Details
- Abilities: Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma
- Skills: History, Insight
- Tool: Calligrapher's Supplies
- Feat: Skilled
Description
You serve as a respected advocate and advisor, skilled in navigating the complexities of politics and history. Your keen insight allows you to read people and situations with ease, while your refined intellect and commanding presence open doors. You carry yourself with the confidence of one who shapes decisions and influences outcomes, often wielding the power of the written word to sway opinion.
Equipment
Choose A or B: (A) Calligrapher's Supplies, a fine set of Traveler's Clothes, a bottle of ink, parchment, and 10 GP; or (B) 50 GP
At a glance
- Table role: Records and secrets
- Family: Diplomatic
- Primary pillar: Social
- Secondary pillar: Exploration
- Themes: political intrigue, historical knowledge, social influence, written persuasion, public speaking
What this background is good for
Choose Tribune if you want a character who turns political intrigue, historical knowledge, social influence, written persuasion, and public speaking into usable table momentum. Its skill package points toward History and Insight, so the background naturally rewards players who ask questions, notice patterns, and act on practical details. As a Diplomatic background, it gives the character a clear place in the world instead of just a mechanical bonus. The Skilled feat, Calligrapher's Supplies, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma abilities help define how this character contributes before initiative is rolled.
Play this if...
- You want to play a Cunning Advisor rather than a generic adventurer.
- You want scenes built around political intrigue, historical knowledge, social influence, written persuasion, and public speaking.
- You are considering Bard, Wizard, Cleric, and Rogue and want the background to support that identity.
How to play this background
You leverage your knowledge and presence to sway decisions and shape political outcomes in complex social environments.
Table cues
- Track who holds political favors nearby.
- Note changes in public opinion quickly.
- Identify key influencers in social gatherings.
- Observe body language in negotiations.
- Watch for secret messages or documents.
For Dungeon Masters
Use Tribune when the campaign benefits from scenes about political intrigue, historical knowledge, social influence, written persuasion, and public speaking. The Diplomatic angle gives you a quick way to attach NPCs, locations, favors, and complications to the character. Build scenes where History, Insight, and Calligrapher's Supplies can reveal information, open a route, or change how an NPC reacts. A simple recurring cue: track who holds political favors nearby.