"Professions" - Rules for creating slightly more advanced LotFP characters

A classic situation that comes up when a player who is used to modern D&D is recruited for a game of B/X-derived D&D is when they tell the referee that they want to play a 'Dwarf Cleric' or a 'Halfling Fighter' or a 'Barbarian'.  Usually this leads to difficult conversation where the ref attempts to explain to the new recruit the concept of 'race-as-class', and that B/X D&D doesn't have any of the flashy classes from AD&D/3e etc., often leaving them confused or disappointed.  The following is my idea for how we can alleviate this disappointment and also make character creation a little bit more interesting without disturbing the delicate framework of the B/X rules.

The basic idea is that when you make your character and choose their class, you also choose or roll for a 'Profession', which provides a small, thematically appropriate boon.  Four of these professions are based on the four standard classes, while the others are based on classes from modern D&D.  This way you can simulate most of the possible character concepts that exist in modern D&D.  Here are some examples:
Paladin = Fighter + Acolyte
Druid = Cleric + Ranger
Dwarf Cleric = Dwarf + Acolyte
Elf Rogue = Elf + Burglar
Halfling Bard = Halfling + Bard

Some of the professions are restricted for certain classes.

Professions

Roll or choose

	Fighter d8	Cleric d6	Magic-User d6	Specialist d8	Dwarf d6	Elf d6	Halfling d8
Warrior	-	1	1	1	-	-	1
Acolyte	1	-	-	2	1	-	2
Apprentice	2	-	-	3	-	-	3
Burglar	3	2	2	-	2	1	4
Barbarian	4	3	3	4	3	2	5
Ranger	5	4	4	5	4	3	6
Monk	6	5	5	6	5	4	7
Bard	7	6	6	7	6	5	8

Warrior

• +1 to hit
  
• +1 hp
  

Acolyte

• Learn three 1^st level Cleric spells, prepare/cast one per day
  
• Use Cleric scrolls
  

Apprentice

• Learn two random 1^st level MU spells, prepare/cast one per day
  
• Use MU scrolls
  

Burglar

• +1-in-6 to Tinker, Sleight of Hand, Stealth skills
  

Barbarian

• Rage mode
  
  • Max damage all melee attacks
    
  • Must attack something every round
    
  • Must pass poison save to turn off
    
  • Take 1 damage per round
    
  • Remain conscious until -3hp
    

Ranger

• +1-in-6 to Bushcraft skill
  
• Animal companion
  

Monk

• Unarmed attacks deal 1d6 damage
  
• Perform one slightly impossible martial arts maneuver per day
  

Bard

• Musical proficiency
  
• Followers have +1d4 morale
  
• +1 Charisma
  

Notes
This assumes you are using LotFP rules.  If you're using a different ruleset it shouldn't be too hard to convert for.  An important thing to remember would be that in rulesets where armour and weapon usage is restricted based on class, people who choose the Warrior profession should have the same weapon/armour proficiency as Fighters.