Paleontologist

An paleontologist learns about the long-lost and fallen creatures of the past by studying their remains — their bones, their nests, their surviving ancestors, and their tombs. Those who practice paleontology travel to the far corners of the world to root through untouched areas and lost landscapes, digging in search of evidence that might tell the stories of dinosaurs, monsters, ancient life,  and cataclysms.

Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Survival

Tool Proficiencies: Cartographer’s tools or Navigator’s tools

Languages: One of your choice

Equipment: A wooden case containing a map to a dig site or untouched land, a bullseye lantern, a miner’s pick, a set of traveler’s clothes, a shovel, a two-person tent, a trinket recovered from a dig site, and a pouch containing 25 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Few paleontologists can resist the lure of an unexplored land, particularly if such a site is the source of legends or is rumored to contain evidence of ancient creatures.  Some paleontologists plunder for wealth or fame, while others consider it their calling to illuminate the past or keep the world’s greatest creatures of legend from falling into the wrong hands. Whatever their motivations, paleontologists combine the qualities of a scrappy historian or naturalist with the self-made heroism of a treasure-hunting scoundrel.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I love a good puzzle or mystery.
2	I’m a pack rat who never throws anything away.
3	Fame is more important to me than money.
4	I have no qualms about stealing from the dead.
5	I’m happier in a dusty old tomb than I am in the centers of civilization.
6	Traps don’t make me nervous. Idiots who trigger traps make me nervous.
7	I might fail, but I will never give up.
8	You might think I’m a scholar, but I love a good brawl. These fists were made for punching.

d6	Ideal
1	Preservation. That artifact belongs in a museum. (Good)
2	Greed. I won’t risk my life for nothing. I expect some kind of payment. (Any)
3	Death Wish. Nothing is more exhilarating than a narrow escape from the jaws of death. (Chaotic)
4	Dignity. The dead and their belongings deserve to be treated with respect. (Lawful)
5	Immortality. All my exploring is part of a plan to find the secret of everlasting life. (Any)
6	Danger. With every great discovery comes grave danger. The two walk hand in hand. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	Ever since I was a child, I’ve heard stories about a lost city. I aim to find it, learn its secrets, and earn my place in the history books.
2	I want to find my mentor, who disappeared on an expedition some time ago.
3	I have a friendly rival. Only one of us can be the best, and I aim to prove it’s me.
4	I won’t sell an art object or other treasure that has historical significance or is one of a kind.
5	I’m secretly in love with the wealthy patron who sponsors my archaeological exploits.
6	I hope to bring prestige to a library, a museum, or a university.

d6	Flaw
1	I have a secret fear of some common wild animal—and in my work, I see them everywhere.
2	I can’t leave a room without searching it for secret doors.
3	When I’m not exploring dungeons or ruins, I get jittery and impatient.
4	I have no time for friends or family. I spend every waking moment thinking about and preparing for my next expedition.
5	When given the choice of going left or right, I always go left.
6	I can’t sleep except in total darkness.