You have spent most of your life engaged in studying, learning, researching, theorizing, experimenting, and making connections among academics from across many races and cultures. If there is something you don't know, then you probably know where to look it up or find out about it. And if not, you know how to find someone who does.
Now you are off in pursuit of knowledge and adventure, and the opportunity to make your own mark in your chosen academic field.
- Skill Proficiencies: Investigation, plus your choice of two from among Arcana, History, Insight, Medicine, Nature, or Religion
- Tool Proficiencies: Your choice of [tool]Alchemist's Supplies[/tool], [tool]Calligrapher's Supplies[/skill], [Tooltip Not Found] ,or [Tooltip Not Found]
- Languages: Two of your choice
- Equipment: The scholar’s robes of your cloister, a writing kit (small pouch with a quill, ink, folded parchment, and a small penknife), a borrowed book on the subject of your current study, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Though others must often endure extensive interviews and significant fees to gain access to even the most common archives in your library, you have free and easy access to the majority of the library, though it might also have repositories of lore that are too valuable, magical, or secret to permit anyone immediate access.
You have a working knowledge of your cloister’s personnel and bureaucracy, and you know how to navigate those connections with some ease.
Additionally, you are likely to gain preferential treatment at other libraries across the Realms, as professional courtesy shown to a fellow scholar.
Suggested Characteristics
Use the tables for the sage background below as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to suit your identity as a university student.
Your bond is almost certainly associated either with the place where you grew up or with the knowledge you hope to acquire through adventuring. Your ideal is no doubt related to how you view the quest for knowledge and truth—perhaps as a worthy goal in itself, or maybe as a means to a desirable end.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a tendency to be absent minded, and often forget or lose small items. |
| 2 | I’ve read many books, but am always on the lookout for more. I'll buy them if I can, copy or at least read them, if those are my only option. |
| 3 | There is very little that I enjoy as much discussions (and arguments) about theory, and the opportunity to experiment, test, and observe my theories. |
| 4 | I always have something to write with and write on somewhere on my person. Keeping notes is essential. |
| 5 | I’m willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment. |
| 6 | I am always happy to explain my thinking; and frequently get frustrated if others can't keep up. |
| 7 | I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations. |
| 8 | I love meeting other people who are knowledgeable in my field. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Truth. What is, is. It doesn't matter WHO finds the truth, it only matters that the knowledge is shared. (Good) |
| 3 | Logic. Emotions are fine, but decisions should be based on facts, not feelings. (Lawful) |
| 4 | No Limits. Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility inherent in all existence. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Knowledge is power. Knowledge is to be hoarded, not shared, and all truth is relative. (Evil) |
| 6 | Self-Improvement. The goal of a life of study is the betterment of oneself. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | It is my duty to protect my students. |
| 2 | My field notes holds important secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands. |
| 3 | I conduct research or engage in acquisition on behalf of a library, university, scriptorium, or academy. |
| 4 | My life’s work is a series of tomes related to a specific field of lore. |
| 5 | I’ve been searching my whole life to improve our understanding of my field, and the condition of the common people. |
| 6 | Knowledge and the academic community is more important than any other tie: family, kingdom, or religion. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am easily distracted by the promise of information. |
| 2 | Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I stop and take notes on its anatomy. |
| 3 | I would consider giving up my soul to unlock one of the ancient mysteries. |
| 4 | I analyze and overthink relationships and emotional issues. |
| 5 | I often oversimplify problems to "laboratory conditions," ignoring the complexities of the real world. |
| 6 | If it relates to my field of study, I won't keep it a secret. I can’t. Don't ask. |
Contacts
Former professor, librarian, or adviser
Former roommate or classmate
Comments