You are a member of a Arcanist guild, skilled in a particular field of the arcane. Being a member in the arcanist guild, you have been taught many lessons ranging from the use of magic to knowledge about the planes. Now you have taken upon yourself to further your studies by becoming adventure because not everything can be taught in a classroom.
- Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, and choose one of the following History, Insight, Investigation, Nature or Persuasion
- Tool Proficiencies: Choose one of the following, Alchemist's Supplies, Calligrapher's Supplies, Jeweler's Tools, Herbalism Kit, or Poisoner's Kit
- Languages: One of your choice.
- Equipment: A set of artisan’s tools with which you are proficient, a research book with your guild's insignia on it, a set of traveler’s clothes or a set of robes, and a pouch containing 10 gp.
Being a guild wizard as part of your studies, you also partake in a specialty to further your arcane endeavors. Choose a specialty that you've adopted, or roll on the Arcane Specialty table.
| d4 | Arcane Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alchemist |
| 2 | Spellwright |
| 3 | Lore Keeper |
| 4 | Spellslinger |
As a member of a renowned Arcanist Guild, you gain certain benefits that being a member provides. Your fellow guild members will provide you with lodging and food if necessary. In some cities and town, your guild may have a guildhall that can provide a place for to meat other members, which can be a good place to potentially meet patrons, allies, or hirelings.
The Arcanist Guild often holds great catalog of magical antiques and lore. If you are in good standings with the guild, you may be allowed to tap into the collection. This may allow you to gain knowledge of additional spells, magic items, or information. With such a collection, the guild may require you to donate money, magic items, or other assets to the collection.
You must pay dues of 5 gp per month to the guild. If you miss payments, you must make up back dues to remain in the guild’s good graces.
Suggested Characteristics
Guild Wizards are a varied lot due to having a verity of specializations and goals. Some may choose to devote themselves to furthering their specialization, or try to find their own way. How they act is largely dependent on their time in the Arcanist Guild.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I'm full of witty aphorisms and have a proverb for every occasion. |
| 2 | I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can’t help it—I’m a perfectionist. |
| 3 | I can't recognize when I'm in over my head. At least not until it's too late. |
| 4 | I always want to know how things work and what makes people tick. |
| 5 | Once I set my mind on something, that's all I can think of. |
| 6 | I like to talk at length about my profession. |
| 7 | I have a hard time keeping money. There's always something I need for my research. |
| 8 | I’m well known for my work, and I want to make sure everyone appreciates it. I’m always taken aback when people haven’t heard of me. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Self-Improvement. The goal in life is to always better than the day before. (Any) |
| 2 | Rules. Things are done a certain way for a reason, best not to change them. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Generosity. I learned whatever I can so I may help others. (Good) |
| 4 | No Limits. If everything was done by the set rules there would be no progress. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Power. Only those with great power are remembered. (Evil) |
| 6 | Knowledge. I’m committed to learning everything that I can. (Neutral) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I grew up in the guild, it means everything to me. |
| 2 | I am looking for the person to pass on my teachings. |
| 3 | I have brought shame to myself and or the guild, and must atone for what I have done. |
| 4 | I pursue wealth to secure someone’s love. |
| 5 | I will return to the guild once I become a master. |
| 6 | I will have revenge on the individual(s) who seeks to destroy my guild. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I'm never satisfied with what I have― I always want more. |
| 2 | No price is too high to learn something unknown to the world. |
| 3 | Often my abilities fall short of my bragging. |
| 4 | I stole from the guild and hoping they don't realize what I stole or they would have my head. |
| 5 | I will do anything to achieve my goals. |
| 6 | Magic is usually my first and last resort. If I make a mistake I will always try to fix it with magic. |
Through years of researching at the Arcanist Guild, you have developed a knack for knowing where to find the knowledge you seek. You can use the "Researcher" feature from the Sage background instead.
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Posted Aug 6, 2020Hi there....really enjoyed this background. I like how it felt like you're a member of this mage organization with a lot of details. Hope you don't mind, I used it as a template for my own custom background. I copied the Characteristics until I can tweak them a bit and make them more to my world/organization. Thanks
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Posted Aug 7, 2020Yeah no problem, I mostly used the the Guild Artisan background as a base then worked from there to make it arcane themed.