Historian
"The Past is a Foreign Country..."
T'sara's history is complex and difficult. With the variety of civilizations, cultures, and with the conflicts of the past two centuries, piecing it alltogether is impossible without dedicated effort and resources. The task of a historian is not just to know information of the past, but to research, interepret, and discern the relevance of what is known, supposed, and lost forever.
How this works in practice takes many different shapes, and can in fact go by many different names. Some, such as tribal elders, perform the role without any recognition of title.
How this works in practice takes many different shapes, and can in fact go by many different names. Some, such as tribal elders, perform the role without any recognition of title.
Career
Qualifications
Academic types will often squabble and preen that one is required to obtain their level of expertise and knowledge to be considered a historian. While their level of expertise is certainly needed in the world, as they often possess knowledge gained only through decades of research and study, they do not possess a monopoly on the title, or the tradecraft.
At it's most basic level, all one need to be considered a historian, even of an amateur variety, is the desire to do so, some fundamental understandings of research, and obtaining some specialized knowledge about the past. While this is often thought of as the person who knows the intimate details of a nations history, it could just as easily be a war veteran who, having spoken with all of his old comrades, could explicitly recall exact movements and actions of specific battle.
At it's most basic level, all one need to be considered a historian, even of an amateur variety, is the desire to do so, some fundamental understandings of research, and obtaining some specialized knowledge about the past. While this is often thought of as the person who knows the intimate details of a nations history, it could just as easily be a war veteran who, having spoken with all of his old comrades, could explicitly recall exact movements and actions of specific battle.
Career Progression
For those who seek the formal title and position of a historian, rather than those merely performing the role as an amateur, the work usually begins at some form of university or school of higher learning. This will involve not just learning of the fundamental histories of T'sara, or the region one resides in, but learning about concepts such as historiography; the history of history, in other words. Individuals are expected to conduct research, either through personal documents, or, given the low literacy rate through much of the world, conducting personal research by speaking with the populace, or other experts.
Once completed the formal education, there is a wide variety of places one may go. Commonly, a student will return back to the school from which they trained in order to teach their field of expertise to others. It also common to work as a researcher or archivist for the magistrate, governor, or other government official, as they commonly possess the most documents, and often have the most vested interest in how the past is understood and portrayed; for good or for ill.
Once completed the formal education, there is a wide variety of places one may go. Commonly, a student will return back to the school from which they trained in order to teach their field of expertise to others. It also common to work as a researcher or archivist for the magistrate, governor, or other government official, as they commonly possess the most documents, and often have the most vested interest in how the past is understood and portrayed; for good or for ill.
Perception
Social Status
Because the academics tend to lay complete claim over the title, they are the ones most commonly thought of when the word is brought up. As such, it tends to reveal how a society views the educated and their role. These individuals can be highly respected in areas where education is highly valued, such as in D'arcan, or in societies and cultures that are very old and storied, like Stoneheart or Bronzebark.
People in this position can have a strained relationship with the public in places like The Intransican Empire or the Sacred Reich of Vishy, where facts are obfuscated, distorted, or ignored in order to push a specific message. In environments such as this, historians and other academics are found in a predicament; if they choose to mainting their integrity and refuse to say what they know or believe to be untrue, the voices of power will simply find someone else who will.
Still more, historians and those like them can often be easily dismissed as vain and useless by a society, especially by those who are struggling. The long history of The Maiden Queen may be fascinating to the royalties of the world and the pampered wealth in proximity to power, but to those in the fields of Linthalia farming every day, such information is trivial at best, and dedication to such knowledge is a meaningless exercise that detracts away from "real work".
The wealthy themselves can sometimes turn their noses down at historians as well, viewing them as quiet and eccentric bookworms who's dedication to their work will never amount to greater wealth, prosperity, or acclaim.
People in this position can have a strained relationship with the public in places like The Intransican Empire or the Sacred Reich of Vishy, where facts are obfuscated, distorted, or ignored in order to push a specific message. In environments such as this, historians and other academics are found in a predicament; if they choose to mainting their integrity and refuse to say what they know or believe to be untrue, the voices of power will simply find someone else who will.
Still more, historians and those like them can often be easily dismissed as vain and useless by a society, especially by those who are struggling. The long history of The Maiden Queen may be fascinating to the royalties of the world and the pampered wealth in proximity to power, but to those in the fields of Linthalia farming every day, such information is trivial at best, and dedication to such knowledge is a meaningless exercise that detracts away from "real work".
The wealthy themselves can sometimes turn their noses down at historians as well, viewing them as quiet and eccentric bookworms who's dedication to their work will never amount to greater wealth, prosperity, or acclaim.
Demographics
With their long life lines, many people's first thought of a historian is of an elf, who by their very nature of existence can recall more from their own personal memory than anyone else. In truth, any of the mortal races are capable of the role, when given the opportunity.
When understanding cultural flavors, tribal cultures like what is seen in the Orcish and Goblin Tribes of Krag'ash have a deeper tie to that of historical work than most other societies. Through the oral tradition, chiefs, mystics, and others trusted to lead their people can recite a greater and deeper history of their tribe and larger culture than most people in literate societies can hope to achieve.
When understanding cultural flavors, tribal cultures like what is seen in the Orcish and Goblin Tribes of Krag'ash have a deeper tie to that of historical work than most other societies. Through the oral tradition, chiefs, mystics, and others trusted to lead their people can recite a greater and deeper history of their tribe and larger culture than most people in literate societies can hope to achieve.
