Journalist

You are a practicing journalist, one who seeks outs, gathers, prepares, and disseminates stories and news. Whether you are independent or work for an organization or publication, you are experienced with finding interesting stories and recounting them in writing for others to consume. You might be a hard-boiled investigator, a novice just getting started, or a philosophical traveler who merely wants to spread what you have experienced to anyone interested in reading it. In any case, you have a nose for a good story and you can use your credentials to gain access to the sources of such stories where others might find their way barred.

Skill Proficiencies: History, Investigation

Languages: Two of your choice

Equipment: A notebook, an ink pen, 10 pieces of parchment, a copy of at least one of your articles or stories, and a pouch containing 10 gp.

Feature: Getting the Scoop

As a journalist, you have a keen understanding of where to look for and how to find the kinds of stories that you prefer to report about. You typically have no problem sniffing out leads for a good story from the rumors and goings on in the places you visit and explore. You have a knack for recognizing places to look, finding the right people to ask, and knowing just what to say to learn the interesting details that can lead to you uncovering a hot scoop to report about.

The GM is encouraged to use these leads as adventure hooks for you and your party.

Additionally, you are typically able to find people and organizations who would be interested in consuming and perhaps paying for your journalism; you know your audience and where you can expect to find them. This might also come in handy on occasions when such parties might be able and willing to help get you special or even exclusive access to people, places, and situations so that you can better perform your journalistic duties.

Fleshing Things Out

Some questions to consider when determining how this background applies to your character: What sort of things do you tend to report about? Who funds your journalistic endeavors? Do you work for an organization? Do you pursue stories yourself and sell them to places in need of interesting news? Do you practice a particular style of journalism that you’re known for? What is your reputation as a journalist like, if you have one? Do you have competition? If so, what is your relationship with them like?

You should also consider what caused you to take up the role of an adventurer. Did you learn to be a journalist as you pursued an adventuring career and reported on the things you encountered? Or did your experiences as a journalist lead you into adventures that eventually became the focus of your life?

d8 Personality Trait
1 I don’t like to linger in one place for too long.
2 To my mind, the best way to get a story is to tell one of your own first.
3 A little embellishment can make a good story into a great story.
4 Attention to detail is the hallmark of a good journalist.
5 I don’t believe in keeping work and pleasure separate.
6 Stories should always be shared over a meal or a drink.
7 I rely on my sense of humor in tense situations.
8 I have no problem embarrassing myself for a good story.
d6 Ideal
1 Protocol. If you treat your sources in the ways they expect and if you follow the proper channels, you will get the stories you seek time after time. (Lawful)
2 Diversity. You can find a story anywhere and from anyone. (Chaotic)
3 Education. Educated people can better make informed decisions to help themselves. (Good)
4 Propaganda. False news travels fast and often gets me what I want. (Evil)
5 Truth. Journalists have an obligation to spread the truth, even if it is unpleasant. (Neutral)
6 Influence. If you provide people with their news, you can influence what they believe. (Any)
d6 Bond
1 There is another journalist out there who is my arch-rival. I must outdo them!
2 I want my work to be known across the world and beyond.
3 My sibling was killed while investigating a certain organization, and I intend to find out what happened.
4 One of my ancestors was a famous journalist, and I want to do justice to their legacy.
5 The best part of journalism is encountering different people and places.
6 I want to be a part of history’s great events and witness them firsthand as they unfold.
d6 Flaw
1 I look down at people who don’t work as hard as me, and no one works as hard as me.
2 I never believe I’m good enough at what I do.
3 The more different someone is from me, the more suspicious I am of them.
4 I perceive insults against me sometimes when none were intended.
5 I have a tendency to over indulge in at least one particular illicit substance.
6 I am deathly afraid of heights.
Section 15: Copyright Notice

The Big Book of Backgrounds Copyright 2019, P.B. Publishing, Phil Beckwith, and Cody Faulk.

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