In your formative years, you found your way into a great institute of magical learning, where you were apprenticed and taught that knowledge is a more valuable treasure than gold or gems. You were forced to abandon your home when war, persecution, or disaster found its way to your doorstep. Fleeing with what little you could carry you've had to adapt to survive putting your academic knowledge into practical use.
- Skill Proficiencies: Survival, plus your choice of one from among Arcana, Nature, and Religion
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan’s tools.
- Languages: Two of your choice
- Equipment: A set of artisan’s tools (one of your choice), a writing kit (small pouch with a quill, ink, folded parchment, and a small penknife), a borrowed book on the subject of your current study, and a pouch containing 10 gp, Leather Armor, and either 1 simple or martial weapon or 2 light weapons.
Defining Event
You previously pursued a life of scholarship and magical study. But something happened that set you on a different path and marked you for greater things. Choose or randomly determine a defining event that caused your path to shift.
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Defining Event |
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1
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Persecution of my order or people forced us from our home.
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2
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We were forced to flee from a conquering army.
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3
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Civil war ravages our land forcing us to flee or perish.
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4
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After the collapse of the ruling order, warlords competing for dominance have forced many to flee their homes in search of safety.
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5
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A natural disaster destroyed my home, those of us who survived had to seek shelter elsewhere.
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6
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A terrible monster has claimed my homeland as its own domain. What remains of my people have been forced to shelter elsewhere until it can be destroyed.
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7
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A magical experiment gone wrong destroyed and tainted my home, fell magic makes returning impossible.
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8
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My people were witness to a great embarassment to our brutal ruler, he now seeks to exterminate us all.
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Feature: Researcher
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
Suggested Characteristics
Use the tables for the sage background below as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to suit your identity as a Refugee Mage.
Your bond is almost certainly associated either with the place where you grew up or with the knowledge you hope to acquire through adventuring. Your ideal is no doubt related to how you view the quest for knowledge and truth—perhaps as a worthy goal in itself, or maybe as a means to a desirable end.
| d8 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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I use polysyllabic words that convey the impression of great erudition.
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2
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I’ve read every book in the world’s greatest libraries—or I like to boast that I have.
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3
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I’m used to helping out those who aren’t as smart as I am, and I patiently explain anything and everything to others.
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4
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If someone is in trouble, I’m always ready to lend help.
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5
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I’m willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment.
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6
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I’m confident in my own abilities and do what I can to instill confidence in others.
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7
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I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations.
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8
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I judge people by their actions, not their words.
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| d7 |
Ideal |
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1
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Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral)
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2
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Beauty. What is beautiful points us beyond itself toward what is true. (Good)
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3
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Logic. Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking. (Lawful)
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4
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Freedom. Tyrants must not be allowed to oppress the people. (Chaotic)
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5
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Power. Knowledge is the path to power and domination. (Evil)
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6
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Self-Improvement. The goal of a life of study is the betterment of oneself. (Any)
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7
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Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. (Good)
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| d6 |
Bond |
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1
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It is my duty to protect my students.
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2
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I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands.
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3
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I have a family, but I have no idea where they are. One day, I hope to see them again.
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4
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My life’s work is a series of tomes related to a specific field of lore.
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5
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I’ve been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question.
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6
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I protect those who cannot protect themselves.
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| d7 |
Flaw |
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1
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I am easily distracted by the promise of information.
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2
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Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I stop and take notes on its anatomy.
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3
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The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed.
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4
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I overlook obvious solutions in favor of complicated ones.
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5
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I speak without really thinking through my words, invariably insulting others.
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6
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I can’t keep a secret to save my life, or anyone else’s.
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7
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I will make rash decisions when others need help, jumping in instead of analyzing the situation first (chaotic good)
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