Hunter background for Cairn
Largely swiped from the Fletchwind and Beast Handler backgrounds for 2e to fit into the Dolmenwood setting.
Hunter
You have ranged across the wilds from one end of the Dolmenwood to the other, living hard on the land and spying many secrets on the dark forest paths. Your experience has made you an expert in the ways of woodcraft, stalking, and survival.
Names
Robin, Nimrod, Diana, Herne, Belphoebe, Katniss, Richard
Starting Gear
- 3d6 Gold Pieces
- Rations (3 uses)
- Torch (3 uses)
- Longbow (d6, bulky)
- Rope (25 ft)
- Boiled leather (1 armor)
- Forest green mantle or hooded cloak (petty)
What has the forest taught you? Roll 1d6:
- The virtue of stealth. Attacks with your bow are enhanced if the target is unaware of your presence.
- The virtue of patience. When taking the Supply action your ability to secure Rations increases by one step (e. g. 1d4 becomes 1d6).
- The virtue of perceptiveness. Your eyes miss little that the woods can tell them, you can sense when a foe or prey are nearby even if hidden.
- The virtue of loyalty. You have gained the trust of a creature of the wood that is loyal to you unto death. Your animal companion is either a wolf: 4 HP, 13 STR, 11 DEX, 8 WIL, teeth (d6), or a hawk: 5 HP, 6 STR, 13 DEX, 7 WIL, claws (d6).
- The virtue of strength. If you are the first to attack, your bow gains the blast property for the first round.
- The virtue of speed. If you are the first to attack, melee attacks against you are impaired until you take STR damage.
What tool is always by your side? Roll 1d6:
- Hunting horn crafted from a strange creature you brought to ground. A single blast can instill fear in your foes causing them to freeze in place, or allow you to call for aid from a distance (once/day).
- Fine mesh net (petty). Despite its light weight the strands of this net are exceptionally strong and can hold even a large beast without breaking.
- Skinning knife with a finely carved bone handle. Some fey property is housed in this knife's blade allowing you to don the skin of any creature on which it was used in order to take its shape for a single night. Recharge: defeat a mighty creature weaponless and single-handed under the moon and dip the knife in the creature's blood.
- Pan flute. To while away the hours in the wood you have taught yourself to play so expertly that you can charm nearby animals for a short time.
- Gloves with claws from a great tree-dweller you defeated. When donned these gloves allow you to scale even sheer surfaces with ease.
- Necklace adorned with the claw of a great bear you defeated in its own den. Once a day you may call on the bear's spirit to gain limited endurance and strength (add 2 HP and d4 STR for the duration of one battle).