Animal Handler
You have cared for animals for a long time. Whether you were brought up on a farm, have lived for a long time in the wilderness, or brought up a single pet squirrel in your back garden, beasts have always been a part of your life. You are interlinked with nature, but have had to abandon it for adventuring. What pulled you away from your creatures? And will you ever return to them?
Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, and choose one from Nature or Survival
Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan's tools
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp. Additionally, choose 1 from:
- A hooded lantern you used on the night watch of your animals and a Small or smaller pet Beast of CR 1/8 or lower
- A mule
Special Connection
There were always a few animal types that were particularly special to you. What was it? Choose some animals, or roll on the table below 1d4 times.
| d12 | Animal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bear |
| 2 | Cat |
| 3 | Cattle |
| 4 | Deer |
| 5 | Dog |
| 6 | Eagle (or other bird of prey) |
| d12 | Animal |
|---|---|
| 7 | Fish |
| 8 | Horse (or other beast of burden) |
| 9 | Insects |
| 10 | Rat/Mouse |
| 11 | Sheep |
| 12 | Wolf/Fox |
Feature: Animal Affinity
You tend to get on with animals, and can transfer basic ideas and emotions to them. If the creature is willing, it could attempt to get help or contact someone as best it can, but it may not fully understand you or get its meaning across when it finds a person. Even animals that are hostile by nature may not attack on sight.
Animals
Animals provided in the starting equipment are meant mainly for roleplaying and utility purpose, and should only attack in self-defence or when the plot suits it, at your Dungeon Master's discretion. At your Dungeon Master's option, the animal could become your companion as a Beast Master (or Conclave) ranger, or your familiar should you have one.
Suggested Characteristics
You are often mesmerised by nature. So much as the twittering of a bird can get you drifting off into a world of your own. But you're very quick on the draw when it comes to protection. Those near you, particularly animals, must survive at all costs. If they don't, someone will pay.
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I often get lost in my own world when surrounded by nature. |
| 2 | I can't go a day without interacting with animals. |
| 3 | I was, in fact, raised by wolves. |
| 4 | I've been out of society for a long time, and sometimes get into awkward situations. |
| 5 | My animals are constantly going astray. I love them to bits, but I'm constantly on the lookout around nature. |
| 6 | Nature and I must be one. For a start, I don't talk that much. Not to people, anyway. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Life. Every living thing deserves a chance to survive. (Good) |
| 2 | Power. My animals are an easy means of seizing control. (Evil) |
| 3 | Nature. The natural world will overcome all in time. (Neutral) |
| 4 | No Boundaries. My animals deserve to roam where they wish, as do I. (Chaotic) |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 5 | Order. My creatures - and society - must be kept in line. (Lawful). |
| 6 | Animals. Beasts are our equals, if only we would stop and listen to them. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My animals are the most important thing in my life. Each one holds a special place in my heart. |
| 2 | I've always had a soft spot for one particular animal. I know I shouldn't, but he or she's so sweet! |
| 3 | My family who run the farm I worked on are most important to me. |
| 4 | One of my animals was killed by a monster. I swore to avenge it long ago. |
| 5 | My childhood sweetheart helped me with my animals from the start. I am loyal to him or her above all else. |
| 6 | I was raised by a tribe in the forest, whose animals I looked after. My loyalty will forever lie with them. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | My animals go astray too much. They'll be the death of me. |
| 2 | I hate anyone who doesn't appreciate nature. I can't help it, I just do. |
| 3 | My animals' safety is more important than any quest. |
| 4 | I treat all animals as friends, even those which could be dangerous. |
| 5 | It's hard for me to strike a killing blow. |
| 6 | I think of my animals too much, and can miss vital pieces of information. |
Variant Animal Handler: Dinosaur Raiser
You still raised animals as a living, but did so in a much more exotic fashion: you raised dinosaurs. If you wish to be a dinosaur raiser, choose the Strong Presence feature. Your experience with such dangerous creatures has led to you gaining a much more powerful personality in order to urge these creatures to do your bidding. Additionally, you could thematically alter your starting Beast to be a small dinosaur.
* See Volo's Guide to Monsters
Variant Feature: Strong Presence
If your character has an animal handler background, you may select this background feature instead of Animal Affinity.
You have a forceful personality, and people who meet you can easily see it. They may be frightened of you, or they may be more inclined to like you. You could find it easier to get information out of people, or haggling might be less hassle. However they react, they'll tend to remember your name and who you are, for better or worse. Additionally, animals you befriend will tend to remember you more often if you see them a second time.
Credits
Made in GM Binder.
Art: Matt Stewart, "Beast Whisperer" (Magic: The Gathering).
D&D Beyond, providing a good UI for initial creation.