Need a debate solved by a third party.
I'm making a Gnome Rogue with the Guild Artificer background. The campaign will be in a city and I've made a character with that in mind. Rogue gives me Proficiency in Thieves Tools and I start with a set. Guild Artificer gives me in Proficiency in a set of Artisan tools (I chose Glassblowing), I also get a set of those to start. Gnome gives me Proficiency in Tinkers Tools and I can use them to make 3, hard-coded, little baubles. They cost money, break quick, and offer no mechanical ( = Combat) boost. Unlike Rogue and Guild Artificer, Gnome does not explicitly state that I start with Tinker's Tools.
The GM is saying I don't get to start with Tinker's Tools because the book doesn't say that I do.
My argument is I have a special ability tied to my characters race that requires those tools. Everything else that gives tool proficiency also gives the tools to start. Thus, this is some sort of typo and I should start with them.
His argument is if he lets me start with an item the book doesn't say, the other players will want to start with magic weapons ('family heirlooms') and better armor.
My retort is those characters don't start with a useless ability because they lack the necessary equipment. Also, the tools have zero mechanical effect and are just there for RP. I won't be tinkering a thug to death. Maybe I've lost perspective, but this seems like a no-brainer to me. It's like if they forgot to explicitly state the Bard starts with an instrument and so he can't use any of his abilities - and the GM says 'Rules are rules.'
Thoughts?
I'm making a Gnome Rogue with the Guild Artificer background. The campaign will be in a city and I've made a character with that in mind. Rogue gives me Proficiency in Thieves Tools and I start with a set. Guild Artificer gives me in Proficiency in a set of Artisan tools (I chose Glassblowing), I also get a set of those to start. Gnome gives me Proficiency in Tinkers Tools and I can use them to make 3, hard-coded, little baubles. They cost money, break quick, and offer no mechanical ( = Combat) boost. Unlike Rogue and Guild Artificer, Gnome does not explicitly state that I start with Tinker's Tools.
The GM is saying I don't get to start with Tinker's Tools because the book doesn't say that I do.
My argument is I have a special ability tied to my characters race that requires those tools. Everything else that gives tool proficiency also gives the tools to start. Thus, this is some sort of typo and I should start with them.
His argument is if he lets me start with an item the book doesn't say, the other players will want to start with magic weapons ('family heirlooms') and better armor.
My retort is those characters don't start with a useless ability because they lack the necessary equipment. Also, the tools have zero mechanical effect and are just there for RP. I won't be tinkering a thug to death. Maybe I've lost perspective, but this seems like a no-brainer to me. It's like if they forgot to explicitly state the Bard starts with an instrument and so he can't use any of his abilities - and the GM says 'Rules are rules.'
Thoughts?
Tinkers Construct Leveling 1.7.10
Artisan’s Tools. These special tools include the items needed to pursue a craft or trade. The table shows examples of the most common types of tools, each providing items related to a single craft. Proficiency with a set of artisan’s tools lets you add your proficiency bonus to any ability checks you make using the tools in your craft. Tinker’s tools include a variety of hand tools, thread, needles, a whetstone, scraps of cloth and leather, and a small pot of glue. You can determine the age and origin of objects, even if you have only a few pieces remaining from the original. RPG Tinker is a tool for building NPCs for D&D 5e. Here you can choose a template, abilities scores, and hitdices. With that we generate an NPC ready to use in battle! You can even print/pdf it! The tool is under construction and receiving new features each day. It probably has some (or many) errors in it. Help improving it by giving your feedback! Tool crafting in Tinkers' Construct is achieved using tool parts, combined in a Tool Station. The various parts of tools can be crafted from two types of materials: You must first start off by crafting a Blank Pattern, and turning it into the desired part of a tool on the Stencil Table.