Books are you life, absorbing every bit of knowledge contained with in their pages. you are a scholar, sage, researcher, the keeper of ancient texts and stories long forgotten. You are one of those who have made it their life's mission to preserve the stories, myths, and histories of the world. some may be willing to share the knowledge they have absorbed from their collection, others may hoard the information for themselves.
You might be the student with their head always in a book, absorbing as much as you could. you might be the librarian who knows the title of every single book on their shelves. You might be the bookseller at a small hole in the wall store, who seems to know and have the exact book you need. You might even be all three, or more. Regardless of your origin, you have grown up around books and 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 may recognize this, but your work and passion is often overlooked until your skills are deemed useful. You are the Lore Keeper, and you have made it your life's mission to preserve the knowledge within the pages of your collection.
As an adventurer, you seek to collect and preserve rare books, and regale the world with stories that have been lost to time. But perhaps there is an ulterior motive.
Perhaps you set out simply to learn. Perhaps to share your knowledge with others. Perhaps you left to travel the world, documenting the histories of other cultures. Perhaps you found a tome too dangerous for its existence to be known, and must keep it hidden at all cost. Within these ancient texts you've studied, you've learned about occult knowledge and some of it's spells.
- Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, History
- Tool Proficiencies: Calligrapher's supplies
- Languages: Two of your choice
- Equipment: a set of Calligrapher's supplies, a small knife, your favorite book, 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 | Book seller |
| 2 | student |
| 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.
Suggested Characteristics
Bookkeepers are defined by their love of books and extensive studies, and their characteristics reflect this. Devoted to literary pursuits, a Bookkeepers 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. There is beauty to be found in the pages of a perfectly preserved book. (Good) |
| 3 | Logic. Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking. (Lawful) |
| 4 | No Limits. Nothing should fetter the infinite pursuit of knowledge. (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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