History
While the nature of the study and profession of history varies greatly in different parts of the world, and while the role of the historian is thought as miniscule, they are generally responsible for the collective understanding of the measurement of time.
The Lost Age, the time where the Gods created the world of T'sara, and when the mortal races are thought to have lived in the utopian peace before the Fey Crisis, comes from how there is seemingly no trace of anything that occurred in that time, only myths and legends, and a few ruined buildings. The first utterance of the term came from an early historian in Stoneheart by the name of Unosha, who wrote a detailed book by that name, detailing the exact means by which he attempted to research the earliest days of the world, and came to the conclusion that while there must always be an effort to learn more about the past, the unavoidable truth is that this ancient time, this "pre history", will be shrouded in mystery forever.
As Unosha's work of the Lost Age became more wildly circulated, the understanding of the remainder ages came into play as well. It was through historical agreement that if the Lost Age would be of the world before The Fey, than the First Age must naturally be the time immediately after. Notwithstanding Ihstar's measurement of time and calendars, the exact starting point of when that is has had some variance in local custom. Those authoring histories of the world often have to contend with this differing and vague notions of the "beggining" of history. The marcation of the Second Age is also commonly debated. There's a rough consensus, within about two centuries, but differing schools of thought have become passionate and hotly contested, as far as intellectual squabbles go. With minimal communication between each other, it's unlikely that this will resolve any time soon, nor is it of any immediate concern to most anyone outside of the community. The current age, the Third Age, is easily agreed upon, as having begun with the dawn of the Triumverate War. Never before had such a conflict had enveloped such a wide amount of nations, practically all of the world, and never had a given conflict had such a wide variety of effects on the world.
The Lost Age, the time where the Gods created the world of T'sara, and when the mortal races are thought to have lived in the utopian peace before the Fey Crisis, comes from how there is seemingly no trace of anything that occurred in that time, only myths and legends, and a few ruined buildings. The first utterance of the term came from an early historian in Stoneheart by the name of Unosha, who wrote a detailed book by that name, detailing the exact means by which he attempted to research the earliest days of the world, and came to the conclusion that while there must always be an effort to learn more about the past, the unavoidable truth is that this ancient time, this "pre history", will be shrouded in mystery forever.
As Unosha's work of the Lost Age became more wildly circulated, the understanding of the remainder ages came into play as well. It was through historical agreement that if the Lost Age would be of the world before The Fey, than the First Age must naturally be the time immediately after. Notwithstanding Ihstar's measurement of time and calendars, the exact starting point of when that is has had some variance in local custom. Those authoring histories of the world often have to contend with this differing and vague notions of the "beggining" of history. The marcation of the Second Age is also commonly debated. There's a rough consensus, within about two centuries, but differing schools of thought have become passionate and hotly contested, as far as intellectual squabbles go. With minimal communication between each other, it's unlikely that this will resolve any time soon, nor is it of any immediate concern to most anyone outside of the community. The current age, the Third Age, is easily agreed upon, as having begun with the dawn of the Triumverate War. Never before had such a conflict had enveloped such a wide amount of nations, practically all of the world, and never had a given conflict had such a wide variety of effects on the world.
Operations
Tools
The most common tool of the historian is the mind; both in what they can immediately remember and recall of the information they've learned, and how they are able to interpret it and deliver that information to others as to what is relevant. This also involves a keen mind to discern what is true or untrue, and what to believe when two pieces of information regarding the same topic conflict.
Beyond the mind, the most common tools for a historian is the simple paper and quill, to document research and the conclusions they find from it. This also covers the documents themselves, reading through what's available to understand the truth.
Beyond the mind, the most common tools for a historian is the simple paper and quill, to document research and the conclusions they find from it. This also covers the documents themselves, reading through what's available to understand the truth.
Workplace
The historians workplace is usually found in a library or archive, where books, maps, and other information is readily available to be researched and referenced. This can also vary to locations like schools or palaces, where the information known can be disseminated verbally to the needed audience.
An often underestimated source for the amateur historian is the church. Priests and clerics of most religions are record keepers of events such as births, deaths, marriages, and the like. As such, for those wanting to understand more about the past of a particular settlement, such documents are a good place to start. The clergy themselves are often amateur historians in their own right, even if few recognize it, having more intimate knowledge of the town's past and it's people than most anyone else.
An often underestimated source for the amateur historian is the church. Priests and clerics of most religions are record keepers of events such as births, deaths, marriages, and the like. As such, for those wanting to understand more about the past of a particular settlement, such documents are a good place to start. The clergy themselves are often amateur historians in their own right, even if few recognize it, having more intimate knowledge of the town's past and it's people than most anyone else.
Dangers & Hazards
A historian's work is not always able to be done in the safe confines of civilization. The answer to much of the greatest secrets of the past are in hidden away in ruins or otherwise blocked by great monsters and danger. The truly committed to such knowledge must be willing to risk their lives to do so, or happen to find willing and able adventurers in the world, like those in the Pathfinder Society, who possess the skills and bravery to do the work on the behalf of the historical community.
Historian Character Background Bonus:
Choose Two Attribute Boosts: One must be to Intelligence or to Charisma, and one is a free attribute boost. You're Trained in the Society or Religion Skill and a Lore Skill for the settlement or region you've worked in or researched. You also gain the Assurance Skill Feet for that chosen skill.
Alternative Names
Archivists, Teachers, Elders, Librarians, Curators,
Type
Research / Scientific
Demand
Low to medium
Famous in the Field
Comments