Since you were young or younger you have spent significant time in places of study such as a library, archive, school, college, university or your own personal dwelling. What you research could be anything from the birds and the bees to the magical connections between realms. Your research could be well publicized or kept secret for yourself to build upon.
Researchers span the alignment chart with little restriction on what they are categorized into
- A lawful good researcher may not study certain topics due to law or personal code and would use their research for the betterment of others
- A true neutral researcher may study for their own interests, not thinking how it would affect others and perhaps not think about it's moral implications either
- A chaotic evil researcher's work may have little or no moral restrictions, this research could benefit themselves or maybe help destroy their enemies
- Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, History, Medicine, investigation, Nature, Religion, Animal Handling, Insight, Survival, Persuasion
- Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisan's tools
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment:
- Bottle of ink, ink pen and book
- Hourglass, spyglass, magnifying glass or 6 glass containers
- Paper case, pouch or backpack
- 10 sheets of either parchment or paper
Within your research notes is a plethora of information on your chosen subject, this information can be used to help you and your party throughout your adventures. At any point you may consult your notes on your chosen subject and apply the info to a situation. For example: you study beasts so if encountering one you may ask your DM if you would know any strength or weaknesses it has, what kind of senses it has, it's average HP, common fears like fire, what food/smells attract it, what languages it knows, how it usually behaves etc...
You do not need to write down physical notes, simply discuss what your character researches with your DM and when a situation arises that you feel is relevant simply ask if you would know anything. Your DM may ask you to roll for a related skill but they do not have to.
Suggested Characteristics
With such a wide variety of research topics for your character to study the personality and story of your researcher can be anything you imagine. Below are just some options and ideas that you can choose from and edit
| d10 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I love to delve deep into my work, you won't find me outside/inside for weeks |
| 2 | I work hard on my research, anyone who insults it will be in big trouble |
| 3 | Research is more like a hobby to me, if you tell me to hurry up I'll slow down |
| 4 | Life isn't meant to be stationary, I research on the go |
| 5 | I keep my research at (place) and sometimes like a break from it's stresses |
| 6 | I have no time for social interaction while I have research to do |
| 7 | If there's danger I take notes first then run/fight |
| 8 | I'm always polite and respectful to other academics |
| 9 | I see things in different and sometimes strange ways compared to most, people sometimes judge me for this |
| 10 | I find talking to fellow academics very easy and can often find common ground |
| d8 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | One day my research will be the most renowned in the land |
| 2 | This world needs to change and my research will be the catalyst |
| 3 | My research will reveal the inner workings of the universe |
| 4 | There's nothing I won't study, even if it's morally questionable |
| 5 | My research is for good, some moral questions were never meant to be answered |
| 6 | What's the point in being emotional all the time, I just think about everything logically |
| 7 | My work is the only thing that matters to me |
| 8 | Everything I do must be better than the previous, it stresses me but I wouldn't have it any other way |
| d12 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | When my research is completed It will greatly help my people in their struggle |
| 2 | I secretly detest my work but I need it to help those I love |
| 3 | My research was to be used for good but someone used it for evil and everyone blames me |
| 4 | Someone or something is threatening me to continue my research after I discovered it could do more harm than good |
| 5 | Someone I know was wrongly accused, my research will set them free |
| 6 | The law prevents me from performing my work, I must leave or change the law |
| 7 | I am building upon the research of a loved one, they could be dead or kept prisoner |
| 8 | If my research is proven wrong I will be sentenced to death |
| 9 | I was cursed by something to research for the rest of my days but I hate it with a passion |
| 10 | My research would start a revolution but I could die in the process |
| 11 | My research will prove an emperor wrong but it would drive them to suicide because of the things they have done |
| 12 | If my research is proven right I will be sentenced to death |
| d12 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I always do things last minute no matter the situation |
| 2 | I stopped researching some time ago but I yearn to return to it |
| 3 | I can't stop researching for long or I lose my train of thought |
| 4 | I talk to my research like another person, sometimes a lover |
| 5 | The love of my research often comes out in conversation as large information dumps on unwilling ears |
| 6 | I am unbelievably gullible and lies are often mistakenly written into my work |
| 7 | My research wasn't far from completion but I went off adventuring |
| 8 | Nobody believes my research but I know it to be true |
| 9 | I try to apply my research to every related situation and sometimes it leads to dangerous situations |
| 10 | My intellect is clearly higher than most |
| 11 | I believe that my research is a great conversation starter no matter the listener |
| 12 | I am a perfectionist so my research must not have a single flaw even if I have to rewrite the whole thing |
Comments