Background: Archaeologist

Archaeologist

An archaeologist learns about the long-lost and fallen cultures of the past by studying their remains—their bones, their ruins, their surviving masterworks, and their tombs. Those who practice archaeology travel to the far corners of t he world to root through crumbled cities and lost dungeons, digging in search of artifacts that might tell the stories of monarchs and high priest s, wars and cataclysms.

Skill Proficiencies: History, Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Cartographer's tools or navigator's tools
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A wooden case containing a map to a ruin or dungeon, a bullseye lantern, a miner's pick, a set of traveler's clothes, a shovel, a two-person tent, a trinket recovered from a dig site, identification papers, travel papers, and a pouch containing 20 gp

Dust Digger

Prior to becoming an adventurer, you spent most of your young life crawling around in the dust, pilfering relics of questionable value from crypts and ruins. Though you managed to sell a few of your discoveries and earn enough coin to buy proper adventuring gear, you have held onto a n item that has great emotional value to you. Roll on the Signature Item table to see what you have, or choose an item from the table.

d10	Signature Item	d10	Signature Item
1	10-foot pole	6	Shovel
2	Crowbar	7	Sledgehammer
3	Hat	8	Whip
4	Hooded lantern	9	Map case
5	Medallion	10	A book

Feature: Historical Knowledge

When you enter a ruin or dungeon, you can correctly ascertain its original purpose and determine its builders, whether those were dwarves, elves, humans, giants, goblins, yuan-ti, or some other known race. In addition, you can determine the monetary value of art objects more than a century old.

Suggested Characteristics

Few archaeologists can resist the lure of an unexplored ruin or dungeon , particularly if such a site is the source of legends or is rumored to contain the treasures and relics of wizards, warlords, or royalty. Some archaeologists plunder for wealth or fame, while others consider it their calling to illuminate the past or keep the world's greatest treasures from falling into the wrong hands. Whatever their motivations, archaeologists combine the qualities of a scrappy historian with the self-made heroism of a treasure-hunting scoundrel.

2d8	Personality Trait
2	Scholars studying these ancient ruins in universities are to be looked down upon.
3	I strongly dislike one type of wild beast (bears, wolves, lions, etc.) that I once faced in an ancient site.
4	I would work to save the artifacts of a ancient ruin, before I would save my friends.
5	I have no fear of death in an ancient ruin, yet refuse to lead others into hopeless danger.
6	Traps don't make me nervous. Idiots who trigger traps make me nervous.
7	I would risk life and limb to discover or unravel the secrets of an ancient ruin.
8	I'm happier in a dusty old tomb than I am in the centers of civilization.
9	I look down on those who cannot figure out a mystery, and condescendingly explain how simple the solution is.
10	I have no qualms about stealing from the dead.
11	Fame is more important to me than money.
12	I idolize a particular hero of my profession and constantly refer to that person's deeds and example.
13	I love a good puzzle or mystery.
14	I might fail, but I will never give up.
15	I take notes about everyone and everything I encounter everywhere I go. You never know what is going to lead to a clue of an ancient location.
16	You might think I'm a scholar, but I love a good brawl. These fists we re made for punching.

d4	Sharn Background
1	I have come to Sharn to get on an expedition to Xen'drik. Why would I have attended Morgrave University when my training is so much better. But this is where all the expeditions leave from.
2	Dhakaani ruins are my love and I am here to spend my time in the Depths and the Cogs.
3	Growing up I fell in love with the writing on the Age of Giants by a professor from Morgrave University. I have spent my life working to attend the University and join field trip or expedition to Xen'drik.
4	I work for a professor at Morgrave University. He is a scholar and well known author, but doesn't go in the field. I am fascinated by history, and desperate to delve into actual ruins, so he has hired me to do his field research.

BACKGROUNDS | ARCHAEOLOGIST

d12	I became an Archaeologist because ...
1	I grew up near an ancient ruin, studying it as an adult was just natural.
2	What better way to travel than to explore ancient civilizations.
3	I had a family member that was an archaeologist, and took me under their wing.
4	What better way to avoid the Last War then to work for one of the universities?
5	I hid in ancients ruins to avoid death or capture by enemy forces during the Last War. I became enamored with what I saw and wanted to learn more.
6	I was given an ancient map by an old codger, was I was instantly hooked with the secrets therein.
7	I would rather study an ancient ruin in person than in a school.
8	I was always enamored by the legends of ancients civilizations. I wish I lived back in a prior better time.
9	I impressed a scholar who told me I was squandering my talents and should seek out an education to take advantage of my gifts.
10	l was always an avid reader. I learned much history on my own and I wanted to see it all in person.
11	I lost everything—my home, my family, my friends. Joining an expedition was all I could do to survive.
12	I grew up around scholars or an educational institution, professors are stuffy. I want some excitement when I learn.

d12	Ideal
1	Balance. Life and death are natural cycles and must be respected. (Neutral)
2	Culture. Learning about others reveals important qualities in us. (Good)
3	Dignity. The dead and their belongings deserve to be treated with respect. (Lawful)
4	Death Wish. Nothing is more exhilarating than a narrow escape from the jaws of death. (Chaotic)
5	Greed. I won't risk my life for nothing. I expect some kind of payment. (Any)
6	Preservation. That artifact belongs in a museum. (Good)
7	Immortality. All my exploring is part of a plan to find the secret of ever lasting life. (Evil)
8	Danger. With every great discovery comes grave danger. The two walk hand in hand. (Neutral)
9	Free Thinking. Inquiry and curiosity are the pillars of progress. (Chaotic)
10	Tradition. The stories, legends, and songs of the past must never be forgotten. (Lawful)
11	Greed. I will do whatever it takes to become wealthy. (Evil)
12	Power. Knowledge is the path to power and domination. (Any)

d12	Bond
1	No trap or riddle or puzzle can stop me.
2	The past must be chronicled and preserved at all costs.
3	I am fascinated by the beauty and wonder ancient civilizations.
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	I hope to bring prestige to a library, a museum, or a university.
7	I'm secretly in love with the wealthy patron who sponsors my archaeological exploits.
8	I won't sell an art object or other treasure that has historical significance or is one of a kind.
9	I have a friendly rival. Only one of us can be the best, and I aim to prove it's me.
10	I want to find my mentor, who disappeared on an expedition some time ago.
11	Ever since I was a child , I've heard stories about a lost city. I aim to find it, learn its secrets, and earn my place In the history books.
12	I would die to recover an ancient artifact of a dead culture that was lost long ago.

d12	Flaw
1	I am easily distracted by the promise of ancient ruin.
2	I'd risk too much to uncover a lost bit of knowledge.
3	Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life.
4	I have a secret fear of some common wild animal—and in my work, I see them everywhere.
5	I can't leave a room without searching it for secret doors.
6	When I'm not exploring dungeons or ruins, I get jittery and impatient.
7	I have no time for friends or family. I spend every waking moment thinking about and preparing for my next expedition.
8	When given the choice of going left or right , I always go left.
9	I can't sleep except in total darkness.
10	When I hear about a potential ruin to explore, I obsess over it to the point of being blind to the risks.
11	I talk to spirits from the past that no one else can see.
12	The Last War has left me bitter about the present, only the past matters.

BACKGROUNDS | ARCHAEOLOGIST

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