Detective (5e Background)

Detective

In a world of magic and monsters, crime is an ever-present factor. From petty theives to kidnapping fey, the work of a detective is never finished. But why did you become a detective? Do you, or did you, have a partner? Does your work pay well, or do you struggle to make ends meet? What was your breakout case, or are you still trying to make your name known? How have you dealt with the stress of your job?

Skill Proficiencies: Choose 2 from the following: Sleight of Hand, Investigation, Insight, Perception, or Survival.

Tool Proficiencies: Choose 1: Forgery kit, Disguise kit.

Languages: 1 common language of your choice.

Equipment: Lamp, Hempen Rope 50 ft, either a forgery or disguise kit, bag of ball bearings, a quill, an ink well, and a pouch with 15 gold pieces.

Feature: Can I ask you some questions?

You’re a detective, investigation is what you do. Innocent people are typically more willing to talk to you when it pertains to the administration of justice, and high ranking servants of the law may come to you for help more often.

Feature: Weathered

You’ve seen enough of the criminal underworld and put enough law-breakers behind bars to know how they work. You can blend in with the crowd a little easier, and you pack innocuously enough that you’re less likely to be stolen from.

Suggested Characteristics

The life of a detective is filled with sleepless nights and stressful deliberation. This comes with a slurry of mental and physical fatigue.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I’m not actually a great detective, I just get lucky.
2	I don’t like people knowing anything about my real identity.
3	I forget useless information, including common knowledge.
4	I’m not that strong, I’m just used to pain.
5	Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my daily dose.
6	I don’t get much sleep, but when I do it’s impossible to wake me.
7	I may act extroverted, but it’s just that, an act.
8	I see the face of someone close to me in every victim.

d6	Ideal
1	Justice. I want the law to triumph. (Lawful)
2	Pain. I love watching people get punished harshly, especially for crimes they didn’t commit. (Evil)
3	Comfort. I don’t want people to suffer. (Good)
4	Tracking. I’m looking for someone personally. (Any)
5	Justice? I’m the only one who can administer true justice. (Chaotic)
6	Wealth. I’m just in it for the money. (Neutral)

d6	Bond
1	I own my own detective agency.
2	I’ll do whatever’s necessary to close a case.
3	I can’t turn down a case.
4	Fey are almost always one of my top suspects.
5	I have a decent network of informants.
6	I’ve been tracking the same perp for years.

d6	Flaw
1	I chase tail faster than I chase leads.
2	The memories of mistakes and people I couldn’t save I made keep me up at night.
3	I despise criminals, and true justice entails their death.
4	I can’t let a case go, even if it’s a dead end.
5	I have a debilitating reliance on a substance I can barely afford.
6	I see the face of someone important to me in every criminal.

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