Order of the Brew Acolyte

As an acolyte of the Order of the Brew, you have made tea your life. It is your ambition to discover and sample every type, style and variation of tea, to be archived and perfected by the Order. The Order worships the tea itself, and seeks to perfect it in order to gain a higher state of being, as well as to retain this divine instrument for the rest of eternity. As an Order acolyte, you may have travelled across vast distances to discover tea lost to the ages, or specific to one tiny community at the edges of the known world. Alternatively, you may have worked within the Order's confines, sampling, honing and improving teas discovered by those roving explorers, in search of the perfect taste. Regardless, tea is your passion, and your driving purpose in all things. Unless, perhaps, you have chosen to leave the Order, having come to revile the taste of tea (heathen), but retain all of the expertise you gained in your time with them.

*This background was technically designed to be used with the 'Tea Domain' Cleric subclass, but can easily be used without it. However, I would suggest choosing the Herbalism Kit instead of the Tea Set, as this has little use without the subclass (I mean, unless you just want to make tea, that's chill too).

Skill Proficiencies: History, Medicine, Nature, Survival

Tool Proficiencies: Choose from either the Tea Set or the Herbal Kit

Equipment: Tea Kit (Includes a kettle, stand to set it over a heat source, and 8 cups- used only for making tea, essentially), 2 full waterskins, 10 rations, and a book of recorded tea variants (and effects), a belt pouch containing 10 gold.

Suggested Characteristics

Acolytes join the Order of the Brew for a variety of reasons; without strict tenets and codes to guide your path, you are likely to have wildly different personalities, ideals and goals to any other acolyte you may meet during your travels.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I believe that tea can solve most conflicts. Sitting down with a good cup of tea is an excellent way to come to terms with another.
2	I have a great respect for nature, as without it we would have no tea. What a miserable world.
3	I respect (or do not respect) those who do not drink tea, but (or and) will never understand their way of thinking.
4	I have not always enjoyed tea. I was introduced by an acquaintance, and since then it has become my true passion.
5	Tea is an excellent way to understand a culture. Through the research of tea, there is much to discover about both modern and lost societies.
6	I enjoy only the finest, most well-made teas. Anything less is an insult to my palate.
7	I've honestly grown a little tired of the taste of tea. I have spent so long drinking it, however, that it has become all I know.
8	I have spent as long as I can remember within the Order, refining the taste of teas. It has made me socially inept.

d6	Ideal
1	Love of the people- I love people, and tea is a good way to bring me closer to them.
2	For Posterity- Everything must be archived; how else will it be preserved for future generations?
3	Perfection- It is the duty of the acolytes to bring tea to its highest form. I am no exception.
4	Far Traveller- The people of far-off places deserve the chance to experience different forms of tea. Even as I record their knowledge, I will bring them hours; I do not expect to be given it for free.
5	Fame- I will discover something wonderful, better than anyone before me, and my name will be remembered for centuries to come.
6	Fortune- I will follow to tenets of the Order- but they say nothing of not turning a profit in the process. And the exportation of tea can be a profitable business indeed.

d6	Bond
1	I will travel to every country before I die; I wish to experience everything, and tea from every place.
2	I will fill the book that I have with teas. This is the one goal I have in life, and I will complete it, no matter the cost.
3	I must find a type of tea for every person that I know. There must be at least one that each person likes.
4	I will discover a tea lost to the ages, that has not been brewed in millennia.
5	There is one type of tea that I have vowed to perfect. I will spend my entire life improving it, until it is perfect.
6	I have become disillusioned with the ways of the Order. I will find a beverage to rival tea, and make an organisation of my own (Alternatively, wishes to make another organisation based around tea to rival the Order).

d6	Flaw
1	I would sell my soul for a new tea recipe- quite literally. In fact, I already have several devils vying for it following secrets I have gained.
2	I look down on those who do not value tea. They are heathens and savages, and are beneath my notice.
3	When brewing or appreciating tea, I am completely focused and oblivious. If a tarrasque wandered by, I would not notice.
4	I have spent most of my life cloistered within the Order's buildings. Not only am I social incapable, but also extremely gullible. I would not survive in the world outside completely alone.
5	Making a mistake whilst preparing tea angers me greatly. If someone else is the cause of that mistake, I may well boil them.
6	Having spent most of my life drinking tea, I have essentially zero alcohol tolerance. A mug of ale can do one of two things; knock my flat, or make for some rather interesting exchanges.