You have a burning passion for seeking out knowledge that has been lost to the world, and have spent years tirelessly hunting for it in libraries, in myths and in rumors.
Any promising clues found in an 800 year old poem or an ancient map would have you packing your bags and bravely venturing into the wilderness.
By now you are as at-home in one of the great libraries of the world as you are navigating an ancient Yuan-Ti temple, filled to the brim with arcane death (and possibly lost manuscripts).
- Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, History
- Tool Proficiencies: Thieves' Tools, Calligrapher's Tools
- Languages: Two of your choice
- Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a small knife, a set of common clothes, a crowbar and a lantern (bullseye), a climbers kit, a rope and a grappling hook, and a pouch containing 10 gp
To determine the nature of your scholarly training, roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below.
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alchemist |
| 2 | Astronomer |
| 3 | Discredited academic |
| 4 | Librarian |
| 5 | Professor |
| 6 | Researcher |
| 7 | Wizard’s apprentice |
| 8 | Scribe |
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
Heroic Historians are defined by their insatiable search for the artifacts and knowledge of long dead civilizations. They are adventurous academics who will stop at nothing to reclaim the wonders of the past.
This makes them highly skilled academic researchers who can also spend weeks in some remote forest unlocking long sealed temples and disabling the ancient protections therein.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | Whenever I do poorly in a social setting it's usually beacuse I have unintentionally done something offputting. "Smell? Oh that's roasted salamander dung and sandalwood, it helps when dealing with certain curses, see." |
| 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 can't help but substitute polite banter for whatever my latest historical theory is. |
| 7 | I can't help but insert random factoids into a conversation when I get nervous. |
| 8 | I often assume aggression is simply a misunderstanding and will try to explain the situation. "Oh we didn't mean to disturb you, I'm just here to do a rubbing of your beautiful sarcophagus. ...I could clean it up a bit too, if you want?" |
| 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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