A noble archaeologist learns about the long-lost and fallen cultures of the past by studying their remains — their bones, their ruins, their surviving masterworks, and their tombs. They then will use their family influence or money to fund an expedition. Those who practice archaeology travel to the far corners of the world to root through crumbled cities and lost dungeons, digging in search of artifacts that might tell the stories of monarchs and high priests, wars and cataclysms.
- Skill Proficiencies: History, Persuasion
- Tool Proficiencies: Navigator's Tools
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a signet ring or brooch, a scroll of pedigree, a Waterskin, a set of Navigator's Tools, and a purse containing 20 gp
When you enter a ruin or dungeon, you can correctly ascertain its original purpose and determine its builders, whether those were dwarves, elves, humans, yuan-ti, or some other known race. As both a Noble and an Archeologist, when you find treasures and art objects you can determine the general value of those items whether new or old.
[Note: This feature is a variant of the Archeologist feature.]
Suggested Characteristics
Like other nobles, you were born and raised in a different world. One that grants you privilege to peruse your passions for lost tombs or ruins. You might explore lost cities to find treasure to help your family or just for the fame. Your bond might be associated with your family alone, or it could be to your team of diggers and friends helping you find and explore these dangerous locals. Your ideal depends to some extent on how you view your role in the family, and how you intend to conduct yourself in the world at large.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | The fame is important to me, but the money pays the bills. |
| 2 | I have no qualms about stealing from the dead. |
| 3 | I’m a pack rat who never throws anything away. |
| 4 | Puzzles and mysteries are what I live for. |
| 5 | My favor, once lost, is lost forever. |
| 6 | If you do me an injury, I will crush you, ruin your name, and salt your fields. |
| 7 | I take great pains to always look my best and follow the latest fashions. Even in the dustiest of tombs. |
| 8 | Traps don’t make me nervous. Idiots who trigger traps make me nervous. |
| d8 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Noble Obligation. It is my duty to protect and care for the people working for me. (Good) |
| 2 | Independence. I must prove that I can handle myself without the coddling of my family. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Family. Blood runs thicker than water. (Any) |
| 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 | Power. If I can attain more power, no one will tell me what to do. (Evil) |
| 7 | Greed. I won’t risk my life for nothing. I expect some kind of payment. (Any) |
| 8 | Danger. With every great discovery comes grave danger. The two walk hand in hand. (Any) |
| d8 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | The common folk must see me as a hero of the people. |
| 2 | Nothing is more important than the other members of my family. |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | I won’t sell an art object or other treasure that has historical significance or is one of a kind. |
| 5 | My loyalty to my sovereign is unwavering. |
| 6 | I will face any challenge to win the approval of my family. |
| 7 | I have a friendly rival. Only one of us can be the best, and I aim to prove it’s me. |
| 8 | I want to find my mentor, who disappeared on an expedition some time ago. |
| d8 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I hide a truly scandalous secret that could ruin my family forever. |
| 2 | I have an insatiable desire for carnal pleasures. |
| 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 | By my words and actions, I often bring shame to my family. |
| 6 | In fact, the world does revolve around me. |
| 7 | I can’t leave a room without searching it for secret doors. |
| 8 | When given the choice of going left or right, I always go left. |
As a Noble you are expected to lead a team not to get your own hands dirty. You have the service of three assistants loyal to you or your family. These assistants can be porters, diggers, a guide, a scribe or even a caravan master. Your assistants are commoners who can perform mundane tasks for you, but they do not fight for you, will not follow you into obviously dangerous areas (such as dungeons), and will leave if they are frequently endangered or abused. They may clean and set up your camp while you make the area safe for them to conduct research, and dig for historical artifacts in safe areas.
[Note: This feature is a variant of the Noble feature.]
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