Background: Anthropologist

Anthropologist

You have always been fascinated by other cultures, from the most ancient and primeval lost lands to the most modern civilizations. By studying other cultures' customs, philosophies, laws, rituals, religious beliefs, languages, and art, you have learned how tribes, empires, and all forms of society in between craft their own destinies and doom. This knowledge came to you not only through books and scrolls, but also through firsthand observation—by visiting far-flung settlements and exploring local histories and customs.

Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Religion
Languages: Two of your choice
Equipment: A leather-bound diary, a bottle of ink, an ink pen, a set of traveler's clothes, one trinket of special significance, and a pouch containing 10 gp

Cultural Chameleon

Before becoming an adventurer, you spent much of your adult life away from your homeland, living among people different from your kin. You came to understand these foreign cultures and the ways of their people, who eventually treated you as one of their own. One culture had more of an influence on you than any other, shaping your beliefs and customs. Choose a race whose culture you've adopted, or roll on the Adopted Culture table.

d12	Adopted Culture	d12	Adopted Culture
1	Changeling	7	Half-Elf
2	Kalashtar	8	Human
3	Human	9	Orc
4	Dwarf	10	Goblinoids
5	Halfling	11	Shifter
6	Elf	12	Lizardfolk

Feature: Adept Linguist

You can communicate with humanoids who don't speak any language you know. You must observe the humanoids interacting with one another for at least 1 day, after which you learn a handful of important words, expressions, and gestures—enough to communicate on a rudimentary level.

Suggested Characteristics

Anthropologists leave behind the societies into which they were born to discover what life ls like in other parts of the world. They seek to see how other races and civilizations survive—or why they did not. Some anthropologists are driven by intellectual curiosity, while others want the fame and recognition that comes with being the first to discover a new people, a lost tribe, or the truth about an ancient empire's downfall.

2d8	Personality Trait
2	As I speak, I can’t help but try to sound like my adopted culture. I exaggerate my inflections dramatically and gesture wildly.
3	I am opposed to beings that would seek to exploit other cultures.
4	I would work to save a new culture or the artifacts of a dead one, before I would save my friends.
5	I learned this custom from another culture and I practice it all the time. Even when it is not appropriate.
6	When l arrive at a new settlement for the first time, I must learn all its customs.
7	I would risk life and limb to discover a new culture or unravel the secrets of a dead one.
8	I make sure to think through a question thoroughly before answering.
9	I look down on those who cannot figure out a mystery, and condescendingly explain how simple the solution is.
10	I prefer the company of those who aren't like me, including people of other races.
11	I would rather observe than meddle.
12	By living among violent people, I have become desensitized to violence.
13	I left home because I couldn't stand the culture I grew up in. I went to seek out my home.
14	I take notes about everyone and everything I encounter everywhere I go.
15	I recount the customs and my experiences with other cultures to anyone who will listen.
16	I connect everything that happens to the behavior and customs of the culture I grew with in some way; it helps me to make sense of the world.

d4	Sharn Background
1	I can to Sharn to teach at the Morgrave University so that I car share all the knowledge and wisdom of my adopted culture.
2	My adopted culture was found in Sharn. I lived near or in a ward with my adopted culture. They became more family to me than my own family.
3	Around the commons of Morgrave University I heard so many stories and saw people of other cultures. I spent so much time reading as many books as I could on my favorite culture.
4	You follow a local hero that is an advocate for a marginalized people in Sharn. What better way to help than to learn everything you can about their culture and customs.

BACKGROUNDS | ANTHROPOLOGIST

d12	I became an anthropologist because ...
1	I ran away from home at an early age and found refuge in another culture.
2	Studying other cultures was the best part of my education, it's natural that I continued that.
3	My family traveled all the time and adopting new cultures just seemed natural.
4	I followed a childhood friend, a respected acquaintance, or someone I loved to another culture.
5	A visitor from another culture came to my town, and I followed him back to his home when he left.
6	Necessity forced me to another culture, since it was the only way I could survive.
7	Studying cultures was way better than studying in some school.
8	I was always enamored by tales of other cultures, and wished I could be different than I was.
9	My family was saved in the Last War by another culture, studying them just came natural.
10	My people lived on the edge of another culture, and theirs become more normal than mine.
11	I was naturally curious, so I packed up and went traveling to explore new cultures.
12	I grew up near the ruins of a dead culture and spent all my time studying them.

d12	Ideal
1	Discovery. I want to be the first person to discover a lost culture. (Any)
2	Curiosity. I want to see the whole world and the people in it. (Chaotic)
3	Might. The strongest are meant to rule. (Evil)
4	Survival. Fulfilling my destiny means living to see it at all cost. (Evil)
5	Knowledge. Knowledge is power. (Neutral)
6	Knowledge. By understanding other races and cultures, we learn to understand ourselves. (Any)
7	Distance. One must not interfere with the affairs of another culture-even one in need of aid. (Lawful)
8	Power. Common people crave strong leadership, and I do my utmost to provide it. (Lawful)
9	Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. (Good)
10	Protection. l must do everything possible to save a society facing extinction. (Good)
11	Indifferent. Life is cruel. What's the point in saving people if they're going to die anyway? (Chaotic)
12	Truth. I believe there is a pure truth to be uncovered in every situation. (Neutral)

d12	Bond
1	I work to preserve another culture.
2	Other cultures must be chronicled and preserved at all costs.
3	I am fascinated by the beauty and wonder of the land of my adopted culture.
4	I have a trinket that I believe is the key to finding a long lost society.
5	My mentor gave me a journal filled with lore and wisdom. Losing it would devastate me.
6	Having lived among the people of a primeval tribe or clan, I long to return and see how they are faring.
7	Years ago, tragedy struck the members of an isolated society I befriended, and l will honor them.
8	I want to learn more about a particular humanoid culture that fascinates me.
9	I seek to avenge a clan, tribe, kingdom, or empire that was wiped out.
10	It is my duty to protect my adopted culture.
11	I owe me life to the culture who took me in when my parents died.
12	I would die to recover an ancient artifact of a dead culture that was lost long ago.

d12	Flaw
1	I have vivid nightmares about something I once uncovered.
2	I lack good social skills, I find it easier to study other cultures than participate.
3	I have a hideous phobia that often gets in the way.
4	l wear some strange tribal item and never take it off.
5	Curiosity killed the cat, one day it'll do the same to me. I can't help sticking my nose where it doesn't belong.
6	My family lost everything in a violent attack, and no one will ever take anything from me by force again.
7	Boats make me seasick.
8	I have a deep mistrust for my own race or culture.
9	I talk to myself, and I don't make friends easily.
10	I believe that I'm intellectually superior to people from other cultures and have much to teach them.
11	I've picked up some unpleasant habits living among my adopted culture.
12	l complain about everything.

BACKGROUNDS | ANTHROPOLOGIST

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