BiFrost Homebrew: Modern Backgrounds Pt. 5

Religious
Ordained clergy of all persuasions, as well as theological scholars, are all in the religious occupation. You are a leader of your faith or at least well respected and are recognized by those who share your faith. How did you get called to this profession, was it fate or were you trained for it? Did you attend seminary? Are your views controversial or are you conservative? Is the faith you follow the majority where you are or are you in danger if you get too loud?
Skill Proficiencies: Humanities and Insight
Languages: Two languages of your choice
Equipment: A holy symbol, a set of professional clothes, a holy book, and $500.
Feature: Faithful Flock
You are well respected in the community of your chosen faith. Others will recognize you as a leader or scholar and offer you short term aid if you require it.

Rural
Farm workers, hunters, ranchers, and others who make a living in rural communities fall under this occupation. You work close to the earth and practice one of the oldest and most important professions. Are you the stereotypical simple farmer, or are you cultured, but enjoy working the land? What do you grow or raise? Do you do well, or are you struggling?
Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling and Survival
Tool Proficiencies: One musical instrument and Vehicles (Land)
Equipment: A small knife, a musical instrument, a set of comfortable clothes, and $500.
Feature: Hospitality
You are easily identified as country folk and others of that ilk will take a liking to you and help you when you are in need as long as it doesn’t affect them too much.

Student
A high school, college, or graduate student. Your main activity is learning. This might be in preparation for your future career, or it might be for the love of knowledge. What are studying? Why are you studying it? Are you on scholarship, are you taking out loans, or are you working as well? Do you socialize with other students or stay focused on your studies?
Skill Proficiencies: Current Events and one of either Humanities or Science.
Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisan’s tools, musical instrument, or gaming set
Languages: One language of your choice
Equipment: A set of comfortable clothes, a book, a pen and pad, $250.
Feature: Find your Tribe
You’ve got some larger group - a sorority, professional society, anime club - that will help you in times of need and give you what information they can.

Technician
Scientists and engineers of all types are technicians. A technician focuses on the application of science to invent, study, experiment, and create useful tools. They are focused on technology either through hardware or software. You have immense technical skills, more than just how to fix, but also how to create. What kind of technician are you; do you work with robotics, on bridges, or with some form of a telescope? Do you enjoy your work? Are you at the forefront of your research or do you work below someone else who receives the glory? What are you hoping to create?
Skill Proficiencies: Science and Investigation
Tool Proficiencies: Chemist’s Tools and Computing Kit
Equipment: A set of professional clothes, pen and pad, and $750.
Feature: Mechanical Acumen
You can attempt to fix and create small devices with the materials you have. The DM is ultimate decider of what you can create or fix quickly and the difficulty of doing so, but where others would need hours, you need minutes to jury rig something mechanical.

White Collar
Desk jockeys, lawyers, accountants, insurance agents, bank personnel, financial advisors, tax preparers, clerks, sales personnel, real estate agents, and a variety of mid-level managers fall within this occupation. A white collar worker is usually considered average, but some have loftier jobs like CEO or Partner at a law firm. They are usually good with business in some respect. What kind of job do you have; are you a clerk or a manager? Do you enjoy your job, or is it a means to an end? Do you like your coworkers, or are they the bane of your existence?
Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion and Insight
Tool Proficiencies: One gaming set
Languages: One language of your choice
Equipment: A set of professional clothes, business cards, a pen, and $750.
Feature: Networking
You have skill using your contacts and affiliations to move forward in the world. After spending some time in a location, you can use professional contacts to get certain favors such as finding a new job, clients, or even discounts. If you have notice you can arrange for favors in other cities as well through your contacts.

BiFrost Homebrew: Modern Backgrounds Pt. 4

Round 4 of these new backgrounds! I feel a little ridiculous just copying and pasting these from the file where I worked on them. So to make it a little more interesting I'll come up with a little character for each one, starting now!

