Halloween quickly approaches (or if you're like me, is just a state of mind) and one-shots are always a little more fun with a spooky twist! If you want to play as a gaggle of Ghost Hunters in your next Halloween-themed game, then assemble your crew and grab your Proton Pack..or, uh, the DND 5e version of it! The following background can be applied to an entire party and still allow for creative freedom; if you want to tweak abilities or proficiencies, always check in with your DM. This background has a few ability score-based items and abilities, which is unusual and not preferable for most backgrounds, but this is a novelty background designed specifically for one-shots. I have made it so that either Wisdom, Intelligence, or Charisma checks can be used, but if you are a DM and would like to choose only one ability to base these off of, this is also an option! If not, choose one ability and apply it to all rolls this background asks for. I see it like this...some ghost hunters use their street smarts, moxie, and bravado to power the through a haunt (Charisma), some use their booksmarts and knowledge (Intelligence), and some are grizzled, experienced hunters who know the game well (Wisdom). Whatever you choose, don't take it too seriously and have some spooky fun! Happy Hunting!
When there's something strange in the neighborhood, you are the ones they call for dealing with even the most horrifying of ghouls and specters! Armed with Ectoplasm Packs, knowledge of the undead, and sharp skills, you and your crew confront haunts with ease and bravado as you sweep through homes and abandoned buildings. Society around you may see you as experts in your fields, hunters to be respected...or they may see you as ghost obsessed nerds, cooks, and weirdos who should really get a real job!
- Skill Proficiencies: Investigation + One additional skill from the Crew Archetype Table.
- Tool Proficiencies: Ghost Hunters' Tools: Proficiency with these tools lets you add your proficiency bonus to any ability checks you make to find, communicate with, learn about, or destroy undead.
Proficiency with one additional tool OR an exotic language.
- Languages:
- Equipment: Ghost Hunters' Tools: One Ectoplasm Pack, a Ghoulometer, 5 small vials of Holy Water, 6 candles, cleansing herbs and spices, a bag of salt, a bag of powdered silver, a crowbar, a hammer, 3 wooden stakes, a silver mirror, and a small field journal with an ink pen.
- The Ectoplasm Pack: A leather backpack with a hollow silver wand attached by a hose. Inside the backpack is a small silver box used to carry up to (2 + Your Intelligence, Charisma, or Wisdom Modifier) Spirits. You may use your Ectoplasm Pack to attempt to capture any undead spirit with 10 hit points or less. To avoid being captured, the spirit must roll a Constitution saving throw against your Intelligence, Charisma, OR Wisdom Check. If captured, the spirit lies dormant inside the silver box, only able to escape if the box is opened. You can use your Plasm Pack in the following ways, up to the number of spirits in your pack:
ELDRITCH BLAST: Harness the energy of spirits to make a devastating Necrotic attack against your foes! This spell does not scale up with levels.
SPARE THE DYING: You can trade the soul of the captured spirit inside your pack for the life of your fallen companion.
MESSAGE: Send forth your spirit to deliver a final message to your target before it fades into the ether.
Inside the pack, the soul is cleansed and using these abilities frees the spirit to a better place.
- The Ghoulometer: A small, handheld compass filled with holy water and sparkling powdered silver. This tool picks up ghostly energy and points the user towards the nearest undead (all types of undead) if within 30 ft. Works on all undead!
Every crew is different and has a variety of character archetypes! Choose the archetype you wish to play and take the appropriate skill proficiency with it. If you want to make up your own archetype and choose another proficiency, talk to your DM!
| d6 | Crew Archetype |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Researcher (+History Proficiency) |
| 2 | The Psychic (+Arcana Proficiency) |
| 3 | The Veteran (+Perception Proficiency) |
| 4 | The Muscle (+Intimidation Proficiency) |
| 5 | The Everyman (+Persuasion Proficiency) |
| 6 | The Distraction (+Performance Proficiency) |
Staring down a banshee? Facing a zombified hoarde? Smooth-talking a vampire during afternoon tea? No problem. You knew exactly what you were signing up for and you're ready to face any danger that comes your way.
You have advantage to saving throws against being charmed or frightened by Undead. This feature does not work on spells.
Suggested Characteristics
Some Ghost Hunters take their jobs very seriously, seeing this as a way to free trapped spirits or help desperate people experiencing the horrors of a haunt without anyone to turn to. Some use it to seek thrills and fight undead for kicks and giggles. Are you a studious Ghost Hunter? A loose canon? A charming smooth talker? A daredevil? Talk to your DM about why you decided to take up the Ghost Hunting gig, and how this fits in with the party's dynamic.
You may choose select this Feature instead of I Ain't Afraid of No Ghosts.
You know your way around an Ectoplasm Pack and can slurp up ghosts like it's nobody's business. Whether it's beginner's luck or the experience of a grizzled veteran Hunter, capturing spirits comes easy to you, and the only thing you're reaping...is the rewards!
When using your pack to capture spirits or casting the pack spells listed above, you can double your proficiency to any rolls. You also use your pack more effectively than others, and can treat the number of spirits captured inside as if it were double the amount.
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Posted May 23, 2022Very nice.