Background: Inventor

So, as you may have read in the worldbuilding blog I have on this site, I have been spending hours working over a reskinning of the RAW for D&D 5E that allows players to work with any of the core classes in a world without magic. One of the primary ways I have gone about that is the use of technological descriptions of magical effects. It's not a magic missile, it's a seeker drone. It's not a breath weapon, it's a flame thrower. Soon I found myself making technological excuses for magic in D&D in my head while riding on my bike or eating lunch. The Inventor was one of the many, many, ideas to come out of this line of thought. Though the Inventor is by no means only available as a caster, the background gives the player an opportunity to describe many of their super-human powers and strengths as feats of their own mind, rather than simply magic.

(Download the PDF here)

“Damn you, there are plenty of people in the world spending their entire lives looking for new ways to kill each other. I'll not apologize for being the one soul on the planet who is more interested in innovations in fields other than murder.”

INVENTOR

Inventor. Architect. Creator. Innovator. These are the names by which you are known. In your laboratory or workshop you have labored innumerable hours to make the brilliant designs within your mind a reality. There is no problem that cannot be solved with a little creative thinking and some trial and error gadgetry.

Some have called you brilliant and written in their journals that your inventions will change the world. Others have called you absurd, laughing with their friends in taverns over your latest ridiculous “success”. And there are those that know you to be terrifying, having seen your creations in action.

Skill Proficiencies: Choose any two Intelligence skills

Tool Proficiencies: Choose any three artisan’s tools

Equipment: A set of fine clothes, tinkerer’s tools and two other tool kits, a flask of oil, a chain, a piece of chalk, three sheets of parchment, a 1 ounce bottle of ink, an ink pen, and a small box that plays a musical tune when cranked

FEATURE: SCIENCE AND HONOR!

Your many inventions have earned you a small measure of fame amongst fellow tinkerers. Other inventors in cities and towns will be willing to aid you in whatever way they can. These mechanically minded folks won’t be much help in a fight, but they just might have a gizmo or gadget that will come in handy that they’d be willing to let you have in exchange for telling other inventors it worked.

SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS

Inventors live lives of scientific and mechanical adventure. Their mind and soul are dedicated to the cause of advancing our knowledge and applying it in useful ways. In the mind of an Inventor there is no problem that cannot be solved with thought and the proper application of a few gears. Their brilliant minds tend to leave them a bit quirky, and from time to time, accidents caused by their gadgets draw the ire of their friends and neighbors. For this reason many Inventors keep to themselves or associate primarily with likeminded innovators. Inventors tend to be very neutral on their thoughts towards morality and politics, caring more for what they consider the higher goal of knowledge.

SPECIALITY (D6)

1. Locomotive- The machines I build are primarily focused on the harnessing of steam and coal power.

2. Convenience- I like to make little things that help do the little things in life. Saving a few minutes a day adds years to life!

3. Gun Powder- When I first saw blasting powder used, I felt a sense of dread and awe at the potential uses I immediately devised for it.

4. Nautical- I dedicated my life to perfecting the navigation of the great seas of our world.

5. Automatons- They clean. They cook. They explode sometimes. Mostly they do what I build them to do. Mostly.

6. Rube Goldberg- Why fry an egg when you can build an entire house that is designed to fry it for me?

PERSONALITY TRAITS (D6)

1. I am often lost in thought about some possible invention.

2. I believe that magic is just some form of science we have yet to understand.

3. I very much like to see and hear explosions. Very, very much.

4. I always have my nose in a book.

5. I have a seemingly unending supply of utterly useless gadgets in my backpack.

6. I’m not afraid of anyone. Just because someone is bigger and stronger doesn’t mean they get to have their way.

IDEALS (D6)

1. Charity- Invention itself is not enough. My inventions should benefit those in need in some manner. (Good)

2. Intellectualism- Logical and analytical thought are what separate us from the monsters of the world. (Neutral)

3. Change- Onwards and upwards. Stagnation is the death of society. (Chaotic)

4. Creativity- A mind that can create something new and unique is a truly beautiful thing. (Neutral)

5. Drive- If society is going to advance, sacrifices will have to be made. (Evil)

6. Efficiency- Doing things the fastest and most effective way is the only way to live a productive life. (Neutral)

BONDS (D6)

1. I stole my greatest creation from another inventor. When they challenged me, I denounced them as a glory hunter.

2. I feel more attachment to my creations than to actual people.

3. I don’t let anyone talk badly about my friends. Part of friendship is always defending your friends’ reputation.

4. I built a machine that did great harm to the people of my village and wish to make amends.

5. I know it’s hopeless romance, but I believe that somewhere out there I will find my true love. Maybe I could build a device to find that person. Or…maybe the device…No. That’s crazy…right?

6. The final piece I need for my greatest creation is hidden and guarded by a powerful creature.

FLAWS (D6)

1. I would never admit that I made a mistake, no matter how obvious it was that I did.

2. My curiosity gets the best of me sometimes. I often am overcome with the desire to understand something, even when it leads to a dangerous situation.

3. I am outspoken and never hold back my opinions, no matter the situation.

4. I have awful allergies that bother me whenever I travel.

5. Many of my first attempts at a new invention completely backfire.

6. I use my gadgets to complete tasks that I could do much faster and with a higher probability of success if I just did myself.

#Backgrounds #jobs #NonHeroic #technology