This Background is best suited for Victoriana settings, but can be modified for whatever setting using the power of imagination.
Photography is a brand new science, invented almost simultaneously by Goblins, Gnomes, and one Human Alchemist who otherwise found spend his time fascinated by the concept of hot air balloons. Debates rage on about who can truly claim credit. The products may be in high demand but the science is meticulous to learn, and requires expensive equipment. Maybe you saved up to get it, maybe whomever taught you your craft gave you or lent you your camera, but somehow you have it now, and you're going to make the best use of it that you can.
With three potential inventors, three types of photography exist, with different methods and price points.
Tintypes: Invented by Goblins, using sheets of metal and silver salts. Cheapest option, not reproducible.
Silvertype Paper Prints: Invented by Gnomes, using glass plates and silver salts. Easy to make multiple prints, more expensive process, higher price point.
Daguerreotypes: Invented by the Human Alchemist, using sheets of metal and mercury. Highest price point due to material and desirability, and the most expensive process, not reproducible, very delicate and believed to be the truest photographic reproduction of reality. They're almost ghostly, these photographs.
- Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, and Choose ONE of the Following: Insight, Perception, Investigation
- Tool Proficiencies: Cameras, Alchemical Tools, One type of photography (Silvertype Paper Print, Tintype, Daguerreotype). Can learn more at DMs discretion.
- Equipment: Camera with glass or metal plates, hood and tripod, Development chemicals
Choose 1 arcane photographic specialty. You can learn more based on your Intelligence score and DM discretion.
If and when you are allowed more specialties, these specialties can be combined in fun and interesting ways. Question the spirits of the dead, or have your secret keeper hide somewhere in your photograph for example!
| d7 | Arcane Speciality |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ghost Photography - You can capture images of the spirits of the dead. This may also apply to vampires. |
| 2 | Moving Pictures - Your photographs appear to move! Sitters smile and wink, carts move by, birds fly through the sky. These tend to sell at a higher price. |
| 3 | Color Specific - You have the ability to capture color in your photographs. These will also sell at a higher price. |
| 4 | Soul Capturing - You can capture part of someone's soul. This is evil magic. Souls can be held for many reasons (blackmail is common) and can be used like the Soul Cage spell ONCE. You may be run out of town, or worse. You can return the soul at any time. |
| 5 | Quick Snaps - Photography is a long process, often leaving people sitting for up to half an hour. With this magic, the process is quick. |
| 6 | Secret Keeper - You can imbue a photograph with a secret, which requires a password to gain access to. This secret can be visual or verbal. |
| 7 | Aura Photography - You can capture images of the auras of people and creatures. You can learn their creature type, their alignment, vulnerabilities, resistances, OR immunities. Remember, taking a photograph can take as long as 30 minutes. |
You have a keen sense of both light & chemical composition based on smell. You can usually tell an approximate time of day based on sunlight, & have a good sense of chemical components. You may also have a bad habit of tasting chemicals with your pinky to be sure.
Suggested Characteristics
Are you an Artist? A Scientist? An Entrepeneur?
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | Artist - You are in it for the artistry of the craft |
| 2 | Scientist - You're a chemist first and foremost, and you love the science element of the process |
| 3 | Merchant - This is about making money first and foremost. We're getting in on the ground floor of an industry |
| 4 | Spooky - Photography is seen as cursed by some people, and occult by others. This is where your interests lie. |
| 5 | People Person - You do this job because you love people, and want to meet as many people as you can on the road. |
| 6 | Sight Seer - Photography is a means to seeing the world. You can capture it all as you go. |
| 7 | Jack of All Trades - You're not a master of any of the above, but you're in it for some combination of the above in one way or another |
| 8 | Hobbyist - Well this is a fun and expensive hobby! Luckily, money is no object for me. |
Previous Versions
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10/24/2019 12:55:23 AM
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