You spent your youthful years learning the lore of the multiverse. You scoured illustrated manuscripts, studied animated scrolls, and watched plays about the greatest experts on the subjects that interest you. Your efforts have made you odd and off-putting, but also a master in your fields of study. It is a shame that your fields of study were all so esoteric and impractical.
- Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, History
- Languages: Two of your choice
- Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a small knife, a letter from a dead colleague posing a question you have not yet been able to answer, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Specialty
To determine the nature of your scholarly training, roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below.
| d8 |
Specialty |
|
1
|
Alchemist
|
|
2
|
Astronomer
|
|
3
|
Discredited academic
|
|
4
|
Librarian
|
|
5
|
Professor
|
|
6
|
Researcher
|
|
7
|
Wizard’s apprentice
|
|
8
|
Scribe
|
Feature: Well, Actually
Once per short rest you can expend a spell slot to gain advantage on a knowledge check.
Suggested Characteristics
Lore Nerds are defined by their obsessive studies in mostly useless areas, and their characteristics reflect this life of fixation. Devoted to their interests, a lore nerd values being right about their subjects of interest—sometimes in its own right, often so much that it causes social frictions.
| d8 |
Personality Trait |
|
1
|
I use polysyllabic words that convey the impression of great erudition.
|
|
2
|
I’ve read every book in the world’s greatest libraries—or I like to boast that I have.
|
|
3
|
I’m used to helping out those who aren’t as smart as I am, and I patiently explain anything and everything to others.
|
|
4
|
There’s nothing I like more than a good mystery.
|
|
5
|
I’m willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment.
|
|
6
|
I … speak … slowly … when talking … to idiots, … which … almost … everyone … is … compared … to me.
|
|
7
|
I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations.
|
|
8
|
I’m convinced that people are always trying to steal my secrets.
|
| d6 |
Ideal |
|
1
|
Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral)
|
|
2
|
Beauty. What is beautiful points us beyond itself toward what is true. (Good)
|
|
3
|
Logic. Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking. (Lawful)
|
|
4
|
No Limits. Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility inherent in all existence. (Chaotic)
|
|
5
|
Power. Knowledge is the path to power and domination. (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
|
I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands.
|
|
3
|
I work to preserve a library, university, scriptorium, or monastery.
|
|
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 for the answer to a certain question.
|
|
6
|
I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it back.
|
| 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
|
Unlocking an ancient mystery is worth the price of a civilization.
|
|
4
|
I overlook obvious solutions in favor of complicated ones.
|
|
5
|
I speak without really thinking through my words, invariably insulting others.
|
|
6
|
I can’t keep a secret to save my life, or anyone else’s.
|
