Arkwright

Archaic Old English term for a person who manufactures Chests. A carpenter who specializes in chests, trunks, coffers, boxes with lids, cabinets, etc. May dabble in locksmithing and metalwork if they make their own locks and hinges. Probably an engraver / woodcarver to at least some degree as chests were often significant and prestigious items of furniture… one of very few major pieces of furniture in a household in some eras.

Sources

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia

Game and Story Use

• In a fantasy world like most D&D campaigns, there's a lot of treasure chests out there, some with elaborate traps (such as the classic poison needle), magical wards and curses, made of mithril or adamantium, etc. So an arkwright in those settings is likely to have picked up a few extra skills beyond what is historically standard, and a master craftsman probably has a few levels of thief and/or wizard on their character sheet.
• Some of the non-judaeochristian versions of the flood myths have survivors build a chest, not a boat. Such as Deucalion, the Noah-equivalent of Greek Mythology, for example.
  • That might explain the etymology of Arkwright? Regardless of the derivation of the word, it suggests some fun crossover for puzzles, metaphors, poppet magic, etc, where a small wooden box is a stand-in for a large ship in some way.
    • Bonus theme points if it's a ship that represents the last chance of survival for some group.
  • We should also all recall that childhood confusion between Noah's Ark and the Ark of The Covenant.
  • And/or cross-over with Pandora's Box?
  • Don't suppose there is an etymological link to the Latin arx - a citadel is there? (Online sources suggest an "extended Noachian sense as a place of refuge). Hmmm … this could give you another flood narrative…