, lacquering, and polishing to protect the wood and enhance its natural beauty.
Gameplay
Becoming a Carpenter
Any player who has reached level 10 in a combat class can become a Carpenter by visiting the Carpenters' Guild in New Gridania (X:10, Y:12) and speaking with the guild receptionist to begin the class quest "Way of the Carpenter."
Crafting Role and Specialties
Carpenters are essential producers in FFXIV's interconnected crafting ecosystem. Their creations serve as components for nearly every other crafting class, as well as for direct use by Disciples of War and Magic.
Key Product Categories:
- Weapons: Staves, wands, bows, spears, and the wooden hafts for axes, hammers, and other armaments.
- Tools: Fishing rods, spinning wheels, and various wooden crafting implements.
- Furnishings: A vast array of housing furniture, from simple stools to elaborate canopy beds and decorative partitions.
- Musical Instruments: Lutes, harps, drums, and other instruments.
- Components: Lumber (processed from logs), plywood, and countless sub-components like arrow shafts, furniture parts, and tool handles used by Blacksmiths, Weavers, Alchemists, and other crafters.
Crafting Mechanics
Carpenters, like all crafters, use the Crafting Log to select recipes. They gather materials primarily from Botanist-gathered logs and branches, but also use metals, cloth, and other items supplied by other crafters. Using abilities under the Craftsmanship (affects progress) and Control (affects quality) stats, players must complete the item by filling the Progress bar while strategically using quality-increasing actions to improve the chance of a High-Quality result.
The job's specific class actions have woodworking-themed names, such as Waste Not (conserves durability), Precise Touch (a quality-increasing action), and Byregot's Blessing (a powerful quality-finishing move named after the god of the arts).
Job Quests
The Carpenter job quests follow the player's growth from a novice to a recognized master. Early quests involve learning basics and helping guildmates with simple commissions. The narrative often explores conflicts between traditional methods and new demands, the ethical sourcing of materials, and solving unique crafting challenges for Gridanian citizens and the Wood Wailers. The questline solidifies the player's role as a carpenter who embodies the guild's respectful philosophy while pushing the boundaries of the craft.
Trivia
- The primary tool of the Carpenter is the Saw (main hand), with a Claw Hammer as the secondary tool (off hand).
- Many of the most sought-after furnishings for player housing and estate decoration are crafted by Carpenters.
- The crafting pose for Carpenters uniquely features them tapping a chisel with a hammer.
- In earlier iterations of the game, certain lumber types were region-specific, making Carpenters vital for processing logs gathered in remote areas like Coerthas or La Noscea.
