There are many kinds of adventurers. Some out for gold, some for glory, but you... You're different. You've seen true evil, and the destruction it causes and where a lesser man might falter you stood your ground, spat in it's face and you fought back. You are out for one thing and one thing only, to hunt down and slay monsters.
You are a Monster Hunter. You hunt what goes bump in the night, and you do it well. But why do you do it? Are you truly insane like all the others say and just enjoy it for pure blood sport? Do you do hunt them for some grander purpose dictated by your deity? Do you seek revenge on these beasts you hunt, or are you looking to make reagents and components from their corpses? Or perhaps you are just trying to help.
Whatever your reasoning for hunting monsters is, ensure it is a strong one. After all, not just anyone can do what you do.
Monster Hunters tend to be social outcasts as well, the things you've seen and done make you noticeably different from those around you. Be it a stern and cold demeanor, a complete lack of understanding of social interactions, or maybe because you're just plain weird, the common folk get an off-putting vibe from you, and there's not much you can do about it.
- Skill Proficiencies: Nature and Survival
- Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit and Poisoner's tools
- Languages: None
- Equipment: Herbalism kit, 10gp, Book, Ink, Ink Pen, Knife(Small), Holy Water, Hunting Trap, Wooden Stake, Flask (Optional)
The Big Book of Monsters: You've cataloged each monster you've fought (and how many you've killed) into a Monster Book that you keep on your person (And that you start with!). This book contains all your knowledge on monsters and how best to kill them. You start with anywhere from 1-10 of the basic monsters that are present in your game already in your book. (Clear this up with your DM, not all campaigns are created equal!)
You can spend 1 hour after slaying a new monster (assuming you're not under attack) to study it, and write a brief summary of it's methods, weaknesses (if any), resistances (if any) and strategies for dealing with monsters like it in the future.You can spend 10 minutes memorizing a page for the day (Up to 4 Pages can be remembered per short rest), and until your next short or long rest, (but only once per encounter), you can use this feature to gain advantage on any roll relating to the target on a memorized page.
(This requires a lot of note-taking and role-playing, but grants you advantage on any one roll with your chosen quarry once per encounter until you rest again or die. Works to great effect when combined with divination!)
He Who Fights Monsters: Doing what you do takes it's toll on your psyche and your social skills. You may be a superior fighter and wise in many ways, but something about how you walk and talk is just... strange and almost, dangerous. Your many encounters with the unknown make you seem just as strange to the common folk. Many will fear you if they know what you are, and those that don't will find you very odd and somewhat off-putting. You'll be the first they call for help when the monsters come, and you'll be the first they blame for sudden misfortune.
Adventurers and other hunters will likely be the only company you can keep. Your unsettling aura and your strange mannerisms are more accepted by folks who are just as crazy as you.
Suggested Characteristics
Pick STR/DEX and run with it, leaving the other behind. (But not in the negative.)
CON/WIS are also important for what you do, make sure they are both positive and then focus on WIS. (CON so you can take a few hits, even if it's not preferable, and WIS because the last thing you want is to be caught unawares.)
INT is something you want a few points in to at least make it a positive. (What kind of hunter would you be without half decent investigation modifier? Arcana can also help with what things you may be dealing with.)
CHA is not really important for your job. And unless you're running a class that may need it, it's probably best to drop it all together so you can focus on getting the stats you'll be using more often higher. (Besides, "He Who Hunts Monsters" tends to put other people off anyway.)
Contacts
This background may get you to meet and know priests in some areas, large guilds may have heard of you or perhaps can recognize a fellow Monster Hunter, Mayors of small towns may keep you on employ as insurance against monstrous neighbors and generally anyone who may have use for someone who hunts monsters. Go nuts! (With your DM's blessing, of course.)
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