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Studious characters are bound to be found in every party when playing Dungeons & Dragons. Whether you're playing one yourself for roleplay opportunities, or the DM has introduced the librarian who has all the world's answers in her head, ready for you to just ask the right questions.
Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants includes a background for those looking to have studied the wonders of the world. If you're interested in building a character that has been studying the wonders of rune magic and is fascinated by this aspect of giants, take a look at the runecarver background to see if it's right for you.
What Is A Runecarver?
Before you can join the lifestyle, you'll need to understand the requirements. Runecraft was an art form invented by the giants, and then passed down to other species. Finally more widespread, rune carvers are those who have made a life out of the study of runecraft.
This style of rune magic has become more popular, and if your character is interested in giant lore and learning more about rune craft, becoming a runecarver is♔ the first step on that journey.
While giants founded the craft, because it's become popularized by other species, you'll be able to find runes with sprinkles of other cultures within them.
Runecarver Features And Equipment
With the study of runecraft, you'll need the right equipment to start your research. You'll gain the following from choosing this background:
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Features |
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Skill Proficiencies |
History |
Perception |
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Language |
Giant |
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Equipment |
Artisan's Tools |
Personal effects, gold |
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Tool Proficiencies |
Artisan's Tools |
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The book also allows you to choose your own rune style. Determine how your runes are affected based on your upbringing and 🀅background. How do you write runes? What personal accommodations do you make when creating them?
Runecarver Feature: Rune Shaper
This feature grants you the Comprehend Languages spell to cast once per long rest wཧithout a spell slot, or you c♛an use it with a spell slot.
It also gives you the ability to cast Rune Magic. You can inscribe the runes you know onto non-magical objects♉ you can touch, such as weapons, clothes, armor etc.
Once inscribed, you can invoke the rune while holding or using whatever object you've inscribed it to, casting the spell within the rune for free with no spell slot or component requirements.
Essentially, this feature allows you to store the specified spell based on the giant type on an object you can use to ca♊st it later f💜or free.
The spell you get to inscribe is based on the type of rune you've chosen to learn. You can replace the rune type with another when you level up.
The following runes are available to inscribe:
Some of the spells are situational, while others seem perfect for any occasion. Be sure to choose to research a rune that fits your character and playstyleꦚ.
How To Build A Character Using The Runecarver Background
While the runecarver background may seem a little tame compared to others, it ca𓆏n still make for a great backstory and playstyle if you build your character around it. Here are some great ways to utilize this background for your next character.
Best Classes for Runecarver Background
With History and Perception as skill proficiencies, you'll want your class to benefit from these proficiencies when choosing runecarver.
Arguably, more importantly, you'll want to choose a class that can fit the background well, roleplaying a runecarver who understands the art of making and infusing runes into their study.
Consider the following classes:
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Class |
Subclass |
Description |
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Bard |
College of Lore |
Take your study of the world and apply it to having studied runes. History is a great skill to have when settlin𓆉g on a college of lore bard, using your knowledge to tap into runeca🍰rving and its details. Free spell slots of spells you don't have or the ability to cast them without preparing them is also helpful. |
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Cleric |
Knowledge Domain |
Another subclass strictly intended for gathering knowledge, this cleric can benefit from the free♓ history proficiency. Adding another language on top of the extrasꦺ you already know and roleplaying your way into the discovery of runes and the further study of runecarving is the perfect adventure starter. |
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Druid |
Circle of the Land |
Tap int🐽o the vast history of ritual casting, mystics, rites, sages, andℱ ancient knowledge by combining the research of the natural order with the origins of runecarving. Old faith and passed-down knowledge can lead to understanding the history and origins of this craft from prior generations. |
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Monk |
Way of the Four Elements |
Take your elemental knowledge, and turn the tattoos representing your ki powers into runes you tap into for your elemental abilities. It's easy to convert your spellcasting into runecarving, learning the origins and using your tattoos as runes themselves. |
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Paladin |
Oath of the Ancients |
Another subclass that allows for the passing down of ancient knowledge. Instead of 💮adorning your armor with leaves and flowers,༒ adorn it with runes that represent nature. Study the ancient order and choose runes that represent the preservation of light and balance, upholding your oath to protect the sacred runecarving practice. |
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Rogue |
Arcane Trickster |
Prime for enhancem🔜ent and illusory magic to buff their own abilities, carefully hidden runes will come in handy to supplement your other rogue abilities. |
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Warlock |
The Archfey The Great Old One |
Holding secrets frꦦom before the mortal races, the Archfey is a perfect diety to be beholden to that can pass down information from the origin of runecarving to the current state of rune magic. Use your history proficiency and understanding of fey magic to compare and understand this phenomenon. The Great Old One, as mysterious and old as time itself, is perfect for adding History and Perception to your character's proficiencies, things you'll be used to doing while enacting their bidding. Enhance your abilities with runes, and learn their true origin while using your knowledge to serve. |
🌊These are all just suggestions; feel free to 𝓰use whatever class you want for the runecarver background.
With your species being completely up to you and your class decided, there's only one thing left to determine, and that's how your runes will manifest.
Decide whether you'll etch them into your blades, sew them into your clothes, hide them on scrolls, adorn your armor, or whatever else you can come up with.
Do your runes have any special techniques, specific languages, or aesthetic choices associated with your background or species? Choose how our choices affect your runecasting, and you're ready to begin your research adventure.