Arcane Engineer (Arcane Background)
Skill Proficiencies Arcana, Investigation
Tool Proficiencies One type of artisan's tools
Languages Choose one of Draconic or Goblin
Equipment
- One set of artisan's tools
- The charred and twisted remains of a failed experiment
- A hammer
- A block and tackle
- A set of common clothes
- A belt pouch containing 5 sp
Features
Urban Infrastructure
The popular conception of arcane engineers is based on mad inventions, dangerous experiments, and explosive blasts. Much of that perception is accurate, but they are also involved with mundane tasks of construction and architecture-primarily in crafting the infrastructure that allows people to enjoy running water, levitating platforms, and other magical and technological wonders.
You have a basic knowledge of the structure of buildings, including the stuff behind the walls. You can also find blueprints of a specific building in order to learn the details of its construction. Such blueprints might provide knowledge of entry points, structural weaknesses, or secret spaces. Your access to such information isn't unlimited. If obtaining or using the information gets you in trouble with the law, there are likely to be repercussions.
Engineering Spells
Prerequisite: Spellcasting or Pact Magic class feature. For you, the spells on the Engineering Spells table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting class. (If you are a multiclass character with multiple spell lists, these spells are added to all of them.)
Engineering Spells
| Spell Lvl |
Spells |
| Cantrip |
produce flame, shocking grasp |
| 1st |
chaos bolt, unseen servant |
| 2nd |
heat metal, barkskin |
| 3rd |
call lightning, elemental weapon, glyph of warding |
| 4th |
conjure minor elementals, divination, resilient sphere |
| 5th |
animate objects, conjure elemental |
Your spells tend to be loud, flashy, or explosive, even when the effect is unremarkable. For example, when you open a portal with a spell, the portal might be outlined by harmless, showy sparkles.
If you use an arcane focus, it probably takes the form of an intricate device that could include metal gauntlets, glass canisters, copper tubing, and leather straps attaching it to your body.
The
chaos bolt spell is a favorite of arcane engineers because of its unpredictable nature.
Traits
| d8 | Arcane Engineer Personality Trait |
|---|
| 1 | I have a hard time staying focused on ? Oh, and my brain tends to jump from one? Did I mention focus? |
| 2 | I get really excited about my ideas and I can't wait to talk about them and start putting them into practice and I want to tell you about how exciting it all is! |
| 3 | It's not magic-or anything, really-if you do it only halfway. Whatever I do, I give it all I've got. |
| 4 | I do what my gut tells me. |
| 5 | I quote (or misquote) sacred texts and proverbs in almost every situation. |
| 6 | I pepper my speech with the incomprehensible jargon of my trade, like mizzium droplets inserted into a weird-field suspension. |
| 7 | Great ideas are fine, but great results are what counts. |
| 8 | If you can guess what I'm about to do, that means I've run out of imagination. |
Ideal
| d6 | Arcane Engineer Ideal |
|---|
| 1 | Guild. My guild is all that really matters. |
| 2 | Creativity. Half the world's troubles come from old thinking. We need innovative solutions. |
| 3 | Discovery. Every experiment has the potential to reveal more secrets of the world. |
| 4 | Science. A rigorous application of logical principles and protocols will lead us toward progress more surely than any belief system. |
| 5 | Fun. I love my job! Despite the dangerous working conditions, there's nothing I'd rather do. |
| 6 | Power. Someday I'll find or create the magic that will make me the most powerful being in Valine. |
Bond
| d6 | Arcane Engineer Bond |
|---|
| 1 | I have dedicated my life to finding a solution to a scientific problem. |
| 2 | I'll never forget the laboratory where I learned my skills, or the other attendants who learned alongside me. |
| 3 | I'm convinced it was sabotage that destroyed my first laboratory, and I seek revenge against whoever did it. |
| 4 | I have the schematics for an invention that I hope to build one day, once I have the necessary resources. |
| 5 | A rival and I are racing to solve the same puzzle. |
| 6 | I would do anything the guildmaster told me to do. |
Flaw
| d6 | Arane Engineer Flaw |
|---|
| 1 | If there's a plan, I'll probably forget it or ignore it. |
| 2 | I get bored easily. So I'll make something happen. |
| 3 | Nothing is ever simple, and if it is, I'll make it complex. |
| 4 | I don't sleep when I'm researching. health be damned. |
| 5 | I'm convinced there's nobody as smart as me. |
| 6 | I'm incapable of admitting a flaw in my logic. |
Comments