Fighting against monsters and arcane use is the heart of what a Mage Hunter lives for, as do you. Having been trained at a fairly young age, you have learnt to hunt down magic and its users far better than others, and you have a dedication to rooting out magic. Whether you are part of a formal military group, or a rogue agent, you usually have some kind of hatred or bitter feelings towards magic. However, this needn’t be the case: some Mage Hunters might do so for good reasons, such as eliminating evil wizards and such.
When you choose this background, work with your DM to determine whether you are a lone Mage Hunter or part of a military group. If you’re part of a formal group, also consider how far up its ranks you have advanced.
- Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Insight
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, vehicles (land)
- Equipment: An insignia of rank (if part of a formal company), a broken arcane focus taken from a fallen wizard, a set of bone dice or deck of cards, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
During your time as a mage hunter, you've learned to track a specific magical school. You can recall additional information about this particular school whenever you do so, such as more specifics on the durations, costs, or effects of spells of that school.
| d8 | Arcane Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Abjuration |
| 2 | Conjuration |
| 3 | Divination |
| 4 | Enchantment |
| 5 | Evocation |
| 6 | Illusion |
| 7 | Necromancy |
| 8 | Transmutation |
From your time fighting magic and its users, you've learned to track down those who use specific schools of magic. Whenever you make an Arcana (Intelligence) check, you gain advantage and learn additional information if the magic is from your specialty school.
Additionally, if you were part of a formal group of mage hunters, you can invoke your rank to others of the same or similar groups to exert influence over them, requisition supplies or information, and gain access to friendly encampments, fortifications or outposts where your rank is recognised.
Suggested Characteristics
Mage Hunters come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing that unites them all is their dedication to hunting magic. How they have gone about this in the past greatly shapes how they interact with people, shaping their bonds and ideals, but perhaps leaving them scarred or vulnerable as well.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I'm dedicated to the letter; when I set my mind on something, I never back out until it's done. |
| 2 | I face problems head on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to sucess. |
| 3 | I'm full of inspiring and cautionary tales from my experiences, mostly relevant to magic, but also in other situations. |
| 4 | I have a crude sense of humour. |
| 5 | I've lost friends too many times; I'm slow to make new ones. |
| 6 | I enjoy knowing more about magic than others less-versed in its arts. |
| 7 | Nothing can scare me; I could even stare down a hell hound without flinching. |
| 8 | I'm haunted by a memory of magic that leaves me fearful and suspicious of its users. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Greater Good. Magic should be used to keep our people safe, not for cruel acts. (Good) |
| 2 | Responsibility. I do what I must to prevent the use of magic where I deem it necessary. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Power. Magic has left us reliant on things too easy and simple. By embracing our natural feats, we can become so much more. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. Magic leads to uncertainty and vagueness. Only by driving it out can we become strong. (Evil) |
| 5 | Fairness. Magic should be respected and treated with caution. Good or evil acts should be judged equally. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Nation. My city, nation, or people are all that matter, and by eliminating magic, I can make it safer. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would still lay down my life for the people I served with. |
| 2 | Someone I never knew saved my life from an arcane spell. To this day, I will never leave a good friend behind. |
| 3 | My honor is my life. |
| 4 | I’ll never forget the crushing defeat my company suffered or the magicians who dealt it. |
| 5 | Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for. |
| 6 | I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves against injust magical use. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The most powerful wizard we faced still leaves me quivering in fear. |
| 2 | I have little respect for anyone who relies on magic. |
| 3 | I made a terrible mistake in battle that cost many lives—and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret. |
| 4 | My hatred of magic is blind and unreasoning. |
| 5 | I obey the law, even if the law causes misery. |
| 6 | I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong. |