Archaeologist (5e 2014)

Source: Tomb of Annihilation (5e 2014).

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 the world to root through crumbled cities and lost dungeons, digging in search of artifacts that might tell the stories of monarchs and high priests, wars and cataclysms.

Benefits

Feature	Details
Skill Proficiencies	History Survival
Tool Proficiencies	Cartographer's tools or navigator's tools
Languages	One of your choice
Equipment	A wooden case Value:1gp Weight:1lb containing a map to a ruin or dungeon a bullseye lantern Value:10gp Weight:2lbs a miner's pick Value:2gp Weight:10lbs a set of traveler's clothes Value:2gp Weight:4lbs a shovel Value:2gp Weight:5lbs a two-person tent Value:2gp Weight:20lbs a trinket recovered from a dig site and a pouch Value:5sp Weight:1lb containing 25gp Features 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 ruins. Though you managed to sell a few of your discoveries earn enough coin to buy proper adventuring gear you have held onto an 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. d8 Signature Item 1 10-foot pole 2 Medallion 3 Crowbar 4 Shovel 5 Hat 6 Sledgehammer 7 Hooded lantern 8 Whip Historical Knowledge When you enter a ruin or dungeon you can correctly ascertain its original purpose determine its builders whether those were dwarves elves humans 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 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. Personality Traits d8 Personality Trait 1 I love a good puzzle or mystery. 2 I'm a pack rat who never throws anything away. 3 Fame is more important to me than money. 4 I have no qualms about stealing from the dead. 5 I'm happier in a dusty old tomb than I am in the centers of civilization. 6 Traps don't make me nervous. Idiots who trigger traps make me nervous. 7 I might fail but I will never give up. 8 You might think I'm a scholar but I love a good brawl. These fists were made for punching. Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Preservation. That artifact belongs in a museum. (Good) 2 Greed. I won't risk my life for nothing. I expect some kind of payment. (Any) 3 Death Wish. Nothing is more exhilarating than a narrow escape from the jaws of death. (Chaotic) 4 Dignity. The dead their belongings deserve to be treated with respect. (Lawful) 5 Immortality. All my exploring is part of a plan to find the secret of everlasting life. (Any) 6 Danger. With every great discovery comes grave danger. The two walk hand in hand. (Any) Bonds d6 Bond 1 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. 2 I want to find my mentor who disappeared on an expedition some time ago. 3 I have a friendly rival. Only one of us can be the best and I aim to prove it's me. 4 I won't sell an art object or other treasure that has historical significance or is one of a kind. 5 I'm secretly in love with the wealthy patron who sponsors my archaeological exploits. 6 I hope to bring prestige to a library a museum or a university. Flaws d6 Flaw 1 I have a secret fear of some common wild animal – and in my work I see them everywhere. 2 I can't leave a room without searching it for secret doors. 3 When I'm not exploring dungeons or ruins I get jittery impatient. 4 I have no time for friends or family. I spend every waking moment thinking about preparing for my next expedition. 5 When given the choice of going left or right I always go left. 6 I can't sleep except in total darkness.