Law Enforcement
Uniformed police, state troopers, federal police, federal agents, SWAT team members, and military police or all law enforcement. Law enforcement focuses on upholding the laws and statutes of land and keeping the peace. They are given a lot of power over others and can be deemed heroes or reviled. Do you strive to be a good idealistic cop or are you jaded? Have you abused your power before, or seen others abuse theirs? Have you been hurt in the field or lost a partner? How do you view criminals?
Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation and Perception
Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles (land) and one gaming set
Equipment: A uniform, a set of comfortable clothes, a badge, a club, and $500.
Feature: Political Pull
You know a long line of other officers and justice officials. You can ask for favors getting people out of jail, having their sentences shortened, having people harassed by the police or having the case go against them.

     Sgt. Daniels, an MP at Fort Hood didn't mean to become a delver, not exactly. During her basic training, they were taken out to a field and told to make their way back to camp using only the tools they had. She wasn't well liked among the other recruits and they soon "lost" her while she was making use of a bush. Never one to give up, Ashlin followed their tracks, or at least attempted to. Her efforts led her to a stream where any chance she had to track them fell away. She camped at the stream bed that night, and in the distance she saw a light. Though she knew she was far from camp, she marched towards the light and discovered a harsh column splitting open a boulder, a bifrost. Fascinated she touched it and fought the horrors within.

     Sgt. Daniels made it out of the dungeon, out of the bifrost, and out of the woods. When she returned hours before the others, it became clear the Sgt. Daniels was extraordinary. And Ashlin felt extraordinary. Since leaving the bifrost she has had a closeness with nature that has guided her on patrol and aided her in protecting Fort Hood and its community. Her senses are extra keen and her bruises and scrapes heal quickly. She is quicker than others at the MMA gym and part of her wonders if she could go professional. Ashlin hasn't told anyone about that day, but she wonders if others are starting to suspect. 

Medical Technician
A physician, a surgeon, a psychiatrist, or a nurse. You earn your money helping people in the medical field and your knowledge is always sorely in need. A doctor focuses on healing the sick and often works long hours to prepare for their entrance into this field. What field of medicine do you specialize in? Do you work at a hospital, for a small practice, or for a clinic? Have you lost an important patient?
Skill Proficiencies: Insight and Medicine
Tool Proficiencies: Chemist’s Tools
Languages: One language of your choice
Equipment: A lab coat and a set of professional clothes, first aid kit, and $1000.
Feature: Red Cross
People recognize your skill and like to keep you around especially in places where they are sorely needed. They will give you room and board in exchange for medical help. Those you help without charge will feel indebted to you. In times of emergency others will defer to your leadership if it is medically related.

     David Kim meant to find a bifrost. He had heard of what they could do on the news, seen the footage of the terrorists and the saviors, the boxers and the magicians. Everyone who came out of those things seemed to be a star, and David wanted some of that. He didn't want to be a nurse, no matte how noble the profession, anymore. Or at least, not just a nurse. 

     He found a group through Delvr that was willing to take him on his first run, if he took less of a portion of the loot. David agreed, knowing it would be safer to get his powers with an experienced group than bumbling in and becoming a statistic. When the say came, he arrived at the abandoned warehouse with butterflies creating a whirlwind in his stomach. The others arrived late and greeted each other with friendly grasps but completely ignoring him. When it came time to enter the building, he saw one of them place a hand to the door before a loud knock echoed through the afternoon and the door swung open.

     Every nerve in his body told David to run, but when they finally called for him by name, the weight of his social responsibility dragged him forward. They pushed him in, shoved him at least, reminding him to keep his head low. He came out on the other side with a heavy mace, scale armor, and a strong urge to seek light. The others never made it through the pack of fire-breathing wolves and he orcs who bred them, but David burned them alive before healing his own wounds and rushing towards the abandoned warehouse. 

     David is a professional delver now, though at times he has to supplement it with odd-jobs he can accomplish around town. He also volunteers his healing services at a clinic, both his spells and his expertise. Every now and then his old boss begs him to return, but David only laughs and tells him he'll see her next week. 

