Sage's Assistant (5e Background)

Sage's Assistant

You spent time as an assistant in service to a sage possessed of great knowledge. During this time you may have preformed simple chores or more important tasks on behalf of your master. Perhaps you embarked upon secretive missions or aided directly with their studies; scouring great libraries for hidden knowledge or scrutinising crumbling scrolls from a bygone era.

When you choose this background consider your reasons for becoming an adventurer. Did your master send you on an epic quest to retrieve a mystical item or rediscover a hidden knowledge or were you cast out after a slight, real or imagined, soured your relationship? Could it be that your master has died or gone missing, leaving you alone and in the possession of a great secret or magical item? Mayhap the reason is more mundane and you simply wished for a change of scenery? Whatever the cause adventure now awaits and your past experiences can only aid you along the way.

Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from: Arcana, History or Investigation.

Tool Proficiencies: A tool related to your vocation(unless another bonus is listed).

Languages: One of your choice(two if your chosen vocation is Linguistics).

Equipment: A letter of employment or recommendation fixed with your master's seal, a quill, a bottle of ink, a small bag of sand, two sheaves of parchment, a set of common clothes and a belt pouch containing 10 gp.

Vocation

During your employ you became knowledgeable on a certain subject, likely related to your master's own studies. You may have studied under your master's tutelage, poured over ancient tomes in your spare time or simply picked things up during your many chores. Perhaps you were actually a terrible student who cheated your way into your master's graces; plagiarising your fellows at every turn. Your master might have been less well known in his area and you had to forge signatures and other documents in order to access the more fastidious libraries. However you came by this knowledge roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below to determine your vocation.

d8	Vocation	Vocational Bonus
1	Alchemy	Proficiency with alchemist’s supplies
2	Arcana	You can cast the Prestidigitation cantrip
3	Architecture	Proficiency with carpenter’s or mason's tools
4	Astronomy	Proficiency with navigator’s tools
5	Fraud	Proficiency with a forgery kit
6	Herbology	Proficiency with a herbalism kit
7	History	Proficiency with calligrapher's supplies
8	Linguistics	You know an additional language

Feature: Renowned Master

Your master is well known in many intellectual circles and his contemporaries may know you by sight or reputation. If this is the case they might provide you with food, water and basic lodgings for a short time as well as answer any questions related to their field. They may even employ your skills for a short time, if to do so would not displeasure your master or conflict with their employment of you.

Suggested Characteristics

A sage can often seem aloof and detached from the rest of the world but after your many years of service you have grown to understand their eccentricities and perhaps developed and adopted a few of your own. The tendencies and temperaments of an assistant's master will likely have long lasting effects upon their own disposition; for instance, many sages will spend their entire lives in study and their assistant will likely hold the power of knowledge in similarly high regard. Sages are often secretive and possessive of the information they acquire but others likewise love nothing more than to share their learnings with the word. Roll the relevant dice or choose from the options in the tables below to establish how your life as a sage's assistant has shaped your outlook on the world.

d6	Personality Trait
1	I love explaining things but often come off as condescending and patronising. That means to talk down to people.
2	I could debate philosophies for hours but struggle with the small talk and niceties of casual conversation.
3	I love to read and can think of little else more enjoyable than sitting down to pour over a thick volume or dusty tome.
4	I take a calm considered approach to problem solving and like to consider every angle before I make a move.
5	I have a penchant for pedantry and perpetuating preposterously protracted parlance. I also like alliteration.
6	I followed in my master's footsteps and can be exceedingly eccentric. Some find me endearing but more see me as aggravating.

d6	Ideal
1	Knowledge. Re-discovering ancient secrets and unravelling the mysteries of antiquity are their own reward. (Neutral)
2	Curiosity. There is so much to discover and learn in this capricious world; if curiosity aims to kill the cat then I shall need all nine lives and then some. (Chaotic)
3	Duty. An assistants charge is one of solemn duty and care, faculties that can be applied to many other aspects of life. (Lawful)
4	Growth. Knowledge is a means to an end. The pursuit of learning can only lead to the betterment of oneself and others. (Good)
5	By any means. It takes a great deal to become a sage's assistant and markedly more to maintain the position, so what if you have to step on a few toes along the way. (Evil)
6	Efficacious. Assistants don't always get the respect we deserve but rest assured, without us nothing would get done. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	My master taught me everything I know, I owe them a great deal.
2	The other assistants and servants made my service bearable, even enjoyable at times. I will always remember them fondly.
3	A fellow assistant once stole a rare artefact I had uncovered and presented it to our master as their own discovery. I will never forgive such a transgression.
4	My field of study is of great importance to me, not just as an intellectual but as a point of pride that I have helped further its advancement.
5	I have made some questionable decisions in an effort to further my studies. Now I must atone for my actions and can only hope my endeavours are deemed sufficient.
6	My master left an item of great importance in my care and I must now strive to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.

d6	Flaw
1	I can be quite pushy and controlling when trying to help people.
2	Those above me always know better, whether that be my master or a more senior adventurer.
3	I put in the work so I deserve the reward and will do whatever it takes to get it.
4	I can be rather timid and hesitant to act for fear of making a mistake.
5	I base my self worth on the opinions of others, especially those of my master.
6	I have little respect for those of higher status, following the work with my master.

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