You have spent your life in the service of a practitioner (or group of practitioners) of arcane magic. Your job has been to assist with mundane and repetitive tasks so that your patron might be more free to focus on research or other more important activities. You are not necessarily a spell-caster yourself—running errands, cleaning, and preparing food doesn't require magic. You may, however, have been asked to assist in a more meaningful way, perhaps functioning as a scribe, setting up ritual candles, carving runes, or something similar.

Work with your DM to select an appropriate patron. Possibilities can include a wizard, an artificer, or possibly even a spell-casting monster. Detail the nature of your service and the circumstances of your current independence. Were you born into servitude in the household of a powerful arch-mage? Or were you a seeker of power who bound yourself to your patron hoping to establish a magical foundation for yourself? You may have been taken in as a child because your master sensed some hidden potential in you. Perhaps you even managed to escape the service of a powerful fiend.

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, History

Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan’s tools

Languages: One of your choice

Equipment: A crystal, scroll case, a trinket, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp.

Suggested Characteristics

Apprentices are shaped by their experience in service to eccentric magical geniuses. Their service often exposes them to bits of arcane and forbidden knowledge, and they frequently develop eccentricities themselves. Their flaws might be a coping mechanism they've developed to keep themselves together as they navigate the difficulties of their patron's habits.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I idolize a particular powerful arcane figure and constantly refer to that person’s deeds and example.
2	I see omens in every event and action.
3	Nothing can shake my optimistic attitude.
4	I quote (or misquote) historical texts and proverbs in almost every situation.
5	I’ve suffered rough treatment at the hands of my patron. I've become suspicious of generosity.
6	I’ve spent so long in the service of my patron that I have little practical experience dealing with people in the outside world.
7	I've seen terrible things and have become adept at pretending that everything is fine.
8	I'm a diligent worker who values effort over intentions.

d6	Ideal
1	Tradition. The ancient traditions of arcane institutions must be preserved and upheld. (Lawful)
2	Charity. I always try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good)
3	Change. We must work to bring about the changes in the world that we want to see. (Chaotic)
4	Power. I hope to one day achieve the ability to do whatever pleases me. (Evil)
5	Service. I have faith that if I work hard, things will go well. (Lawful)
6	Aspiration. I seek to prove myself worthy of my patron’s favor by matching my actions against his or her example. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	Everything I do is in pursuit of personal power.
2	I will someday get revenge on the corrupt institution which betrayed me.
3	I owe my life my patron who took me in when my parents died.
4	Everything I do is for the common people.
5	I will do anything to protect the institution where I served.
6	I seek to preserve a forbidden legacy that others wish to see destroyed.

d6	Flaw
1	I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely.
2	I put too much faith in those who wield powerful arcane magic.
3	I am easily swayed by opportunities to acquire arcane power.
4	I am inflexible in my thinking.
5	I am suspicious of strangers and expect the worst of them.
6	Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life.