You have spent your life studying and unearthing secrets that others are either not aware of, or would be afraid to delve into. You are fascinated by secret societies, cults, nefarious rituals, dark magic, strange occurrences, mysteries, legends, dead religions, ancient indecipherable tomes, creatures and powerful otherworldly beings that defy the natural order.

You understand that your work at times puts you in great danger and may ultimately jeopardize your very soul, but your calling is to shed light on that which occurs under the cover of darkness. Other people may think you are obsessed and that your close proximity to such corruptions has tainted you in some way. What they don’t understand is that your work makes them safer by ensuring that these forces cannot continue to operate unseen.

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Religion

Languages: Choose two exotic languages (Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, or Undercommon)

Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a book containing forbidden lore, a small knife, a tinderbox, 5 candles, a piece of chalk, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp.

Suggested Characteristics

Occult scholars are defined by their extensive studies, and their characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to scholarly pursuits, a occult scholar values knowledge highly—sometimes in its own right, sometimes as a means toward other ideals.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I always speak like I know what I am talking about, even when I don’t.
2	I tend to get angry when people don’t heed my warnings.
3	I love to collect books and obscure manuscripts; you never know what secrets they might hold.
4	I don’t like to destroy things until I’ve learned everything I can from them.
5	Sometimes I need to talk slower and use smaller words in order for people to understand me.
6	I’m sympathetic towards individuals who have been coerced or corrupted by evil forces.
7	I don’t think objects can be inherently evil.
8	Sometimes I get excited and lose my train of thought, or change subject mid-sentence.

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	I would pay any price to get my hands on a rare item or secret piece of knowledge.
2	I don’t worship, but revere, a certain otherworldly being because of the awe it inspires with its beauty and power.
3	I have a grimoire that contains horrifying secrets that I must translate and keep from the wrong people.
4	I have made promises to otherworldly beings in exchange for knowledge; one day they will come to collect.
5	I have lead companions to their deaths on my quests; I can’t let them have died in vain.
6	An entire town was lost because I didn't know enough about what threatened them; I will not let that happen again.

d6	Flaw
1	I can’t resist opening, touching, or reading things that are best left alone.
2	Sometimes I don’t recognize when danger is just a step away.
3	I have exposed myself to things that have left me with an annoying tic or mannerism.
4	I don’t consider my audience, and can overly scare people with the things I say or stories I tell.
5	I have a reputation for disturbing dangerous creatures that wreak havoc.
6	My hubris will probably lead to my perdition.