Monstrozoologist (5e Background)

Monstrozoologist

By woong seok Kim

A monstrozoologist is a scientist dedicated to researching and classifying all things monstrous. They are almost always out in the field, frantically scribbling down notes about monsters' behaviors, habits, and potentialities. Some are travelers who roam the globe to experience a variety of creatures, while others may opt to return home after a day in the field to a study brimming with books, journals, and loose papers. Regardless of their travel distance, many go to sometimes dangerous lengths in the pursuit of monstrous knowledge. Any piece of information that helps one unlock the secrets of monsters is coveted above all else by any well-made monstrozoologist.

Society's view on monstrozoologists is extremely divisive. On one hand, many people regard them as completely necessary, harmless individuals who work for the betterment of the safety of the typical citizen. On the other, they are seen as quack conspiracy theorists who steal money guised as grants from governments and other centralized organizations. Thus, even the most ethical and proper monstrozoologist is bound to face scrutiny and criticism in his lifetime.

Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling and either Nature or Religion

Languages: Choose any one common language and one from the following exotic choices: Celestial, Draconic, Deep Speech, Sylvan, or Undercommon

Tool Proficiencies: Choose any one artisan's tool or gaming set

Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a small knife, a journal, a set of charcoal pencils, various literature about monsters, a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp

Area of Monstrozoology Expertise

You have dedicated most of your life to the profession, or perhaps you are just a fledgling in the field; regardless, you are knowledgeable in a specific subset of monsters. When choosing an area of expertise, ask yourself the following questions: why have you become so obsessed with those monsters? Are you a hunter or protector of a certain society and need to know everything about your specific prey? Are you looking to master and control these types of beings? Or perhaps you need knowledge for a mission or personal interest? An important note is to always keep location in mind; it would not make much sense for someone who lives in the highest mountains to be extremely familiar with monsters of the Underdark.

d8	Type of Monster
1	Beast
2	Celestial
3	Dragon
4	Fey
5	Monstrosity
6	Ooze
7	Plant
8	Undead

Feature: Expertise Snap

When you encounter a creature in your area of monstrozoology expertise, and you are not familiar with it, you may attempt an Animal Handling, Nature, or Religion check (your DM decides). Depending on the outcome, you may stand to gain surface-level facts about the monster. Examples of these facts would be typical coloration, natural weapons, eating and sleeping habits, or abnormalities with the monster you are inspecting. These facts will never be information for the DM's eyes only, such as Armor Class, Immunities, or Hit Points. Information you gain in this way may be incorrect or misleading depending on your check. Regardless of the outcome, you take note of it in a journal or notepad and believe it to be true until proven otherwise. Your information may be corrected through typical proper field research or experimentation with the monster.

Suggested Characteristics

As a monstrozoologist, your personality trait is a quirk you may have picked up in the field. Your bond is almost certainly associated with either your youth or with the knowledge you hope to acquire through researching. Your ideal is no doubt related to how you view the quest for monstrozoological knowledge--perhaps as a worthy goal in itself, or maybe as a means to a desirable end. Finally, your flaw is something other scientists may find unnecessary, unintelligent, or possibly even unethical.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I have a knack for avoiding danger when interacting with monsters in my expertise, whether it be soothing them or simply always being mindful.
2	I have surprisingly good mimicry skills when it comes to monsters I'm familiar with.
3	I have endless quips and puns about monsters.
4	In order to constantly and alertly research, I have a personal hoard of energy-giving supplements. And, no, you may not have any.
5	I go against commonly-acknowledged intelligence, following my gut instinct in the search for alternative monstrozoological facts.
6	Due to a lot of practice in my journals, I have become adept in caricature sketching.
7	My sleep schedule is nonexistent, as I perform my best research at night, but I share my findings with colleagues in the day.
8	I’m convinced that people are always trying to steal my books and research notes.

d6	Ideal
1	Understanding. Through the knowledge of those unlike us, we may begin to draw the lines of our interconnectedness. (Good)
2	Conservation. It is up to us in higher positions of power to ensure the survival of creatures unlike us. (Good)
3	Weaponization. Monsters must be utilized in ways useful to us as tools. (Evil)
4	Profit. Through my tedious research, I hope to achieve riches far beyond my current means. (Neutral)
5	Occultism. My insight in my area of monstrozoology expertise helps aid the one I worship. (Lawful)
6	Self-Gain. Regardless of the means, my end is every piece of knowledge from every monster I cross paths with. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	I was once almost slain by a monster. I keep a trophy of it with me to remember not everything is benevolent.
2	My loved one disappeared into the night, and people blame a particular type of monster. I will give my everything through research to find if it's the culprit.
3	I am blackmailed into researching monsters for a shadow organization. I work furiously to break free from the obligation.
4	A distant relative passed down a dusty journal filled with unfinished monstrozoology research. I plan on completing it and adding some of my own entries.
5	I have a trinket box filled with specimen samples of all sorts of monsters. With each monster I complete research on, I take a piece of them with me to celebrate and reminisce.
6	My family's legacy is tied to an order that seeks to dominate the world using the untapped power of monsters. Whether I like it or not, I am bound by blood to carry out the same will.

d6	Flaw
1	While I excel in understanding monsters, I fail to contribute properly in social settings.
2	A typical reaction to monsters would be to run and hide. Even with the most fearsome ones, I tend to stay nearby and take notes.
3	My ambition sometimes leads to the endangerment or sabotage of fellow monstrozoologists.
4	I believe many monstrozoologists perform unethical experiments on monsters, and I bear the guilt even though I'm innocent.
5	I believe my own research is greater than anyone else's to a fault. It takes a lot of convincing to prove otherwise.
6	My trust in monsters can blind me to the risks I take in the field.

Variant Monstrozoologist: Monstrozoologist Society Member

Some monstrozoologists belong to a global centralized organization with numerous regional sects around the world. You may have a membership to one of these sects, in which case you are granted a spread of benefits in return for your continuous dedicated research handed in every quota period. These may include housing at the sect, free or reduced prices on research and traveling equipment, or small research grants.

Should you be a member of this organization, you have a working knowledge of your sect's personnel and hierarchy, and you know how to navigate those connections and act accordingly. Additionally, you are likely to gain preferential treatment at other sects across the world.

5.00

(one vote)

---

Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Backgrounds