Military
All branches of the armed forces including elite training units. You earn your income by working directly for the armed forces of your country and serving wherever your country needs you. Do you enjoy working in the military, do you agree with all its decisions? Have you been in a war? Have you been deployed anywhere exotic? What is your rank? What branch do you work for?
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics and Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles (any one) and one gaming set
Equipment: A uniform, a small knife, and $500.
Feature: Rank
You have a rank in the military which is recognized by other soldiers. They will give you help when you are needy and defer to your judgement if you are above them. You can expect legal help from the military if you are in trouble, and if you die they will pay for a funeral.

     There are many delvers among those in the military. Like the military it is dangerous and it is lucrative. Private Fist Class Mark Holiday joined the marines for all these reasons, and so when some buddies said they were going out to get superpowers from one of those portals nearby, he went with them. Who didn't want superpowers? Of course, most people who entered them never came out alive, but he had already been on a tour in Afghanistan. If that didn't kill him, what could?
     In the dungeon, Mark and his friends plowed through a horde of angered wild beasts before reaching the lair of a witch who tried to harvest their hearts for dark rituals. They defended themselves, Mark himself landing the final blow with a well placed streak of energy,
     Upon discovery of their actions, the group was reprimanded before being offered positions in a new force the marines were creating to combat other powered individuals with aspirations to bring down the United Stats of America.
     Seven months later Mark was dishonorably discharged and now sulks in his parents house, drinking beers and refusing to work. He doesn't consider delving, sure it is beneath him, but as his funds and parent's patience dwindle it looks more and more appealing. 

BiFrost Homebrew: Modern Backgrounds Pt. 3

Some more modern backgrounds; I really like the idea of an emergency services character like a firefighter who uses their skills to earn some money on the side as a delver. Entreprenuer also makes a good lick of sense in BiFrost where there is a lot of money to be made exploitng the bifrosts and delvers. 

Emergency Services
Rescue workers, firefighters, paramedics, hazardous material handlers, and emergency medical technicians are all considered emergency services. Emergency service workers often enjoy the thrill of the risk and the joy of helping people. What field do you work in? Are you volunteer or career? Are you close to those you work with? Have you been in danger before while in these hazardous areas?
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics and Medicine
Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles (land) and one gaming set
Equipment: A set of comfortable clothes, a uniform, a flashlight, a first aid kit, and $500.
Feature: Quick Assessment
You can quickly assess a dangerous situation or injury to figure out the difficulty of solving the issue. For example, you can see the Wisdom (Medicine) difficulty to set a broken bone, or the Strength (Athletics) difficulty to jump across burning debris.

Entertainer
Actors, newscasters, radio and television personalities, and musicians and anyone who earns their living performing are entertainers. Entertainers usually enjoy being in front of crowds and voicing their opinions or getting others to laugh. Are you extroverted, or is what's on a camera just a persona? Are you famous locally, nationally, or not at-all, doing only small-time jobs?
Skill Proficiencies: Performance and either Acrobatics or Humanities
Tool Proficiencies: One musical instrument and either a disguise kit or another instrument
Equipment: A musical instrument, a set of comfortable clothes, a pencil and pad of paper, $500.
Feature: Book a Gig
Wherever you find yourself you can find a place to perform that will provide at the very least room and board for as long as you perform and maintain good will in the town. The more famous you are the more help you can receive, but also the harder it is to unnoticed.

Entrepreneur
People who want to be their own boss; they believe in themselves, have an abundance of confidence, and the ability to acquire the funds necessary to bankroll their newest money-making venture. These small to large business owners have a knack for putting together business plans, gathering resources, and getting a new venture off the ground. Have you been successful as an entrepreneur? What kind of businesses or ideas do you work with: technology, media, household products, etc.? Have you ever lost big?
Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion and Current Events
Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisan’s tools and one gaming set
Equipment: A set of professional clothes and $1000.
Feature: Spirited
You are filled to the brim with ideas and you like to share them with others for profit. Others can sense this in you and will grant you an audience when you come to them with a fresh business venture.

