Graverobber

Graverobbers come in a multitude of variations. The most petty stalk the slums and battlefields of the world for fresh corpses, rifling the pockets for some change and trinkets before dragging the poor sucker to the next necromancer or alchemist . One step above are those who break into graveyards to dig up the buried and breach mausoleums for fun and profit. Then there’s those self styled scholars, who “explore” old necropolises, under the pretense of research. And who could forget the autodidact wannabe necromancer  who digs out corpses to practice his arts and the blasphemer who does the whole thing just to spite others.
Graverobbers are often lower-income individuals. They sell their goods on the black market. Though some artifacts may make their way to museums or scholars, many end up in private collections.

Hide, Goblin Graverobber by Rob Taylor

Type

Illicit

Graverobber (Criminal Background)

Skill Proficiencies Religion, Stealth

Tool Proficiencies Choose one of thieves tools, vehicle (land) or alchemists tools.

Languages Any one language

Equipment

• Dark set of common clothes
• Shovel
• Crowbar
• Curious collection of inscriptions and reliefs in charcoal rubbings
• Box filled with worthless baubles that couldn’t be sold

Features

Dead Trail
No graverobber stays alive long without a good portion of caution. You can identify and correctly interpret evidence of common undead, religious wards and traps and identify them automatically. You only exhibit this presence of mind at any kind of burial site.

Traits

d8	Graverobber Personality Trait
1	I think blasphemy is hilarious, and I share my humor.
2	My nocturnal work has left me looking like those I rob.
3	I collect holy symbols and give lip service to all gods equally. I think this puts me on the safe side.
4	I am obsessed with historical trivia and recount it whenever, though most tell me it is all utter bogus.
5	I stay unperturbed at breaking graves and disturbing bodies, but I am superstitious in everyday activities.
6	I use measures such as excessive smoking or perfume to hide the stench of death on me.
7	I am so used to fences that I haggle over everything.
8	I am prone to morbid speculation my friends futures.

Ideal

d6	Graverobber Ideal
1	Wealth. Gems, gold and shiny trinkets, I love the sound of coins, now everybody sing along.
2	Equality. In death we are all the same. So, no reason for anyone to act superior in life either.
3	Glory. They reject my scholarly works now, but I will make discoveries that will change the world.
4	Spite. Call me a loser? A freak? Think I am no good? I will show you no good, I will show you all, bwahahaha!
5	Pragmatism. Why do what I do? I am good at it. Get food and a roof over you. But always act professional.
6	Immortality. I have seen dead aplenty and it is not forme. One of these graves holds the secret of eternallife.

Bond

d6	Graverobber Bond
1	Hey, I have a lot of respect for the dead. In fact I once robbed my idol’s grave out of reverence. Still got the skull, tell him all my sorrows and dreams.
2	I was once caught by an old gravedigger, but instead of squealing on me, he got me some hot chocolate and useful tips. I have been taking care of the old creep ever since.
3	More than once I tracked down some nice heirloom only for my rival to take my prize. The reverse has happened just as often and the next time we always laugh it up over a beer.
4	I became a grave robber because I wanted to solve a great mystery of historical significance. I’ve lost the trail but I have sworn to fulfill my quest.
5	I came into the possession of a map to a legendary treasure, but I don’t know what country it displays.
6	My mentor disappeared. I have to find him, maybe out of honest concern or because they owe me something.

Flaw

d6	Graverobber Flaw
1	My job landed me a prize on my head back home and the bounty hunters could come knocking any day.
2	The first graves I broke open where those of my own ancestors and I discovered a horrible family secret doing so. The shame lies heavy on me.
3	My soul is forsaken unless I bring a relic I sold back to the priests.
4	I once fought and killed a partner in crime in a dispute over the loot and I am pretty sure the greedy bugger’s body is still shuffling around somewhere.
5	I am incapable of leaving behind any loot, even at the price of my life.
6	I am far too good at my job and now some organization that is too unsavory even for me wants to recruit me with progressively greater pressure.