UA:Character Background: Academic Background

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This material is published under the OGL 1.0a.


Academic Background

Many adventurers come from tall towers of magic academies and colleges. They find the adventurer's life much diffeent than the cloistered life they knew when they were learning the secrets of magic. But the lessons in power such characters learned in the classroom serve them well wherever their adventures take them.

Recognition in the academic world takes the form of academic degrees or membership in honorary societies.

A character's ranks in Spellcraft provide a bonus on recognition checks related to degrees, and his ranks in Knowledge (arcana) provide a bonus on recognition checks related to societies.

Example Societies and Degrees

The names of societies and academic degrees given below are provided as a starting point. Depending on the player's interest and the DMs plans for the campaign, the societies could become full-fledged secret cabals, or they could remain honorary societies that rarely meet and don't have agendas beyond their field of study.

Societies: Society of Arcanobiological Studies, The Horned Hand, Fraternity of the Three Mysteries, Scarlet Roby Society, Kau Sathra Vox, Society of Tarsus, Arcana Aid Society, Club of the Mystic Twelve.

Degrees: Master of Eldritch Power (in a particular school of magic), Unsurpassed Scholar in Arcane Arts, Master of Cast Spells.

Academic Magic Background Activities
d% Activity Class Feats Skills Gear Contacts Rep Recognition
01-07 Item Creation Wizard Any Item Creation Spellcraft, Craft (any), Concentration Any magic item Skill +0 Society, DC 30
08-15 Metamagic Sorcerer or Wizard Any metamagic Knowledge (arcana), Concentration, Spellcraft Rod or Staff Influence +0 Degree, DC 24
16-23 Spell research Wizard Spell Mastery Spellcraft, Knowledge (arcana), Concentration Extra spells in spellbook Information +1/2 Degree, DC 26
24-29 Training Wizard Leadership, Persuasive Spellcraft, Knowledge (arcana), Sense Motive Wondrous item for interaction/communication Influence +1 Society, DC 26
30-35 Abjuration Wizard Spell Focus (Abjuration) Spellcraft, Concentration, Knowledge (the planes) Wand/staff with abjuration spells Information +0 Degree, DC 28
36-41 Conjuration Wizard Spell Focus (Conjuration) Spellcraft, Concentration, Knowledge (the planes) Wand/staff with conjuration spells Information +0 Degree, DC 28
42-47 Divination Wizard Spell Focus (Divination) Spellcraft, Concentration, Knowledge (the planes) Wand/staff with divination spells Information +0 Degree, DC 28
48-53 Enchantment Wizard Spell Focus (Enchantment) Spellcraft, Concentration, Diplomacy Wand/staff with enchantment spells Information +0 Degree, DC 28
54-59 Evocation Wizard Spell Focus (Evocation) Spellcraft, Concentration, Knowledge (arcana) Wand/staff with evocation spells Information +0 Degree, DC 28
60-65 Illusion Wizard Spell Focus (Illusionism) Spellcraft, Concentration, Perform (any) Wand/staff with illusion spells Information +0 Degree, DC 28
66-71 Necromancy Wizard Spell Focus (Necromancy) Spellcraft, Concentration, Knowledge (religion) Wand/staff with necromancy spells Information +0 Degree, DC 28
72-77 Transmutation Wizard Spell Focus (Transmutation) Spellcraft, Concentration, Knowledge (arcana) Wand/staff with transmutation spells Information +0 Degree, DC 28
78-85 Creature studies Wizard Spell Penetration, Improved Familiar Knowledge (nature), Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (the planes) Wondrous item that mimics monster ability Influence +1/2 Society, DC 28
86-94 Battle magic Sorcerer or wizard Combat Casting, Any metamagic Concentration, Spellcraft, Knowledge (arcana) Bracers of armor or Cloak of peotection Information +1/2 Society DC 28
95-100 Divine magic Cleric Spell Focus (any) Concentration, Knowledge (religion), Spellcraft Prayer beads or divine scrolls Skill +1/2 Society, DC 24





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