Magic Item Scholar
You grew up in a city big enough to have some places
where magic items are bought and sold or to have libraries
with books about those subjects. You heard tales of many fabled magic items, or read about
them and took an interest in them. Maybe you worked in
one of those places or libraries, or simply passed a lot of
time there, but eventually you became an expert on magical
items.
Are you part of a guild, or of an organization? Are you
affiliated with some rich merchants or consortiums? Are
you a treasure hunter, ready to face dangers to retrieve
some ancient magic items? What do you do when you find
an important magic item? Do you sell it? Do you give to
authorities? Do you take it in personal custody? Are you
driven by desire for magic power or gold, or by knowledge’s
sake?
Skill Proficiencies Arcana
Tool Proficiencies Calligrapher’s Supplies or Jeweler’s Tools
Languages One of your choice
Equipment Two robes, some books about
arcane subjects, and a pouch with 25 gp.
Features
Historic Knowledge
When you find a magic item, you can correctly identify that
item’s story. You can approximately ascertain when and
where the item was crafted. Additionally, you know tales
related to the item such as curses or lore, either true or
false. At the DM’s discretion, you know who crafted it, and
who were its most famous owners.
Magic Item Knowledge
The feature granted by the Magic Items Scholar
background should never allow the character to
know the exact properties of a magic items in
game terms. A Magic Items Scholar would
instead know tales about the item, like how they
saved a major character of the past from certain
death or how it was used to save the kingdom
many years ago.
Suggested Characteristics
Magic items scholars are mainly focused on the tales and
history of magic items and how to acquire them.
Traits
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|
| 1 | When talking, I often give references about ancient books and scholars. |
| 2 | I’m fond of magic items and I collect them. |
| 3 | I try to locate ancient places full of magic items. |
| 4 | Even during travel, I usually read books. |
| 5 | I cannot resist the urge to discuss ancient magical items, even with complete strangers. |
| 6 | I like to challenge other's knowledge about magical items and their history. |
Ideal
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|
| 1 | Caretaker. I must prevent magic items falling into the hands of evil. (Good) |
| 2 | Selfishness. I must keep all magic items for myself. I am the only one that deserves to have magic items. (Evil) |
| 3 | Knowledge. Magic items should be kept in academies to be studied. (Lawful) |
| 4 | Crafter. I want to create as many magic items as possible. |
| 5 | Learner. Studying the mighty items of the past should show us how to not commit the same mistakes again. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Pride. I will be considered a major character in the history of magic. |
Bond
| d6 | Bond |
|---|
| 1 | My studies are everything to me. |
| 2 | I must collect a very powerful magic item from the past. |
| 3 | I consider myself always in competition with other scholars. |
| 4 | I know a secret hidden in a magic item and that secret could cost my life. |
| 5 | I must retrieve and sell magic items to pay an old debt of my family. |
| 6 | I must become the best magic item scholar in the world. |
Flaw
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|
| 1 | I’m arrogant and consider myself superior to the others. |
| 2 | I’m going to sacrifice others for just one more magic item in my collection. |
| 3 | I don’t share my knowledge of magic with others. |
| 4 | I prefer books over plain conversations. |
| 5 | I only know the world by the books I’ve read. |
| 6 | I love the sound of my voice and always talk over others. |
