You spent years learning the lore of the multiverse. You scoured manuscripts, studied scrolls, and listened to the greatest experts on the subjects that interest you. Your efforts have made you a master in your fields of study.
In your dormant veins you carry an ancient curse, though how you came to acquire it is less than clear to you. Most folk afflicted with vampirism are turned against their will, and often unbeknownst to their maker. However there are those who seek the curse willingly, those who ally themselves with centuries old cults to grant themselves incredible power in exchange for undying bloodlust. Regardless of your origins you now find yourself attempting to cope with the drastic changes that accompanied your transition.
- Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, History, Religion, Persuasion, insight, Survival
- Languages: Abyssal & Undercommon. Plus one of your choice.
- Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a small knife, a letter from a dead colleague posing a question you have not yet been able to answer, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
To determine the nature of your scholarly training, roll a d6, D10 and a d8 or choose from the options in the table below.
The Bite
Prior to your current life, you were at one point introduced to the blood-curse of Vampirism. Be it by your own volition or otherwise, an elder vampire took your by the shoulders, tilted your head and placed the kiss of eternal life on your neck leaving two puncture scars and their virus to course towards your heart.
| d6 | The Bite |
|---|---|
| 1 | Turned back from the brink of death, your creator took mercy on your crumpled form and passed to you the curse of immortality. |
| 2 | Your past is foggy to you, now having lived countless centuries as a blood-starved beast of the night. |
| 3 | Accepted within the company of an ancient organization, your initiation involved the contraction of the curse that has laid waste to your veins for as long as you can remember. |
| 4 | You were chosen at random by a vile beast, who crept into your room by cover of night and drained you almost entirely of your blood. Since, without master or mentor you have been forced to learn through trial and error, and forge your own path. |
| 5 | You were transformed by the curse at an unfortunately young age, bearing the visage and often the mindset of a child to this very day. |
| 6 | Your desire for unbridled power has lead you into less than savory circumstances before, though none quite so permanent as this. You sought out, turned by and trained under a master of this wretched curse. |
| d9 | SpecialBlood |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alchemist |
| 2 | Astronomer |
| 3 | Discredited academic |
| 4 | Librarian |
| 5 | Professor |
| 6 | Researcher |
| 7 | Wizard’s apprentice |
| 8 | Scribe |
| 9 | SpecialBlood |
Feature: Heart Stopping Visage
Those who lay eyes upon your unearthly beauty find themselves in an odd position between frightened and charmed. People will have a difficult time trusting you, though once on your side will have an even more difficult time disobeying.
Researcher
When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign.
Suggested Characteristics
Sages are defined by their extensive studies, and their characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to scholarly pursuits, a sage values knowledge highly—sometimes in its own right, sometimes as a means toward other ideals.
| d9 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I use polysyllabic words that convey the impression of great erudition. |
| 2 | I’ve read every book in the world’s greatest libraries—or I like to boast that I have. |
| 3 | I’m used to helping out those who aren’t as smart as I am, and I patiently explain anything and everything to others. |
| 4 | There’s nothing I like more than a good mystery. |
| 5 | I’m willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment. |
| 6 | I … speak … slowly … when talking … to idiots, … which … almost … everyone … is … compared … to me. |
| 7 | I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations. |
| 8 | I’m convinced that people are always trying to steal my secrets. |
| 9 | You have learned to live with the blood of the vampire. You are a survivor, fighting an eternal blood-lust and its effects on your own personal desires. I don’t run from evil. Evil runs from me. I live for the thrill of the hunt. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Beauty. What is beautiful points us beyond itself toward what is true. (Good) |
| 3 | Logic. Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking. (Lawful) |
| 4 | No Limits. Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility inherent in all existence. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Power. Knowledge is the path to power and domination. (Evil) |
| 6 | Self-Improvement. The goal of a life of study is the betterment of oneself. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | It is my duty to protect my students. |
| 2 | I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands. |
| 3 | I work to preserve a library, university, scriptorium, or monastery. |
| 4 | My life’s work is a series of tomes related to a specific field of lore. |
| 5 | I’ve been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question. |
| 6 | I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it back. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am easily distracted by the promise of information. |
| 2 | Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I stop and take notes on its anatomy. |
| 3 | Unlocking an ancient mystery is worth the price of a civilization. |
| 4 | I overlook obvious solutions in favor of complicated ones. |
| 5 | I speak without really thinking through my words, invariably insulting others. |
| 6 | I can’t keep a secret to save my life, or anyone else’s. |
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