Occult Investigator (5e Background)
Occult Investigator
The occult has always held a draw for you, subtle at first, becoming more insistent as you grew up. An esoteric branch of magic, even those who study the arcane arts in detail have scant knowledge of its mechanics. For better or worse, you have taken it upon yourself to explore its mysteries, wherever they may lead you, and to whatever end.
Skill Proficiencies: Investigation and either Arcana or Religion
Languages: Two of your choice. (or one language and one tool proficiency of your choice.)
Equipment: A magnifying glass, a holy symbol of your chosen deity, a souvenir taken from a cult, traveler's clothes, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp.
Specialization
| d6 | Specialization |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dark Magic |
| 2 | Otherworldly |
| 3 | Undead |
| 4 | Demons |
| 5 | Devils |
| 6 | Aberrations |
Feature: Cultist Contact
You have friendly contacts within the world of occult investigation who are able to provide information unattainable through regular knowledge networks. Whenever you are in an inhabited area, such as a town or a city, you can reach out to these contacts to try and learn something related to the occult, making an investigation check with advantage to attempt to glean the desired information.
Alternate Feature: Reformed Cultist
You were once seduced by a zealous cult and joined its ranks, something you now realize was a bad idea. Once you saw what was happening to you, you left and have never looked back, taking what you learned with you. Any religion checks relating to your cult's knowlege domain (i.e. your specialization) can be made with advantage.
Suggested Characteristics
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me. |
| 2 | I cheat at games of chance. |
| 3 | I've spent so long in the cult that I have little practical experience dealing with people in the outside world. |
| 4 | I don't pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds |
| 5 | I put on new identities like clothes. |
| 6 | I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong. |
| 7 | I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy |
| 8 | I see omens in every event and action. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Charity. I always try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good) |
| 2 | Efficiency. Doing whatever it takes to get the job done. (Neutral) |
| 3 | Faith. I trust that my deity will guide my actions. I have faith that if I work hard, things will go well. (Lawful) |
| 4 | Power. Use what you know of the occult to gain power of your own. (Evil) |
| 5 | Fire with fire. Use the same power of what you are fighting against itself. (Any) |
| 6 | Change. We must help bring about the changes the gods are constantly working in the world. (Chaotic) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I will someday get revenge on the cult leader who sacrificed a loved one for a ritual. |
| 2 | I owe everything to my mentor-a horrible person who's probably rotting in jail somewhere. |
| 3 | Everything I do is for the common people. |
| 4 | I come from a noble family that have been given a bad name because of me. I aim to clean that name of my wrong doings. |
| 5 | Something important was taken from me, and I aim to get it back. |
| 6 | I will become the greatest investigator that ever lived. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | If there's a plan, I'll forget it. If I don't forget it, I'll ignore it. |
| 2 | I have a "tell" that reveals when I'm lying. |
| 3 | I'm convinced that no one could ever fool me the way I fool others. |
| 4 | I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely. |
| 5 | I can't resist a pretty face. |
| 6 | Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life. |
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