You are an individual who collects, buys, sells, and trades information in order to make a living. Sifting through gossip for kernels of truth, mining tips from people in the know, and working your knuckles to the bone to glean secrets are all the kinds of activities you might engage in to gather information. And once you have it, you trade that information to those who find it useful or valuable. You may get other information in return for your trouble, though goods, services, favors, or even cold hard cash are just as often exchanged for the knowledge you deal in. Regardless of how you get it or what you trade for it, dealing in information is your specialty, and there seems to always be a demand for such a service.
Includes a starting feat of keen mind, linguist, observant, or skilled/
- Skill Proficiencies: Choice of two: Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Arcana, History, Investigation, Religion, Insight, Perception, Survival, Deception, Intimidation, Performance, or Persuasion
- Tool Proficiencies: Disguise Kit, Forgery Kit, or Thieves' Tools
- Languages: Choose 2
- Equipment: A Pouch containing 10 gold, choice of pack supplies, and choice of clothing.
| d6 | Suggested Informant Backgrounds |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Noble Informant- You work for a Noble house to gather information that would benefit your employer. |
| 2 | The Entertainer- You deal in stories that you pass around in your travels to entertain the masses. |
| 3 | Street Rat- It's easy to get information when you live under the radar. A noble's trash is the underground's treasure. |
| 4 | The Bartender- Everyone loves to tell stories to their bartender, and you have learned turn that into a little side hustle. |
| 5 | Spy- You have grown and integrated into a foreign society to learn all you can in order to report back to your nation/organization |
| 6 | Double Agent- The only one who knows who you work for and what side you are on is you. |
Given that your stock and trade is information, you have a respectable network of individuals spread across the territory you operate in. These informants don’t work for free, but they actively keep their eyes and ears open for information, rumors, and secrets at all times because they know that any intelligence they gather might potentially be valuable to you, and for many of them, this part of the business helps them line their pockets or accumulate favors.
When you are in search of information or rumors, you may reach out to your informant network. The GM will let you know what methods are permissible for this, and it is up to the GM’s discretion if and how your attempt succeeds, as well as what it might cost you. GMs are encouraged to use this feature to introduce plot hooks, hints, and worldbuilding details to the player character.
Additionally, if someone knows that you are an information dealer, they may be inclined to do business with you (buying, selling, or otherwise) in exchange for information when they otherwise may not even consider it. This is entirely up to the GM’s discretion in any given situation, but it is possible that people you run across may be willing to buy or sell information through you in various capacities.
Spell List
Your extensive training in being an informant has introduced you to a variety of contacts. These contacts have some value able skills. Some are willing to share this knowledge with you (at a cost). You gain access to learning these spells for being an informant.
Your GM may allow you to learn these skills as you level up or through required in game roleplay.
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | friends, message |
| 1st | charm person, comprehend languages, illusory script |
| 2nd | calm emotions, detect thoughts, suggestion |
| 3rd | clairvoyance, sending, speak with dead, tongues |
| 5th | legend lore, telepathic bond |
| 6th | mass suggestion |
| 8th | glibness |
Suggested Characteristics
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | Flattery is my preferred trick for getting what I want. |
| 2 | I lie about almost everything, even when there’s no good reason to. |
| 3 | I don’t pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. |
| 4 | The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuable—or where such things could be hidden. |
| 5 | Whenever I come to a new place, I collect local rumors and spread gossip. |
| 6 | I spend money freely and live life to the fullest, knowing that tomorrow I might die. |
| 7 | My eloquent flattery makes everyone I talk to feel like the most wonderful and important person in the world. |
| 8 | If you do me an injury, I will crush you, ruin your name, and salt your fields. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fairness. I never target people who can’t afford to lose a few coins. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Aspiration. I’m determined to make something of myself. (Any) |
| 3 | Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Greed. I’m only in it for the money. (Evil) |
| 5 | Respect. Respect is due to me because of my position, but all people regardless of station deserve to be treated with dignity. (Good) |
| 6 | Power. If I can attain more power, no one will tell me what to do. (Evil) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I owe everything to my mentor—a horrible person who’s probably rotting in jail somewhere. |
| 2 | I swindled and ruined a person who didn’t deserve it. I seek to atone for my misdeeds but might never be able to forgive myself. |
| 3 | I’m trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor. |
| 4 | Someone I loved died because of a mistake I made. That will never happen again. |
| 5 | I keep my thoughts and discoveries in a journal. My journal is my legacy. |
| 6 | My tools are symbols of my past life, and I carry them so that I will never forget my roots. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m convinced that no one could ever fool me the way I fool others. |
| 2 | I can’t resist swindling people who are more powerful than me. |
| 3 | When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money. |
| 4 | I once satirized a noble who still wants my head. It was a mistake that I will likely repeat. |
| 5 | I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble. |
| 6 | I have an insatiable desire for decadent pleasures. |