Books are you life, studying every bit of knowledge there is in the world. Combined Scholar, sage, researcher even a lore keeper and master of ancient texts and stories, You are one of those who are trusted and tasked with collecting and retaining stories, myths, legends and histories. Many are walking libraries of information, eager to listen and to share their knowledge, while some collect this knowledge for their own means. You might have been the student with their head always in a book, absorbing as much as you could. You might have been the child always eager to listen to your grandparents’ or the village elder’s stories. You might have spent all your time growing up in a tavern, hearing tales through song and performance. You might have been all three, or more. Regardless of the origin, you have grown up around stories, and they have become a part of you. You have a memory for history, for stories, for esoteric knowledge that many don’t care to remember. Others recognize this, and many are eager to share their stories with you. In fact, many people come to trust you as a repository, and you are likely known within and outside your own people for being someone who will keep their history safe. You are the Lore Keeper, trusted by your tribe, village, organization, perhaps even kingdom, to keepsake history and learn evermore.
As an adventurer, you seek to collect and preserve ever-more stories, and share those that need to be told. But perhaps there is an ulterior motive.
Perhaps you left your origins simply to learn. Perhaps to share with others. Perhaps you left to travel the world, exploring more cultures. Perhaps you are the only one left who remembers your people after a tragedy. Perhaps you found something too dangerous to be left alone, yourself the only one you trust with this knowledge. Within these ancient texts you've studied, you've learned about occult knowledge and some of it's spells.
- 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
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 |
When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign.
Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | eldritch blast, guidance |
| 1st | comprehend languages, find familiar, hex, tenser's floating disk |
| 2nd | animal messenger, spiritual weapon |
| 3rd | aura of vitality, blink, counterspell, phantom steed |
| 4th | dimension door, mordenkainen's faithful hound |
| 5th | legend lore |
Suggested Characteristics
Sages are defined by their extensive studies, and their characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to scholarly pursuits, a sage values knowledge highly—sometimes in its own right, sometimes as a means toward other ideals.
| 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. |
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