Legend's Scholar | Background | Dungeons & Dragons 5e | Statblocks & Sheets | World Anvil

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Legend's Scholar

An ancient world like Iùrmen harbours legends of all kinds, written and handed down during the ages. There are individuals who become expert connoisseurs of stories and rumors, hoarders of books of legends and master storytellers who entertain their companions. A Legends’ Scholar is this and much more, being a person devoted to knowledge and study. The horrors, the creatures, and the stories about this age and the previous are a matter of curiosity and research for the learned.

Skill Proficiencies Arcana or Religion; History or Nature
Languages two languages of your choice (except Whispers of the Echoes)
Equipment two books on myths and legends (each relating to one of the two skills obtained with this background), four candles, a pipe, aromatic tobacco (choice between vanilla and honey, licorice, rosemary, or mint), scholar's tunic, a purse with 15 gp

Features

Feature: Ink Legends

When you make a check about myths and legends with one of the skills obtained from this background, if you have a book related to the subject, you can spend a minute reading. By doing so, you will have Advantage on the Skill Check. The information thus obtained will be narrated by the NM in the form of a metaphor, poem, fairy tale, myth or legend (do not expect answers such as "these creatures are vulnerable to radiant damage, and susceptible to moonlight", but rather "the legend of Uthyr tells how the knight waited for the first lights of Mirithlen to fight the beings who wanted to tear his soul away; his blade glowed with a shining silver halo and cleaved the darkness leaving no room for escape.”)
Every time you use this feature, roll 1d20. If you get 1 as a result, that book no longer has secrets, and can no longer be used with this feature.
Books about Myths and Legends: When you choose this background, you get two books about myths and legends that allow you to use the Ink Legends privilege. If a book is lost, stolen, destroyed or no longer has secrets for the owner (see above), then you need to find another one in order to use the feature.

Suggested Characteristics

In many situations, nocturnal adventurers may need to deepen their knowledge of monsters, legends, historical events, etc. The Legends’ Scholar stand as fundamental allies in these circumstances, given their affinity with history and folk customs. They are often also Masters of Tradition whose thirst for knowledge is accentuated or are itinerant scholars who lend their knowledge and experience to the party.

Traits

d8Personality Traits
1I ask a lot of questions.
2I love making small bets on everything.
3I speak very slowly and use long, archaic words.
4My language and bearing are worthy of a nobleman.
5I love talking about what interests me, even with those who are not interested at all.
6I am curious and I love riddles.
7I let myself be attracted to any form of knowledge that can enrich me intellectually.
8I never part from my belongings.

Ideal

d6Ideals
1Knowledge (neutral): The road to success passes through knowledge.
2Memory (lawful): We must hold on to the past in order to have a firmer grip on the present and the future.
3Inspiration (chaotic): Everyone must follow their instincts and let themselves be inspired by their surroundings.
4Teaching (good): Teaching important lessons to future generations is the only way to survive.
5Pushing the limits (neutral): You have to push for knowledge beyond your limits to progress and improve.
6Pride (evil): making others feel inferior and thus feeling superior is the real purpose of acquiring more knowledge.

Bond

d6Bonds
1I have an ancient book, sought-after for the heretic legends that it holds.
2I have an ancient scroll of parchment on which a compelling but incomplete poem is told.
3I discovered a prophecy between the lines of a poem, and several factions hunt me for my discovery.
4I tell fairy tales and legends to anyone who wants to listen, because I can no longer tell them to the love of my life.
5All my life I have been looking for answers to a question that no one can answer.
6I was tricked during a riddle game and revealed secrets and knowledge that could be dangerous in the wrong hands.

Flaw

d6Flaws
1I treat my peers as inferior, constantly implying that they are in some way lacking.
2I smoke like a chimney, even when it may not seem appropriate.
3I suffer from narcolepsy, and it goes wild when I focus too much.
4I am afraid of spiders.
5I have a very annoying pronunciation defect.
6I am very jealous of my books, woe to those who dare to touch them!


Created by

SilkFeet.

Statblock Type

Background

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