Burials of Teganshire post 14 of 30

It’s now time for some 5E Backgrounds! And for an added benefit, if you have D&D Beyond, you can use their homebrew option to add the backgrounds to your homebrew collection and apply it to your character sheet.

If you use pen and paper, then you’re good to go with the PHB and this blog post!

Mercenary Company Forward Scout

D&D Beyond: https://www.dndbeyond.com/backgrounds/55913-mercenary-company-forward-scout

 Soldiers that can think on their feet, sneak around, and survive on their own easily find good-paying jobs in any mercenary company. Rather than mold them into conformists, these individuals become forward scouts and spies.

It’s a rewarding but challenging duty. If the intelligence gathered is wrong, whole armies can be crushed by an enemy with superior intel. Lives are on the line, and in the wilderness in between settlements, often the weather, hungry animals, and monsters are more dangerous than enemy forces.

 Skill Proficiencies: Perception, Survival, Nature

Tool Proficiencies: None.

Languages: None.

Equipment: An insignia of rank, a trophy taken from a fallen enemy (a dagger, piece of uniform, or piece of a banner) and a set of traveler’s clothes.

Specialty

During your time as a mercenary soldier, you were, or still are, a forward scout or spy. Roll a 1d8 or pick your specialty.

Feature: Mercenary Military Rank

You have a military rank from your career as a mercenary. Mercenaries and people loyal to your former military organization still recognize your authority and influence, and they defer to you if they are of a lower rank. You can invoke your rank to exert influence over other soldiers and requisition simple equipment or horses for temporary use. You can also usually gain access to friendly military encampments and fortresses where your rank is recognized.

As long as you are not actively opposing other organizations in the field, other military organizations will likely provide some aid and logistics in hopes you will seek employment with them. Standing armies or a noble’s soldiers are less likely to render you aid but may be favorable to you if your company provided assistance to them in the past.

Suggested Characteristics

Forward scouts are a rare breed in any military organization. They must independently adjust their immediate goals out in the field, as they do not have access to the chain-of-command. For this reason, they are usually given broad orders and expected to wing it if necessary. Forward scouts are encouraged not to get captured, and if they do, they are expected to free or kill themselves before interrogation.

 

Variant Mercenary Company Forward Scout: Standing Army Forward Scout

Soldiers that can think on their feet, sneak around, and survive on their own are coveted by lords, city watches, and standing armies. Quick to hide, quick to run, but also quick to take care of a problem within their capabilities, the standing army forward scout enjoys both the benefits of army life coupled with the freedom to execute orders without anyone looking over their shoulder.

Variant Feature: Military Rank

You have a military rank from your career as a soldier. Soldiers and people loyal to your former military organization still recognize your authority and influence, and they defer to you if they are of a lower rank. You can invoke your rank to exert influence over other soldiers and requisition simple equipment or horses for temporary use. You can also usually gain access to friendly military encampments and fortresses where your rank is recognized.

As long as you are not actively opposing other organizations in the field, other military organizations will likely provide some aid and logistics as a matter of honor and respect for your former or current position.

Imperial University Scholar

D&D Beyond: https://www.dndbeyond.com/backgrounds/54023-imperial-university-scholar

You are an Imperial Scholar. You have studied scrolls, read a multitude of books, and listened to exciting and intellect expanding lectures. You have access to vast libraries in the Imperial system, and your University Papers give you access to private libraries, too.

In the Imperial University system, you were obliged to study Arcana, History, and Religion as minimum requisites.

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, History, Religion

Languages: Draconic and Elvish is a requirement in Imperial Universities.

Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, Imperial University Identification Papers, a set of fine clothes, and a pouch containing 10 GP.

Specialty

To determine the nature of your scholarly training, roll a d8, or choose from the options in the table below.

Feature: Researcher Extraordinaire

When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign.

Suggested Characteristics

Imperial University Scholars are defined by their extensive academic and intellectual studies, and their characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to intellectualism and philosophy, an Imperial University Scholar values knowledge and intelligence. Using a blend of practical and intellectual knowledge, Imperial University Scholars are actually quite dangerous in any conflict if given enough time to prepare or contemplate outcomes.

Royal University Scholar

D&D Beyond: https://www.dndbeyond.com/backgrounds/137425-royal-university-scholar

You are a Royal University Scholar and are recognized as a learned theologian of the religions in the Kingdom. You have extensively studied faiths and cults of the realm using scrolls, books, and instructions from prominent religious authorities, both living and dead. You are trained in the identification of planar and otherworld creatures and entities. A medallion signifying successful graduation gives you access to church libraries and reliquaries, and the rights and privileges afforded to learned clergy.

In the Royal University system, you were obliged to study Religion, History, and Arcana as minimum requisites.

 Skill Proficiencies: Religion, Arcana, History

Languages: Celestial

Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, Royal University Medallion, a set of fine clothes, and a pouch containing 10 GP.

 Specialty

To determine the nature of your scholarly training, roll a d8, or choose from the options in the table below.

Feature: Theologian

Your theology background from the Kingdom’s premier Royal University gives you special privileges by granting a social rank. You have the same status as clergy, even if not affiliated with a church. You also have the right to pursue religious libraries, even if the works are not deemed proper for the general clergy. You can also examine any reliquaries sequestered away from the public.

These privileges occasionally come with obligations. Nobility can call on you to answer a theological question or answer historical questions with religious connotations. Furthermore, your proficiency with the esoteric Celestial language also comes at a cost. Some celestials can’t or won’t communicate except in Celestial. A Royal University Scholar may be called upon to translate or perform interpreter duties (which, depending on the situation, could be hazardous).

Suggested Characteristics

Royal University Scholars are defined by their extensive academic and philosophical, religious studies, and their characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to theology and philosophy, a Royal University Scholar values knowledge and wisdom. Using a blend of practical and philosophical insight, a Royal University Scholar can provide answers and direction to various theological arguments.

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