World Builder Blog

So it occurred to me that while there’s quite a few backgrounds out there, there are not many which focus on non-magical healing arts. I’m talking about physicians, medics, nurses, barbers, vets, and the like. It may have occurred to me because I have a grandfather, father, and sister who are doctors along with a brother in nursing school and several members of my extended family who also work in the field. Heck, back in the day my grandmother worked for the World Health Organization like the boss she was. So you can see why I noticed the lack of medical professionals in D&D, as I have never been without.

There is something else at play here too, beyond my personal family history. In a recently recorded, soon-to-be-aired Tome Show podcast review of the Player’s Handbook, Jeff Greiner mentioned that while he really liked the fifth edition rules and classes, he missed the warlord class from the fourth edition days. I’m in agreement with him. Now, I can already hear your brain telling Jeff and me that the warlord lives on in some builds of the tactically minded Battle Master fighter archetype. I agree with that as well, but if you look hard, that build is focused on movement and giving allies attacks, not healing. It would be great to have a martial healing option. I used to dream about that before fourth edition came out and was excited to see a nonmagical healer as an option.

I understand, though, that not everyone was thrilled with the fourth edition inspiring warlord. How could his inspiring word with no magic behind it close wounds the same way a cleric’s healing word might? It’s a fair question, and some (like myself) might say hit points aren’t just your your body’s ability to take a beating, but also your endurance, etc. Yet, when dealing with an ally that is unconscious and bleeding out with a loxo tusk through his or her belly, the warlord’s healing becomes a little harder to sell. You can see why Wizards did away with that idea for fifth edition, because mechanically it works the same as a cleric’s healing which is magic. I say we still need (or at least it would be nice to have) a true nonmagical healer.

I wanted to see someone who could really heal an ally once the battle was over and aid in recovery in down time. Heck, if you had the right rules you could create a gritty world and do away with healing magic all together. With short rests, the Healer feat, and Hit Dice working the way they do in fifth edition, I thought for sure we’d see a doctor background. Well, we didn’t, but that’s ok. I can make it myself. This bad boy is going in the Exploration Age Campaign Guide for sure.

New Background: Doctor

You were a surgeon, barber, country doctor, field medic, nurse, or other medical professional. Healing wounds, treating diseases, and creating medicines for others in need was how you spent your days. While illness and injury make many uncomfortable, they are areas in which you thrive. When others panic, you’re working on a cure or stopping the bleeding.

Skill Proficiencies: Investigation, Medicine

Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism Kit, Poisoner’s Kit

Equipment: A preserved medical anomaly (such as a deformed skull or appendix), an herbalism kit, a set of traveler’s clothes, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp.

Feature: The Doctor Is In

If you work as a healer during your downtime from adventuring you are able to afford a modest lifestyle for yourself. In addition, whenever you and your allies are in a civilized settlement, you are able to provide them with free medical care and hospital beds, provided they are sick or injured. This is provided as a professional courtesy from your others in the field of medicine.

Suggested Characteristics

Many doctors share a passion for healing the human body, whether or not they have bedside manner. Their studies and experiences have given them an edge and they are often the smartest person in the room. This quality can make some haughty know-it-alls, but those who are kind are often mentors who are sought out for advice by others. Many societies hold their healers in high esteem for good reason. It’s up to you if this goes to your head or not.

d8	Personality Traits
1	I often talk about bodily fluids and other subjects most find gross, but I do not.
2	I constantly give out unsolicited medical advice.
3	Where there is a problem I cannot solve or diagnose, I talk it through until I figure it out.
4	I can never give an answer with 100 percent certainty because nothing is certain… I think.
5	When I give instructions I just tell people what to do, never why.
6	I stare openly at people who have medical ailments.
7	When I see a problem which needs solving I become obsessed with finding the answer.
8	I speak up whenever I see a person doing anything I don’t like.

d6	Ideals
1	Reason. There are no coincidences because everything can be explained with logic. (Lawful)
2	Charity. All creatures have a right to proper medical care. (Good)
3	People. Governments do not have the best interest of their people at heart. (Chaotic)
4	Knowledge. True power over the anatomy can fix any problem. (Neutral)
5	Mercy. To take the life of any creature without first exhausting all other options is unthinkable. (Good)
6	Independence. I only provide help to those who ask for it. (Neutral)

d6	Bonds
1	A relative owns a scalpel I covet which has been in my family for generations.
2	An incurable disease took a loved one and now I’m determined to find a cure.
3	I am devoted to the school where I learned my trade and hope to return as a professor someday.
4	Whenever I’m in civilization, I feel draw to other medical professionals and seek out their company.
5	I have a fascination with a particularly specialized field of medicine, such as leeching or amputation.
6	I have a precious research diary which contains all my medical observations and thoughts.

d6	Flaws
1	My opinion is always factually correct.
2	If someone asks me a question and I don’t know the answer I’ll lie rather than say I don’t know the answer.
3	Whenever someone does something even a little foolish I can’t help but berate them.
4	I do not have a sense of humor, especially when it comes to jokes at my expense.
5	I am very worried about the long-term effects of magical healing, but I will rely on it in a pinch.
6	In cases of extreme suffering I will take the life of patients even when it is against their wishes.

Variant Doctor: Veterinarian

If you want to play a doctor who treats animals instead of people, you gain proficiency in the Animal Handling skill instead of the Investigation skill. In addition give yourself the Sure Thing, Doc background feature in place of The Doctor Is In feature.

Variant Feature: Sure Thing, Doc

If you work as a vet during your adventuring downtime you are able to afford a modest lifestyle for yourself. In addition when you require an animal (such as horses for mounts or bloodhounds for tracking) you are able to borrow them from a client, provided you return the animals in good health. The actual terms of the agreement with the client are between you and DM.

So there it is! The doctor!

No, no not THAT The Doctor, you nerds. This is the cool-guy D&D fifth edition background doctor. Let me know what you think and enjoy!

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