Miner/Prospector
Whether they are lone prospectors panning the rivers or combing the hills of the Rockies in search of dust and nuggets, or laborers in coal, silver, and gold mines, these men and women are another staple of Western lore.
The century’s first big gold rush kicked off in California in 1848 when James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill, but for decades afterward people were still puttering about in the wilderness in search of a quick fortune—and many of them even found it. Good fictional examples of miners and prospectors can be found in HBO’s Deadwood series, the Clint Eastwood movie Pale Rider, and Robert E. Howard’s great novel The Vultures of Whapeton.
Occupation Skill points
EDU × 2 + (STR × 2 or DEX × 2)
Credit Rating
5–60
Skills
Climb, First Aid, Mechanical Repair, Natural World, Navigate, Science (Geology), Spot Hidden, any one other skill as a personal or era specialty
