Bound to a forgotten place of knowledge by an arcane contract, you’ve spent lifetimes among ancient tomes and runes older than history itself. You are not just a scholar—you are a guardian, a spirit, or a cursed soul tethered to secrets best left untouched.
- Skill Proficiencies: You gain proficiency in Arcana and Insight, reflecting your deep understanding of magic and your subtle awareness of others' motives.
- Tool Proficiencies: You gain proficiency in Calligrapher’s Supplies, essential for maintaining scrolls, contracts, and magical scripts.
- Languages: You can read, speak, and write one exotic language of your choice (such as Deep Speech, Celestial, or Infernal), the tongue of forgotten texts and extraplanar entities.
- Equipment: A blackened library key that hums with latent magic, a worn but pristine cloak embroidered with shifting runes, a calligraphy set, a small locked tome you cannot open, and a pouch containing 10 gp.
Library Origin
Your connection to the Forbidden Library, or the source of your arcane contract, shaped your fate. Choose or roll on the following table to determine your origin.
| d4 |
Library Origin |
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1
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Archivist – You were once a dedicated scholar of the Archive, keeping its knowledge organized and cataloged. You can recall specific information from the Archive at will.
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2
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Forbidden Knowledge Seeker – You sought out the Archive to uncover forbidden or dangerous knowledge, and in doing so, you’ve grown accustomed to the mental strain of dangerous spells and concepts.
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3
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Library Guardian – You were chosen to protect the Archive, and as a result, your mind is linked to the Archive’s sentient guardians, granting you visions and warnings about those who seek to misuse its power.
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4
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Cursed Patron – An unknown force within the Archive has attached itself to you, cursing you with visions of its forgotten, forbidden corners. The power and torment you experience are equal.
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Feature: Warden of Lost Lore
You have access to hidden or lost knowledge and a reputation in certain magical circles (even if you're unaware of it). In scholarly institutions, arcane orders, or among extraplanar beings, you may be recognized or respected as a keeper of forbidden knowledge. You can often gain access to libraries, magical archives, or secure rooms as long as your true purpose is concealed.
Spell List
These spells are drawn from ancient tomes hidden deep within the Sealed Archive, a mysterious extradimensional library guarded by spirits bound by arcane contracts. Casters who access this knowledge channel long-lost secrets, often at a cost.
Suggested Characteristics
As a creature bound by arcane purpose, you’ve seen the minds of mortals come and go. Your solitude and timeless study have shaped both your personality and your flaws, giving you great strength of knowledge but a fragile emotional core.
| d8 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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I speak in riddles or metaphors, often quoting ancient texts no one else has read.
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2
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I value knowledge above all, even morality, friendship, or safety.
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3
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I often forget the present, lost in thoughts of past lives, dusty scrolls, or broken tomes.
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4
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When I speak, it’s slow and deliberate, as if every word carries cosmic weight.
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5
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I am fiercely protective of secrets, mine and others.
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6
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I trust books more than people.
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7
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I believe everything can be explained if you know where to look.
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8
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I often lose sleep over unanswered questions — literal and philosophical.
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| d6 |
Ideal |
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1
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Knowledge. The pursuit of truth is the highest calling. (Neutral)
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2
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Order. Secrets must be protected; some knowledge is too dangerous. (Lawful)
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3
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Freedom. All beings deserve the right to seek understanding. (Chaotic)
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4
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Power. Knowledge is a weapon. I will not be left defenceless. (Evil)
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5
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Curiosity. I will never stop asking questions — about the world, about myself. (Any)
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6
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Balance. The veil between planes must be guarded, not pierced freely. (Neutral)
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| d6 |
Bond |
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1
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I once made a pact with a being of knowledge, I’m still paying the price.
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2
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There is one forbidden tome I must find — even if it destroys me.
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3
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I owe everything to the mentor who taught me how to read the world between the lines.
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4
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I am the last guardian of a secret that must never be spoken.
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5
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I protect the weak from the truths that would shatter them.
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6
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A vision I received long ago shapes every choice I make.
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| d6 |
Flaw |
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1
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I will endanger myself or others to uncover hidden truths.
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2
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I lie compulsively to protect secrets — even harmless ones.
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3
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I consider those who fear knowledge to be lesser.
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4
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My obsession with the arcane can make me blind to reality.
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5
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I hoard information, refusing to share even when I should.
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6
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I often speak cryptically or condescendingly, alienating others.
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Contacts
You might know extraplanar spirits, librarians, magical researchers, or even rival knowledge-seekers who wish to unlock your secrets.
| d4 |
Contact |
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1
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The Keeper of Whispers — a mysterious figure who trades secrets like currency.
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2
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A Forgotten Apprentice — someone you taught (or were taught by) who vanished under suspicious circumstances.
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3
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The Ashen Seer — a blind oracle who once shared a glimpse of your future.
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4
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The Contracted Entity — an otherworldly being who still occasionally demands "favors" in exchange for power.
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| d4 |
Non-contact |
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1
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Cursed Artifact: An object of great power that is tied to your character's past. It might be an heirloom, a weapon, or a trinket, and it is said to be cursed, granting power at a great personal cost.
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2
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The Forbidden Tome: A cursed book, locked and filled with forbidden knowledge. Your character seeks it or is bound by fate, though unable to open it. It could hold the key to a lost secret or forbidden magic.
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3
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The Phantom: A spectral presence haunts your character—a ghost of a loved one, a mysterious entity, or a vengeful spirit. Though unseen, it guides, warns, or influences your character in obscure ways.
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4
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The Lost City: An ancient, mythical place your character seeks. Hidden, lost, or buried, it holds answers to their past or powerful secrets. Dreams, visions, or prophecies drive them to uncover it.
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