Unlike other children in your age, you were always curious and at a very tender age, you learned that knowledge is way more precious than earthly things such as gold, silver, and other precious stones. Your curiosity and determination to gain knowledge got you to apprentice at one of Faerûn’s great institutes during your early life. With this knowledge, you are now ready to face the world and begin your quest to gain more knowledge.
What is a Cloistered Scholar in DND?
You may be one of the saviors of the world’s most ancient history that is stored inside the great library of Faerûn’s knowledge, Candlekeep. The library is well-known and those who work inside this library are sure to hold some great positions and responsibilities in society.
Or you might have spent your early years with the scholars of the Map House in Silverymoon or the Vault of the Sages, and now you’ve set out to further expand your knowledge and wisdom by exploring other libraries and places of history and also help those who are in dire need of an expert scholar.
Perhaps you are one of the few that support Herald’s Holdfast catalog to keep track of everything that comes from the great library.
Your Skills: Your skills include History and one of either Arcana, Nature or Religion.
Your Tools: None, you don’t rely on tools.
Languages: You can choose to have any 2 languages of your choice.
Equipment: You have a scholar’s robe that symbolizes your cloister, you also carry a writing kit that includes a quill, a small ink bottle, a parchment, and a penknife. You carry a book about your current study and 10 GP in a small pouch.
Suggested Characteristics
Personality Traits
| D8 | Personality Traits |
| 1 | I use polysyllabic words that convey the impression of great erudition. |
| 2 | I have read every book in the world’s greatest libraries – or I like to boast that I have. |
| 3 | I am used to helping out those who aren’t as smart as I am, and I patiently explain anything and everything to others. |
| 4 | There’s nothing I like more than a good mystery. |
| 5 | I am willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment. |
| 6 | I… speak… slowly… when talking… to idiots,… which… almost… everyone… is… compared… to me. |
| 7 | I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations. |
| 8 | I am convinced that people are always trying to steal my secrets. |
Ideals
| D6 | Ideals |
| 1 | Knowledge: The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Beauty: What is beautiful points us beyond itself toward what is true. (Good) |
| 3 | Logic: Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking. (Lawful) |
| 4 | No Limits: Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility inherent in all existence. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Power: Knowledge is the path to power and domination. (Evil) |
| 6 | Self-Improvement: The goal of a life of study is the betterment of oneself. (Any) |
Bonds
| D8 | Bonds |
| 1 | It is my duty to protect my students. |
| 2 | I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands. |
| 3 | I work to preserve a library, university, scriptorium, or monastery. |
| 4 | My life’s work is a series of tomes related to a specific field of lore. |
| 5 | I have been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question. |
| 6 | I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it back. |
Flaws
| D6 | Flaws |
| 1 | I am easily distracted by the promise of information. |
| 2 | Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I stop and take notes on its anatomy. |
| 3 | Unlocking an ancient mystery is worth the price of civilization. |
| 4 | I overlook obvious solutions in favor of complicated ones. |
| 5 | I speak without really thinking through my words, invariably insulting others. |
| 6 | I can not keep a secret to save my life, or anyone else’s. |
Variants
Sage (PHB)
Cloistered Scholar shadows Sage from the Player’s handbook, you can check out the Sage background from PHB to modify the traits as well as motivations for this background if you need to add a custom touch to it, as recommended by your DM.
Features
Library Access
Your background as a Scholar grants you easy access to most of the libraries and other historical places of valuable lore that no one else can go through without having to pay some hefty fee or special orders.
Your knowledge and wisdom regarding the cloister’s bureaucracy allow you to easily get to those connections. Your profession of being a scholar is likely to get you access to libraries, not only in your own but many other realms.
Why use cloistered scholar?
Cloistered Scholar background can be very useful as well as fascinating. It makes you an intellectual who possesses great knowledge about history and life. You know a great deal of stuff about different aspects of life be it culture, religion, ancient artifacts amongst other things.
Your profession lets you easily enter most of the libraries and book repositories that hold valuable knowledge about different subjects of life.