Investigative
Investigative reporters, photojournalists, private investigators, police detectives, criminologists, criminal profilers, espionage agents, and others who use their skills to gather evidence and analyze clues are all in an investigative occupation. These workers rely on their perception and insight to notice clues, catch people in lies, and ferret out the truth. Do you investigate in the private or public sector? How high do you rank? Have you had to cover up the truth, and are you ashamed of it?
Skill Proficiencies: Investigation and Insight
Tool Proficiencies: One of either disguise kit, forgery kit, or computing kit.
Languages: One language of your choice
Equipment: A set of professional clothes, a pen and pad, a digital camera, and $500.
Feature: Gather Information
After spending a few hours in a town, bar, or other social area you are able to figure out who the big players are, the feel of the town, and any other basic information without having to talk to anyone.

BiFrost Homebrew: Modern Backgrounds Pt. 2

The next round of backgrounds! This time we have some modernized repeats from the PHB, but also some new ones. I'm particularly happy with the Creative and Dilettante who fill very modern niches.
The Creative isn't quite the guild artisan, which is important considering guilds aren't what they used to be. Instead the creative is a passionate artist in their purist form.
The Dilettante, on the other hand, is broader, more vague, and yet fills a role similar to a noble in their feature, which offers a mass of social clout and puts it at their disposal. Playing these four backgrounds would certainly, easily, differ in feel, and that's what I really wanted.
I especially like to imagine a party of those with different backgrounds: a creative and his criminal drug dealer; a charlatan and the dilettante he is trying to dupe, etc.


Charlatan
Conmen, hustlers, spies, and anyone else who makes their living tricking others are charlatans. Charlatans usually enjoy their scams and swindling, working pool tables, gambling, selling false insurance door to door, and other such plots. Are you a big-time conman or do you work small grifts? Do you work alone or with a group of other charlatans? Have you been caught before and are on the run? Whats the most common con you run?
Skill Proficiencies: Deception and Sleight of Hand
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit and forgery kit
Equipment: A set of professional clothes, a disguise kit, tools to run your con, $750.
Feature: False Identity
You have a false identity, including a complete set of clothes, driver’s license, passport, credit cards, everything you need to pass as this other persona including a different background, maybe even “friends” to back up your story.

Creative
Artists of all types who fan their creative spark into a career: illustrators, copywriters, cartoonists, graphic artists, novelists, magazine columnists, sculptors, game designers, screenwriters, photographers, and web designers all fall under this occupation. Creatives of all types use their artistic skills to make a living, even if the living isn’t much. Are you famous in your field or just starting? What kind of work do you do, commercial or more artistic? Do you freelance or work with a creative company?
Skill Proficiencies: Humanities and either Persuasion or Investigation
Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisans tools
Languages: One language of your choice
Equipment: A set of comfortable clothes, a set of artisan's tools, and $500.
Feature: Bohemian Solidarity
You can get help from other creative types to find free lodging (couch surfing) and employment in a new town. They will also help you in small ways especially if you are in similar fields.

Criminal
Anyone who earns money from being on the wrong side of the law is a criminal. This occupation includes burglars, drug dealers, thieves, crime family soldiers, gang members, bank robbers, and other career criminals. Criminals aren’t deterred by the prospect of jail and often display their power easily. Are you an obvious criminal related to a gang, or a are you a power broker in the shadows, laying low? Do you work as a criminal willingly or were you pressured into it? Do you have a record, is there a warrant out for you currently?
Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation and either Stealth or Deception
Tool Proficiencies: One gaming set and thieves’ tools
Equipment: A crowbar, a set of comfortable clothes, thieves’ tools, and $750
Feature: Criminal Contact
You have a contact that can relay messages for you to and from the criminal underworld and will give you the heads up on any important news.

