You are a scientist, but the quiet alcoves of libraries and pale specimens pinned to boards have always left you restless. You seek to uncover the hidden complexities and endless variety of life by immersing yourself in it. Collecting samples, painstakingly illustrating all manners of living things in your journal, and keeping meticulous notes for later review are what drive you. Only once this hard work is done do you return to your fellow scholars, laden with newfound knowledge—because the books and specimens have to come from somewhere.
- Ability Scores: Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom
- Skill Proficiencies: Insight and Nature
- Languages: Two of your choice
- Equipment: A set of traveler’s clothes, a leather-bound notebook, a bottle of black ink, a quill, a set of watercolours and brushes, some glass jars, and a pouch containing 15 gp.
You are curious about everything, as only a dedicated scholar can be. However, you have a particular passion for a certain topic that has become your area of expertise. You have collected much knowledge surrounding this interest but are always thirsty for more. Work with your GM to determine a setting-appropriate field or use the table below
| d10 | Special Interest |
|---|---|
| 1 | Carnivorous Plants |
| 2 | The Social Habits of Animal Communities |
| 3 | Fungi |
| 4 | Invertebrates |
| 5 | Reclusive Predators |
| 6 | Reptiles |
| 7 | Domesticated Wildlife |
| 8 | Great Aquatic Creatures |
| 9 | Birds |
| 10 | Rodents |
Having spent your time traveling and observing the subject of your special interest, you are considered an expert on the topic. When questions arise, you typically have the answers and, if not, you can make a very educated guess. T his information can range from banal, to interesting, to invaluable.
Your notebook most likely contains many notes and carefully illustrated diagrams that can serve as reference or a way to explain the relevant information to your audience.
Suggested Characteristics
Field researchers are highly driven individuals. They will go to great lengths and endure major discomfort in the pursuit of discovery. When given a chance to speak about their interests, they light up, excited to share their passion with others. Their enthusiasm is what motivates their success, but it can lead to them being impatient to find answers, and often results in unhealthy obsession
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have an unnerving number of live specimens and keep forgetting where I put them. |
| 2 | I never know what to say in normal interactions, and so I find a way to bring up my area of study even when it has nothing to do with the matter at hand. |
| 3 | I am usually taken for a simple brute, due to my grizzled appearance. People are always surprised when I take out my watercolors. |
| 4 | I always have tea and biscuits ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice. Just because we’re on the move doesn’t mean we have to live like savages. |
| 5 | I have a special love for the art in my journal and will sketch and paint at every opportunity. |
| 6 | I’m always telling fantastic stories about my adventures, although I admit the details are sometimes exaggerated. |
| 7 | I am endlessly optimistic, and never stay knocked down for long before striking out to try again. |
| 8 | I am fascinated by the biology of people I meet, especially if they are a different species. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Conservation: I do all this in an effort to preserve and protect nature, because if nature is destroyed, innocent people will die with it. (Good) |
| 2 | Academics: I am out here on behalf of the organization that taught me all these wonderful things. I follow their direction and seek to bring back what they need. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Experimentation: Nothing important is discovered by cowards. The best way to learn about something is to poke it and see what happens. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Prestige: The truth matters far less than status and glory. Discovery is merely a means of moving ever higher in society. (Evil) |
| 5 | Knowledge: Good and evil don’t really factor into my decisions. The important thing is that we expand the body of literature for the sake of new generations to come. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Curiosity: I always desire to know more, to understand the mysterious and unravel the complex. Nothing makes me feel more alive than being the first to find something new. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am sure a certain mythical creature is actually real and won’t rest until I prove it. |
| 2 | I embarrassed myself before the academic community, and now seek to redeem myself. |
| 3 | I am writing a book and need to find something amazing for a good ending. |
| 4 | My companions don’t appreciate the beauty of life, and so I will open their eyes to the natural wonders out there. |
| 5 | Someone I care about is bedridden, and so I seek to bring them souvenirs and stories of my travels. This way they can explore the world through my eyes. |
| 6 | I am trying to complete my collection of rare specimens. It will not do to have anything but the complete set. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I get so lost in thought that I will occasionally be oblivious to impending danger. |
| 2 | I frustrate my companions with how much time I want to spend to properly observe and notate some new discovery. |
| 3 | I am prideful about my knowledge and expertise, and this can lead me to be pig-headed when I’m wrong. |
| 4 | My lust for knowledge means I will often prioritize discovery over ethics. |
| 5 | I have a very academic view of the world and often overlook the messy realities of life. |
| 6 | I think very poorly of those without formal education. |
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