The Czennar Independent Researcher background represents a character who has pursued knowledge outside of the traditional channels of education in Czennar, an island nation ruled by wizards under the Magisterium. Instead of attending one of the state-sponsored academies, you have chosen to blaze your own trail and conduct independent research. This may have been driven by a desire for intellectual freedom or a rebellious spirit that chafed against the strict rules and regulations of the academies. As an independent researcher, you have honed your skills in research, investigation, and analysis, and you are adept at finding information and solving problems on your own. You have likely amassed a broad range of knowledge and skills through your research, but you may lack the formal credentials and recognition of those who have followed the more traditional path of academia. Despite this, you are resourceful, innovative, and fiercely independent, with a deep passion for uncovering new knowledge and pushing the boundaries of what is known.
- Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Perception, Arcana
- Tool Proficiencies: Calligrapher's Supplies
- Languages: Any two of your choice
- Equipment: One set of traveler’s clothes, any one musical instrument or gaming set you are proficient with, tattered old tome with faint research notes of past experiments, supplies for writing(ink well, parchment, and paper), and a pouch containing 15 gp
Perhaps you have traveled to this new location in search of a rare book, artifact, or piece of knowledge that could help advance your research. You have heard rumors of a hidden library or ancient ruins that contain information that could prove invaluable to your work, and you have set out on a quest to uncover it. Alternatively, you may have been hired by a wealthy patron or academic institution to conduct research on a specific topic, and this has led you to this location. Whatever your reason for being here, you are driven by a burning desire for knowledge and a determination to uncover the truth, no matter what obstacles may stand in your way.
| d6 | Why Are You Here? |
|---|---|
| 1 | Cunning Investigator |
| 2 | Intrepid Scholar |
| 3 | Curious Seeker |
| 4 | Resourceful Analyst |
| 5 | Ingenious Explorer |
| 6 | Self-reliant Researcher |
Being an astute researcher allows you to learn spells from other players and npc's not found on the wizard spell list
Copying a Spell into the Book. When you find a spell of 1st level or higher, you can add it to your spellbook if it is of a spell level you can prepare and if you can spare the time to decipher and copy it.
Copying that spell into your spellbook involves reproducing the basic form of the spell, then deciphering the unique system of notation used by the caster who made it. You must practice the spell until you understand the sounds or gestures required, then transcribe it into your spellbook using your own notation.
For each level of the spell, the process takes 2 hours and costs 50 gp. The cost represents material components you expend as you experiment with the spell to master it, as well as the fine inks you need to record it. Once you have spent this time and money, you can prepare the spell just like your other spells.
These spells appear on an alternative spell lists. While all spells learned this way, 1st level and higher, are prepared they can only be cast once per day, refreshing its use upon a long rest. Cantrips learned this way can be cast same amount as proficiency per long rest.
Suggested Characteristics
These are the suggested characteristics for an Independent Researcher.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | When I am working I get so caught up in my work I ignore everything around me, including danger. |
| 2 | I love teaching others, but get very annoyed when they don't know as much as me. |
| 3 | I know a lot about everything, and often make remarks about things in the wrong place at the wrong time. |
| 4 | I often take things very literally, and will take offense at jokes or not understand them at all. |
| 5 | I can be overconfident in my abilities at times, which can lead to a lot of trouble. |
| 6 | I have little respect for anyone that does not know as much or more than me. |
| 7 | Occasionally I may stop to examine something seemingly random even if I am running from danger. |
| 8 | I communicate through cryptic messages or other languages at times, without realizing it or thinking it's funny to watch others struggle to decipher my words. |
| d8 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Freedom. With more knowledge comes more freedom, and the more I know the bigger my advantage over my captors. (Chaotic) |
| 2 | Improvement. Knowledge can help you know how to help yourself. Everyone else comes after. (Neutral) |
| 3 | Knowledge. When you confuse knowledge with power, you get neither. Knowledge is for the sake of knowledge. (Any) |
| 4 | Charity. With knowledge we can find ways to help each other and ourselves. (Good) |
| 5 | Inquisitive. Everything is new, but I have a thirst to learn. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Suspicious. I must be careful, for I have no way of telling friend from foe here. (Any) |
| 7 | Power. I can control people with power. The more I know, the more power I have. (Evil) |
| 8 | Abstination. With lifelong study you can remove yourself from arguments and conflicts and devote your life to your work. Having bonds or associations make you trapped. (Neutral) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | A teacher that taught me everything but recently died. My work is to preserve his memory. |
| 2 | The books I devoted my life to are my only bond. Those hold everything I've worked for. |
| 3 | A university, school, scriptorium, archive, monastery, or other organization that supported and funded my work. |
| 4 | Someone doubted me and I have spent my whole life trying to prove them wrong. |
| 5 | My only bond is to myself. I neglected everyone else in my life because I wanted to pursue my work, and they left me. Now I am terrified that will happen again and I don't trust anyone. |
| 6 | My government or ruler. I think they are the highest form of good and I am devoting my work to impress them and do not tolerate anything derogatory against them. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I value a new specimen or piece of information more important than my friends or allies. |
| 2 | I will abandon or leave a quest or adventure when my work is completed. |
| 3 | I am convinced that people are going to steal the knowledge I have unlocked, and I have a very hard time trusting others because of it. |
| 4 | I don't believe anything anybody says as correct unless I can verify it. If it is not supported by my own research it is absolutely incorrect in my opinion. |
| 5 | I have a very hard time accepting that I'm wrong, and won't believe people who say that I am. |
| 6 | I can often offend people by stating my observations because I don't understand that people don't like to hear frank truths sometimes. |
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