Arcana Spy, Variant (5e Background)

Arcana Spy

You’re the reason wizards distrust other wizards. A previous occupation of yours involved copying spells from the spellbooks of the best wizards and selling them to the highest bidder, whether it be another wizard or the wizard who owned the spell originally.

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana and Stealth

Tool Proficiencies: Calligrapher's Supplies

Languages: One exotic language of your choice

Equipment: a Grappling Hook, Hempen Rope, a Scholar's Pack, a 100 page journal, Traveler's Clothes, a Hooded Cloak and a Small Pouch containing 15gp.

Feature: Language Scribe

When you enter a ruin or dungeon, you can correctly ascertain its original purpose and determine its builders, whether those were dwarves, elves, humans, yuan-ti, or some other known race. In addition, you can determine the monetary value of art objects more than a century old.

Characteristics

d8	Personality Trait
1	I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong.
2	I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me.
3	The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuable-or where such things could be hidden.
4	I like to talk at length about my profession.
5	I don’t part with my money easily and will haggle tirelessly to get the best deal possible.
6	The odds of fulfilling a mission don't matter to me, so don't bother trying to tell me.
7	The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can't do it.
8	I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can’t help it— I’m a perfectionist.

d6	Ideal
1	Generosity. My talents were given to me so that I could use them to benefit the world. (Good)
2	People. I’m committed to the people I care about, not to ideals. (Neutral)
3	Greed. I'm doing it for the money. (Evil)
4	Honor. I don’t steal from others in the trade. (Lawful)
5	Freedom. Everyone should be free to pursue his or her own livelihood. (Chaotic)
6	Aspiration. I work hard to be the best there is at my craft. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	I’m trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor.
2	My ill-gotten gains go to support my family.
3	Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back.
4	I will become the greatest thief that ever lived.
5	I’m guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it.
6	I once sold a powerful spell to a cult. That was a mistake

d6	Flaw
1	I'm naturally untrustworthy.
2	Being overly cautious is just part of the job.
3	If there’s a plan, I’ll forget it. If I don’t forget it, I’ll ignore it.
4	I can't socialize at all.
5	I’m never satisfied with what I have— I always want more.
6	So long as someone has gold, I don't mind selling to them.

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