You were born into a clan of powerful spellcasters. They could be talented mages who have been around since your home was founded. They could be the powerhouse within your local mage guild. They could even be running the show, steeped in power both political and magical. No matter what form they take, your family is certainly well-known, and for good reason.
- Skill Proficiencies: Arcana and History, Investigation, Nature, Religion, or Medicine.
- Tool Proficiencies: A set of artisan's tools.
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment: A set of fine clothes, an item bearing the mark of your clan, and a purse containing 20 gp
Thanks to the reputation of your clan, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in magical society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. "Lesser" mages make every effort to accommodate you and gain the favor of your clan, and other people of magical renown treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local mage if you need to.
Suggested Characteristics
When creating a Mage Scion, consider your relationship with your clan, and their relationship with the world. Do you get along with your family? Are they prospering, or have they fallen on hard times recently? Take some of these points into consideration when thinking about the reason your character leaves to become an adventurer.
This background uses a modified version of the Guild Artisan / Guild Merchant Suggested Characteristics table. Consider your "clan" as the group of mages to which you belong, and your "work" or "craft" as your magecraft.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I'm full of witty aphorisms and have a proverb for every occasion. |
| 2 | I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can’t help it—I’m a perfectionist. |
| 3 | I’m a snob who looks down on those who can’t appreciate fine art. |
| 4 | I always want to know how things work and what makes people tick. |
| 5 | I’m rude to people who lack my commitment to hard work and fair play. |
| 6 | I like to talk at length about my profession. |
| 7 | I don’t part with my money easily and will haggle tirelessly to get the best deal possible. |
| 8 | I’m well known for my work, and I want to make sure everyone appreciates it. I’m always taken aback when people haven’t heard of me. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Aspiration: I work hard to be the best there is at my craft. (Any) |
| 2 | Community. It is the duty of all civilized people to strengthen the bonds of community and the security of civilization. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Generosity. My talents were given to me so that I could use them to benefit the world. (Good) |
| 4 | Freedom. Everyone should be free to pursue his or her own livelihood. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Greed. I’m only in it for the money. (Evil) |
| 6 | People. I’m committed to the people I care about, not to ideals. (Neutral) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | Where I learned my trade is the most important place in the world to me. |
| 2 | I created a great work for someone, and then found them unworthy to receive it. I’m still looking for someone worthy. |
| 3 | I owe my clan a great debt for forging me into the person I am today. |
| 4 | I pursue wealth to secure someone’s love. |
| 5 | One day I will return to my clan and prove that I am the greatest mage of them all. |
| 6 | I will get revenge on those that destroyed my clan and ruined my home. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I'm never satisfied with what I have― I always want more. |
| 2 | I’ll do anything to get my hands on something rare or priceless. |
| 3 | I’m quick to assume that someone is trying to cheat me. |
| 4 | No one must ever learn that I once stole money from my clan. |
| 5 | I would kill to acquire a noble title. |
| 6 | I’m horribly jealous of anyone who can outshine my handiwork. Everywhere I go, I’m surrounded by rivals. |
Comments