The ancient world holds secrets that could change everything, and you've dedicated your life to uncovering them. While scavengers grab whatever they can carry, you search for knowledge—the operating principles behind pre-cataclysm technology, the locations of untouched archives, and the true purpose of the strange devices that litter the world. You can identify a power coupling from a hundred paces and recognize the subtle signs that mark a facility as scientifically significant rather than merely valuable. Your contacts in the scholar enclaves trade information for information, and you know that the right piece of ancient knowledge can be worth more than a dozen energy cells.

Ability Scores: Intelligence, Wisdom

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Investigation

Tool Proficiencies: Repair kit (basic), one type of artisan's tools

Languages: One ancient language

Equipment: Scanner (basic), repair kit (basic), ancient tech fragment (non-functional), scholar's pack, 20 credits

Suggested Characteristics

d8	Personality Trait
1	I speak in technical jargon that most people don't understand, then get frustrated when they don't follow.
2	I can't help but analyze and categorize any piece of technology I encounter.
3	I get genuinely excited about mundane technical details that bore everyone else to tears.
4	I treat ancient artifacts with the reverence others reserve for religious relics.
5	I always carry a notebook to sketch interesting technological discoveries.
6	I have strong opinions about proper archaeological technique and criticize sloppy methods.
7	I can identify the historical period of technology just by examining its construction style.
8	I talk to ancient machines as if they were still inhabited by their creators.

d6	Ideal
1	Knowledge: Understanding the past is the key to building a better future. (Good)
2	Discovery: The thrill of uncovering hidden secrets drives everything I do. (Chaotic)
3	Preservation: Ancient knowledge belongs in archives where it can be properly studied. (Lawful)
4	Progress: Technology should be understood and improved, not just hoarded or feared. (Any)
5	Power: Controlling access to ancient knowledge gives me influence over others. (Evil)
6	Truth: The real story of what happened to our world must be uncovered. (Neutral)

d6	Bond
1	My mentor in the scholar enclave taught me to value knowledge above all else.
2	I'm obsessed with solving a particular mystery about pre-cataclysm civilization.
3	A specific ancient site holds personal significance and I return there regularly to study.
4	I have a rivalry with another tech-hunter that pushes us both to greater discoveries.
5	An ancient AI fragment communicates with me, guiding my research.
6	I'm searching for a lost archive that contains the answer to saving the world.

d6	Flaw
1	I value ancient knowledge more than living people and will sacrifice others for a discovery.
2	I'm so focused on the past that I ignore present dangers and opportunities.
3	I become obsessed with technological mysteries to the exclusion of everything else.
4	I'm convinced that I alone can properly interpret ancient knowledge.
5	I hoard information selfishly instead of sharing it for the common good.
6	I take dangerous risks because I believe the ancients' technology will protect me.