Scribe (5e Background)

Scribe

Art credit: Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

You were hired, or bought, to record the proceedings of a royal court, or to write letters dictated to you by a noble or important dignitary. You have honed the skill of quickly recording events, quotes, and other information in a way that can be reviewed in-depth later. Because of this, your have an excellent memory and observational skills. As a scribe, you have access to much information that only high-ranking nobles would be able to access, yet you are still considered a servant. This allows you to have a certain anonymity alongside your knowledge. You were rewarded for your years of service, and those from the court or household of your employment recognize you as loyal, intelligent, and hardworking.

Skill Proficiencies: Investigation, Perception

Tool Proficiencies: Choose one: (A) Cartographer's tools, or (B) forgery kit

Languages: One of your choice

Equipment: A writing kit (small pouch with a quill, a bottle of ink, folded parchment, and a small penknife), a set of fine clothes, a tool kit you have proficiency with, a small leatherbound book, and a pouch containing 10 gp

Feature: Secretarial Adept

Your experience copying documents and transcribing events gives you rapid and accurate recording skills. With a minute of study per page of written text, or five minutes if you do not know the language, you can copy and replicate any written or inscribed words you encounter. In addition, you can precisely transcribe any spoken words in a language you know that you heard in the last five minutes.

Suggested Characteristics

Scribes tend to be studious and devoted to their work. They tend to be driven by their loyalty to their employer and a desire to provide order in what might be the normally chaotic environment of a courtroom. Alternatively, they may be using their station as scribe to steal secrets or documents for their own gain.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I despise useless banter and small talk. If you're going to talk, talk about something useful.
2	I observe everything around me reflexively, which can get overwhelming.
3	I'm a stickler for etiquette and social expectations.
4	I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can't help it – I'm a perfectionist.
5	I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations.
6	I tend to get lost in my thoughts and ignore those around me.
7	I've seen enough arguments to hate them.
8	I tend to bluntly say what other people are hinting at or hiding.

d6	Ideal
1	Responsibility. It is my duty to respect the authority of those above me, just as those below me must respect mine. (Lawful)
2	Free Thinking. Inquiry and curiosity are the pillars of progress. (Chaotic)
3	Respect. Respect is due to me because of my position, but all people regardless of station deserve to be treated with dignity. (Good)
4	Manipulation. I will use my knowledge and reputation to manipulate those around me. (Evil)
5	Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral)
6	Aspiration. I'm determined to make something of myself. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	I have a document that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands.
2	I still consider myself a loyal servant of the household I served for so many years.
3	I fell in love with one of my fellow servants. We still send each other letters even after I left.
4	My brother left when I was a child to seek adventure. I hope to find him in my travels.
5	I feel a connection to those whose works I read, even if they died decades ago.
6	My teacher taught me everything I know. I owe all my knowledge to him.

d6	Flaw
1	I lie about almost everything, even when there's no good reason to.
2	I condescend to people, and they hate me for it.
3	I can't keep a secret to save my life, or anyone else's.
4	It's not stealing if I need it more than someone else.
5	I let my need to win arguments overshadow friendships and harmony.
6	I am slow to trust members of other races.

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