Academics use their education and knowledge from extensive studies to make a living and achieve their life’s ambitions. Academics are generally held in higher regard than most other backgrounds, as their skills are sought after by the wealthy and powerful. Academics make great researchers, investigators, and versatile problem-solvers.

Antiquarians are fascinated with history and identifying ancient artifacts and texts. They gather rare and lost items to add to their collections. Antiquarians’ skill with identifying the properties of artifacts makes them adept problem solvers, especially when ancient artifacts and languages are involved.

Rank 1 - Museum Scholar
You work in a museum and have spent your time learning about the intricacies of every cultural artifact there. Under the guidance of the head scholar at the museum, you grew into a respectable scholar in your own right.
Holdings:
A desk within a library, college or museum, with access to common resources. A map or letter detailing the location of a hidden treasure or relic.
Progression:
Acquire a small collection of antiquities, which fellow antiquarians acknowledge.
Rank 2 - Adept Collector
After spending a considerable amount of time and money, you have started a reasonable collection of antiquities that you wish to one day put on display.
Holdings:
A small collection of prized antiquities, and a quaint office to display and store them in.
A hireling scholar who tends to your collection and undertakes research for you.
Progression:
To progress in this profession, you must build multiple collections dedicated to diverse subjects. Additionally, you must accommodate your collection in a gallery of suitable size and grandeur.
Rank 3 - Senior Professor
You now hold a position of esteem within the world of academia. You have dedicated a large portion of your time and efforts to extracting secrets from each item and sharing these discoveries with others. Students flock from around the world to hear you speak on the subjects of your specialization.
Holdings:
An array of prized collections, each holding secrets to lost civilizations, forgotten magics, or legends.
An extravagant gallery that displays and protects your collections.
A team of assistants and scholars who attend to the collections, conduct research, and explore the world to find more antiquities.
A small following within the world of academia, who seek you out to discuss and learn about your collection.
Progression:
To progress in this profession, you must create a great museum, with extensive collections spanning many subjects, time periods, and cultures within the world. You must document a great finding about a lost subject, magic item, or tradition, and be cited in others’ work regarding the subject.
Rank 4 - Curator
You have become one of the most renowned living antiquarians. Having been referenced in many scholars’ books about your studies, and having authored a few yourself, you are now a consulted
expert on several subjects relating to your vast collections. You are the curator of your own museum, with scholars and collectors traveling across the world to visit it.
Holdings:
A great museum, with collections that draw monarchs and common folk alike, inspiring wonder and awe.
A dedicated team of antiquarians that manage your collections and museum, scouring the world for relics that would make fine additions to your impressive array.
A position within a prestigious council of academics, who regard you as an esteemed peer and assist you with your studies.

Select a talent upon choosing this advanced background, and one at each rank up of progression.

Skill Proficiencies: Gain History, then choose one from Arcana, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, Religion.

Tool Proficiencies:

Languages: Choose one standard and one exotic.

Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a letter opener, parchment, a fine brush, a magnifying lens, a small wooden crate to store relics, and 10 gp.