Apothecary, Variant (5e Background)

Apothecary (5e Background)

The gods of healing, life and medicine smile on those who use cleverness, the natural world, and medical knowledge to mend wounds, as magic is a limited resource. While they are not always a part of a god’s clergy, their teachings have influenced alchemists, physicians, apothecaries and doctors all across the Multiverse, and as such, structured groups will share the colors of the gods of such teachings.

Skill Proficiencies: Apothecaries rely on their ability to assess wounds and use their knowledge of plants, medicine and anatomy to mend the wounds of others, since many will not have reliable forms of magical healing, outside of rare occasions. As such, they are proficient in Medicine, but may choose between Investigation, Nature or Survival as a secondary skill proficiency.

Tool Proficiencies: As a staple of their line of work, the Herbalism Kit allows an apothecary to create their own healing potions, or antidotes, along with other forms of healing, in addition to a Healer's Kit.

Languages: Apothecaries will very commonly deal with people from all walks of life, and if an Apothecary cannot assess the problem or communicate with a patient, their work becomes difficult to say the least. They have access to one bonus language, which is best used in a common language.

Equipment: In addition to always carrying supplies for their line of work, primarily a surgical mask, leather gloves, and a Healer's Kit, an Apothecary will be donned with Traveler's clothing and a belt pouch containing 10 gp for the various expenses that medicine requires, growing from the gratitude of others.

Apothecary Role

d6	Apothecary Role
1	Village Doctor
2	Part of a small group of Town Doctors
3	Medic for an Army
4	A wandering Apothecary
5	Member of a Healing Clergy
6	A member of a City Hospital
7	A Midwife, Dentist, Psychiatrist, or other Specialist Doctor
8	A disgraced or failed Doctor

Feature: Hand of the Healing Gods

As a medical professional, you can volunteer as a medic or nurse in times of need. This gains you favour and trust among folk, who are often in need of help. You can expect to receive healing for your party from Clergies of gods of life, who act as doctors, or other medical facilities, and are often willing to lend their own supplies for you to work with, if available, and even offer rewards in the form of payment or free lodging.

Suggested Characteristics

The world is a cruel and brutal place, and people are always looking for cures, help, and sympathy, an apothecary deals in all three, and with a divine sense of right, for most Apothecaries. Atheistic ones exist, and can still pledge for the good of others.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I meticulously sift through my equipment when I am bored, ensuring I know what I have and where it is located when emergency happens.
2	I show great compassion to people I barely know if they are injured, speaking in calming and gentle tones.
3	I show great compassion to people I barely know if they are injured, speaking in calming and gentle tones.
4	I am all too eager to learn from other Apothecaries and doctors, they may practice methods I don't know about.
5	If I can find a method that doesn't use my supply, I can use my supply on much needier people.
6	I am all too enthusiastic to study the various plant life of the world, and even the multiverse, for beneficial properties.
7	am always the first to rush in and offer my support, be it for generosity, or for a good first impression.
8	am always the first to rush in and offer my support, be it for generosity, or for a good first impression.

d6	Ideal
1	'Wellbeing: My line of work is not an easy one, people are always in need of medical aid, and I give it willingly if I can, all to see them safe again. (Good)
2	Oath: I swore to mend and heal those who needed aid, and regardless of who needs it, I shall deliver. (Lawful)
3	Experimentation: Not every medical treatment has been found, more are being invented and discovered, I just have to find mine. (Any)
4	Sadism: I have an odd enjoyment for the screams I cause in my treatments, and the fact I can get away with rough treatment. (Evil)
5	Profit: I'm in this to be able to keep myself fed, and people are always needing medical attention. It's quite clever if I say so myself. (Neutral)
6	Improvisation: Rules are for cowards, if it works, it works, and I can adapt to any situation with what tools I have. (Chaotic)

d6	Bond
1	The people I mend and look after are like family to me. Until they're ready to leave, I will protect and care for them.
2	I one day hope to create or discover the next big innovation in Medicine and be immortalized in it.
3	My mentor is a clever and compassionate soul, whom I owe my life and work to.
4	The clergy/hospital/village I worked alongside will always be my home, and I hope to share my findings with them, when I can.
5	I made a promise to mend the blights and pains of the world, and I at least intend to mend it from those I meet.
6	People claim that Apothecaries are outmatched by Clerics and Druids, I intend to prove them wrong.

d6	Flaw
1	I cannot always save people, and the thought scares me. I don't want to be a failure.
2	Those who rely on magical healing earn my pity, I know they're incapable of helping others without their magic.
3	In my pursuit for the wellbeing of others, I have forgotten myself and my mental health.
4	I don't have a substance abuse problem! I'm ensuring my medicines are working properly!
5	Sometimes, I wonder if the people I heal are better left off dead. Their life is in my hands.
6	I don't know everything off by heart, and try to wing it until I have a solution.

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