You have spent most of your life hunting down wrongdoers and investigating crime scenes. For years, you have searched burglarised houses, interviewed victims of foul play, and examined dead bodies. Your experiences have granted you a skill set that lets you excel at finding clues, tracking crooks, and catching them
You may have assisted the town guards as a talented sleuth, worked for free to protect vulnerable victims, or simply rented out your services to anyone who could afford them. Alternatively, you might come from a shady background yourself, which has taught you how to think like a criminal - and how to snare them.
- Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Perception, Persuasion
- Tool Proficiencies: Choose one from Alchemist's supplies, Disguise kit, Forgery kit, Poisoners's kit, or Theives' tools.
- Languages: Two common languages of your choice.
- Equipment: A well-used magnifying glass, a bullseye lantern, five small bags for collecting evidence, tweezers, a crowbar, and a worn leather pouch containing 5 g
Investigators often develop a specific area of expertise depending on what type of crimes they frequently come across. Some might excel at tracking down burglars or thieves in bustling towns, while others help the town's guards stop street charlatans and scams, perhaps by gathering evidence by discreetly carrying out cat burglary or sleight of hand themselves. A few detectives might also gather information by disguising themselves and infiltrating an organization to reveal the mastermind behind large-scale operations.
To determine which kind of criminals you are specialized in hunting down, roll 1d8 or choose from the options in the table below.
D8 Type of Criminals
1. Pickpockets
2. Forgers
3. Burglars
4. Charlatans
5. Kidnappers
6. Poisoners
7. Assassins
8. Masterminds
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Officer |
| 2 | Scout |
| 3 | Infantry |
| 4 | Cavalry |
| 5 | Healer |
| 6 | Quartermaster |
| 7 | Standard bearer |
| 8 | Support staff (cook, blacksmith, or the like) |
You know one or several people who are well-informed regarding ongoing illegal activities in the underbelly of society. They might be former crooks, relatives who are a member of the local Thieves' Guild, or spies at a royal court. They could also be guardsmen, street urchins, members of a secret society, or others who have extensive networks.
You might know your informer in person and have regular meetups, but they could also be anonymous and stay in touch only through coded messages left in secret locations. At the DM's discretion, your informant may provide assistance, for example, by creating forged invitations, enabling access to secure buildings, or sharing sensitive information.
Suggested Characteristics
The horrors of war combined with the rigid discipline of military service leave their mark on all soldiers, shaping their ideals, creating strong bonds, and often leaving them scarred and vulnerable to fear, shame, and hatred.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I constantly make sagacious, aloof, or cryptic comments when I'm working |
| 2 | My old enemies are out to get me, and I never trust strangers. |
| 3 | Thinking hard is impossible without smoking my favorite pipe. |
| 4 | I never go anywhere without all my investigative gear. |
| 5 | I look up to a famous detective and often quote their wise sayings, regardless of the circumstances. |
| 6 | I am nocturnal, since most crimes occur at night. |
| 7 | Playing an instrument helps me focus, so I have become an expert musician. |
| 8 | I always examine new places thoroughly - clues can hide anywhere! |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others. (Good) |
| 2 | Responsibility. I do what I must and obey just authority. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. In life as in war, the stronger force wins. (Evil) |
| 5 | Live and Let Live. Ideals aren’t worth killing over or going to war for. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Nation. My city, nation, or people are all that matter. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would still lay down my life for the people I served with. |
| 2 | Someone saved my life on the battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind. |
| 3 | My honor is my life. |
| 4 | I’ll never forget the crushing defeat my company suffered or the enemies who dealt it. |
| 5 | Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for. |
| 6 | I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still leaves me quivering with fear. |
| 2 | I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior. |
| 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 my enemies 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. |
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