Mariners live their lives at sea, waking to the smell of salt air and falling asleep at night to the sound of the waves. Some mariners are hardworking, simple sailors who love life at sea. Others are ruthless buccaneers, bent on gaining personal wealth through force and skill. Mariners may do quite well for themselves on land, but they always long for the freedom of the ocean.

Many individuals become mariners in order to see the wide world, while others set sail in search of treasure or to avenge themselves on an enemy. Since situations can change rapidly on board ship, the mariner must be prepared to face a variety of dangers, from hurricanes to fire, starvation to mutiny. The mariner learns to adapt quickly to changing circumstances in order to survive.

Mariners are most comfortable when in view of the sea, and often become dispirited when they venture too far inland. They are quick to react to danger and sudden threats. They are not ruled by emotion, but think through any situation, then act accordingly. Those who live at sea are accustomed to the hard life and adopt a pragmatic outlook in order to survive. To the landlubber, such an attitude can seem callous or even ruthless.

Mariners are often of neutral alignment, learning to accept difficult situations they cannot change. They are rarely chaotic, since life aboard ship requires structure and discipline.

Mariners are not generally deeply religious, though most are superstitious. Mariners, even those of non-evil alignment, honor Zeboim, in the belief that their offerings and prayers will placate the capricious Sea Queen. Mariners of good alignment may also revere Habbakuk, the Fisher King, while those of neutral alignment may pay homage to Chislev, whose command over nature extends to the ocean.

Mariners generally come from coastaldwelling families, who have a long-standing tradition of serving aboard ship. Mariners may also hire onto a ship in order to escape problems on land, either running from the law or trying to conceal dangerous secrets. Many mariners are professional sailors, forming part of a navy, in which case they may come from a noble family with a history of naval officer service.

Some mariners come into their careers by being pressed into service against their will. A captain who is short his full complement of crewmen will send out his officers with gangs of sailors to "press" men into service. A man may be drinking in a tavern one night, only to wake up the next morning with a cracked skull on board a ship already many leagues out at sea. Others mariners are sent to sea as punishment for crimes or may be forced to serve in ships as slaves.

Minotaurs are the most respected and feared mariners in Ansalon. All minotaurs are expected to serve on board ship at some point in their lives. Ogres, too, have held maritime endeavors in the past; half-ogres especially are common around the Blood Sea.

The humans of Northern Ergoth and Saifhum are known for their seamanship, with entire families serving on board sailing ships. Other human cultures produce mariners, also. Those nations whose cities have active ports engaged in the sea trade are the most likely to do so. Palanthas and Sanction are good examples, as was once fabled Tarsis, until the Cataclysm robbed it of its harbor.

Elves rarely become mariners, since they feel most at home in their beloved woodlands and because there is a superstition among mariners that elves aboard ship are bad luck. Even so, the Silvanesti have long had a House Mariner whose role in elven society is to build and sail graceful coastal ships, but it is a minor house with only a handful of families. Sea elves, despite their aquatic environment, rarely produce mariners because they would rather be swimming in the ocean, not sailing upon it. Half-elves, especially those whose elven parent was a sea elf, are much more likely to become mariners.

Gnomes of appropriate guilds sometimes become mariners, designing new and impressive ships and experimental submersibles. Dwarves never become mariners, and think anyone who chooses the life of a sailor must be crazy. Kender are more likely to be found at sea as passengers and stowaways, not sailors, but are known.

While at sea, most mariners work well with other classes. Rogues and bards generally acquire their sea legs quickly and possess a broad range of skills that mariners admire. Mariners also appreciate the strong sword arms of fighters, rangers, and barbarians. Clerics and arcane spellcasters are not generally found aboard ships, but their magic is appreciated and utilized when available. Paladins and Knights of Solamnia rarely associate with mariners, for the paladin's righteous code and the knight's adherence to the Oath and the Measure often conflict with the mariner's more pragmatic view of life.

Like the bard, the mariner brings a variety of skills and abilities to an adventuring group, while not specializing in anything. A mariner's abilities work best in support positions to other characters, although like the ranger they can step up to combat when needed. While the mariner's class features are useful to adventurers on land, they are unparalleled while out at sea.