Reporters! The lifeblood of any city, and an indispensable part of a well informed citizen's day. Whether you work for a large news conglomerate, the government, or print your own conspiracy flyers in your basement, you are dedicated towards the collection and sharing of information with the common person. Unlike a detective, who pursues information for the sake of the law, Reporters are not so bound by these rules (although they can be). Reporters can lie, fast-talk, and schmooze their way to the truth, or their version of the truth.
Decide what kind of reporter you are by either rolling a d8 and consulting the following table, and/or discussing it with your GM. Where is your character within the hierarchy of the news station? Are they a lowly intern, star reporter, or shrewd editor? Does your character long for a different kind of reporting, or are they in their dream job currently?
What kind of reporting do you do? Are you a hard-hitting journalist, or a sleazy gossip columnist?
| d8 | Type of Reporter |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gossip Rag |
| 2 | Financial/Business Newspaper |
| 3 | State-Funded News |
| 4 | Tech/Retail Seller Magazine |
| 5 | Literary/Scientific Journal |
| 6 | Daily News |
| 7 | Housekeeping/Homemaking guide |
| 8 | Conspiracy Theory/Reactionary Journalism |
Once per long rest/day (whichever is longer), your character can purchase and read a newspaper. The added benefit can only be used once (unless otherwise specified), and benefits do not carry over to the next day if the boon isn't used. Depending on the type of newspaper, gain one of the following benefits:
- Gossip Rag: With the scintillating gossip fresh in your mind, it's not difficult to pick up on subtle body language other people. You gain +2 to a single insight check to determine whether someone is hiding something juicy.
- Financial/Business Newspaper: Add half of your proficiency bonus ( rounded down with a minimum of +1) to a persuasion/deception check related to money. This could include haggling down the price for a product (within reason), convincing someone an object is worth more than it is, or lying about the amount of money you have.
- State-Funded News: The state news is closely monitored, and is often a symbol of rigid authority. Because of this undeniable power, you gain a +2 to an intimidation check when threatening to call law enforcement or pursue legal action.
- Tech/Retail Seller Magazine: These handy advertisements really make these doodads and thingamajigs seem so easy to use! Until your next long rest, gain +1 to a check with a tool you are not already proficient in. You must name the tool you want the +1 bonus to at the beginning of the day, aka when you initially read the newspaper.
- Literary/Scientific journal: By keeping up with the newest discoveries and hottest poets, academic types are more likely to divulge useful information to you. Gain a +2 to one persuasion check against someone working in academia or scientific research.
- Independent Daily News: As the newspaper of the people, information from independent news outlets are often trusted more by the common man. Because of this, you gain a +2 to a persuasion check against a person whose social class is at/below middle-class.
- Housekeeping/Homemaking guide: Those housekeeping guides sure are helpful, and they offer valuable information into what's abnormal within a well-functioning home. You gain a +2 to a single investigation check when inside a residential building/house.
- Conspiracy Theory/Reactionary Journalism: Your mind is awhirl with the strange and baffling logic of conspiracy theories. You gain advantage on one wisdom/charisma saving throw against being charmed or magically influenced.
Suggested Characteristics
What were your motivations in becoming a reporter, and what
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I never turn down a chance for a good story, even if it puts me in danger |
| 2 | I love talking to people, and get lonely if I don't engage with a new person at least once a day |
| 3 | I enjoy the high life of hobnobbing with society's elites, and am incredibly snooty towards the lower classes |
| 4 | I'm always on edge. Years of being on the reporter's scene has made you keenly aware of potential dangers. |
| 5 | Nothing can shake my optimistic attitude and steadfast determination |
| 6 | I regularly engage my enemies with unnerving cheeriness and curiosity, endlessly bombarding them with questions about their life story and empathizing with their struggles. |
| 7 | I am disproportionately hostile/suspicious towards reporters who work for rival news outlets, even if they're genuinely nice people. |
| 8 | Everything has potential for conspiracy. Less pepperoni on pizza? The mob has taken over the pizza shop. A man asked to switch seats with me on the bus? There's a secret society keeping its eyes on me. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Truth. Journalists keep "the man" from pulling the wool over the eyes of the people, and as a journalist I'm fiercely dedicated to bringing the truth to light. (Good) |
| 2 | Fame. One day, I'll break a story so big that the whole world will know my name and recognize how amazing I am. (Any) |
| 3 | Revolution. The written word will make the underserved masses realize how poorly they're being treated, and I will do anything to help the lower classes take control of their own fates. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Ambition. One day, I'll own my own news business, and I'll be able to write what I want when I want. Until then, I need to keep my head down and work hard. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Control. One day I will bend the will of the masses with my stories and writings, and become more powerful than any king or sovereign. (Evil) |
| 6 | Equality. The story of the common man is just as important as the records of royals, and I will never weigh a person's worth by their social status. (Neutral) |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I never know when to shut up or stop angling for a story. |
| 2 | My inquisitive mind makes it difficult to experience genuine emotion in the moment, and I'd rather analyze my feelings than feel them. |
| 3 | I have too many vices to count! Gambling, drinking, smoking, you name it and I have it. |
| 4 | My attention is single-minded and unwavering, to the point that I've accidentally ignored clear signs of danger in pursuit of the truth. |
| 5 | I believe that my reporter status is a golden ticket into any situation, after all, who doesn't love reporters? |
| 6 | My dedication to my job is often to the detriment of my mental, physical, psychological, and emotional health. |
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