Dilettante
Those who are wealthy from family holding and trust funds. They typically have no job, few responsibilities, and at least one driving passion that occupies his or her day. That might be a charity, an ideal, or a lust for life. Did you earn your money through one great idea or did you inherit it? What do you do with your time, are you a playboy or a philanthropist or do you stay out of the public eye all together, focusing on your own projects?
Skill Proficiencies: Current Events and Intimidate
Languages: Two languages of your choice
Equipment: A set of expensive clothes, an expensive trinket, and $1250
Feature: Privileged
You’ve known wealth for a while and it shows. Those who recognize your name will help you hoping for a reward or simply due to deference. Those of the same social class will be sympathetic to your cause and offer assistance to you, assuming you aren't on their bad side.

BiFrost Homebrew: Modern Backgrounds Pt. 1

To go along with the new modern skill and tool lists I came out with, I figured a modern setting also needed some modern backgrounds. Modern no longer sounds like a word anymore, modern, modern, thrust.

Alright, that joke is only for me, but if you haven't seen the incomparable show Miranda, you are doing yourself a disservice.
Onward.

Since there are so many backgrounds, and I so dearly want to pad out these homebrew Mondays, I'm only going to release a few at a time. Now, be warned, most of them are based on the occupations from modern d20, but in the 5e style. Remember, if you don't like my take on their skills and tools, feel free to come up with your own, because this is just my own take on it. You'll notice the the benefits of many of them are similar, and for that I'm sorry. I had a hard time coming up with new benefits for occupations especially when so many in the PHB feel so similar. And no, I didn't add the traits...I'm much too lazy for that and I feel like there is plenty out there on how to make your character an individual.

Academic
Librarians, archaeologists, scholars, professors, and teachers are all academics. Academics make their living from acquiring and spreading knowledge. They work to stay up to date in their field and keep close ties with other academic colleagues. Are you a researcher or a teacher? What is your field of study? Do you have an academic rival with whom you battle for relevance?
Skill Proficiencies: Pick any two from Humanities, Investigation, Science, and Mystery
Languages: Two of your choice
Equipment: A set of pens, a book, a set of professional clothes, $500
Feature: Researcher
If you fail a knowledge check, you know where you can go to learn that information.

Adventurer
Daredevils, big-game hunters, relic hunters, explorers, extreme sports enthusiasts, field scientists, thrill-seekers, and others called to face danger are adventurers. Adventurers aren’t content staying at home or working a regular 9-5 job. They need to be out in the field discovering new places, unearthing secrets, and taking on challenges. Do you work with a company or are you a freelancer? Do you have some companions or are do you work alone? Do you do it for the risk or the rewards?
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles (Land)
Languages: One language of your choice
Equipment: A small knife, a set of athletic clothes, a bungee cord, a lighter, a day of rations, and $250.
Feature: Wanderer
You cannot lose your way naturally; you have wandered all across the world and can quickly get a sense of the landscape.

Athlete
Professional athletes, personal trainers, and anyone else who directly relies on their fitness and fitness knowledge are all athletes. Athletes spend their time getting healthy, strong, and flexible and in general perfecting their bodies. Do you focus on your own fitness, or help others as well? What sport do you specialize in?
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Acrobatics
Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles (Land) and one gaming set
Equipment: A set of athletic clothes, a water bottle, a day of rations, and $500.
Feature: Gauge Fitness
You can tell the relative strength and dexterity scores of humanoid creatures in comparison to you by observing them for a minute. You can also tell the difficulty of completing an acrobatics or athletics check when you have a round to consider it.

Blue Collar Worker
Factory workers, waiters, construction workers, bussers, taxi drivers, postal workers, and other service industry jobs where you're away from a desk fall into this background. Blue collar workers are often down-to-earth and are what most people would call the common man. What is your job? Is it a career or a stop-gap while you work towards something else? Are you close to your coworkers?
Skill Proficiencies: Pick two from Persuasion, Intimidation, Deception, and Athletics
Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisan’s tools and one gaming set
Equipment: A set of comfortable clothes, a work uniform, a gaming set, a set of artisan’s tools, and $500.
Feature: Workers Unite
Other blue collar professionals can tell you are part of the same class and know the same struggles. They will help you find work or lodging for a while and will assist you in any small way.