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Archivist
About this class
The Archivist is a seeker of forbidden and lost truths. Unlike wizards who pursue mastery and control, Archivists investigate ancient origins, military tactics, and new discoveries. This culminates in a display of countering magic with forgotten rules, maneuvering resources for favorable outcomes, and wielding knowledge as complete and inescapable understanding rather than domination. Feared not for overwhelming might but for what they uncover, archivists serve as investigators of the unbearable and witnesses to the historical, believing that truth carries moral weight and that understanding, however dangerous, is a responsibility rather than a weapon.
Included subclasses
Domains
Codex
Midnight
Starting stats
Hope feature
Class features
-
Reliable Instincts
Whenever a creature you hear answers a question, you may make a Reaction roll against their difficulty. On a success, you can tell if the person is lying or not, but not to what degree.
-
Staggering Revelation
Whenever you or an ally you have helped succeeds on a roll against an adversary, they make a Reaction roll (13). On a failure, you may mark a Stress and empower your words with magical force to Stun them. Stunned enemies make their next Attack at disadvantage, then the condition ends.
Class items
- A partially translated codex
- An artifact that opens a vault
Character questions
Background prompts
- How does craving knowledge affect those around you?
- Is there anything you wouldn't sacrifice for the truth?
- What is an understanding you seek that's just out of reach?
Connection prompts
- How have you aided my search for knowledge?
- What secret of mine do you alone hold?
- What about you piqued my curiosity?
Subclass cards
Printable via header menu
Strategist
Foundation
SPELLCAST TRAIT: Knowledge
Voice of Command: Whenever you or an ally gain advantage because of one of your abilities, you may spend a Hope to turn the advantage die to a d10.
Fully Prepared: During a Rest, you may apply one of your activities to one of your allies that gives the max number on a die, the best possible outcome, or you each gain an additional Hope if you both Prepare. Additionally, during a Long Rest, you may give someone working on a Downtime Project advantage on their roll.
Strategist
Specialization
Terror Tactics: When you, or an ally you've helped, forces a target to mark their last Hit Point, you may mark a Stress to force all hostile targets in Close range to make a reaction roll (15). On a failure, the affected creatures next action requires double the amount of Fear.
Planned Assault: You get advantage on your first roll in combat.
Strategist
Mastery
Grand Strategist: Spend 2 Hope to Help all allies within Far Range. When you affect a target with one of your abilities, spend a Hope to force a reaction roll (16). On a failure, they roll with disadvantage a number of times equal to your Knowledge modifier.
Inquisitor
Foundation
SPELLCAST TRAIT: Knowledge
Exposed Weakness: When you make a successful attack, Mark a Stress to make the target temporarily vulnerable.
Corrective Knowledge: Once per rest, when an ally tests using Instinct, Presence, or Knowledge they may choose to reroll and they must take the new roll.
Inquisitor
Specialization
Dismantled Defenses: When you use your “Exposed Weakness” ability, Mark an additional Stress to subtract your Knowledge Trait from the target's difficulty.
Crave the Truth: Gain a +2 bonus when you roll to acquire new information.
Inquisitor
Mastery
Arcane Understanding: You automatically have advantage on reaction rolls imposed by adversaries.
Combat Analysis: Mark a Stress and learn an ability, difficulty, or thresholds of an adversary you can see.
Archivist
The Archivist is a seeker of forbidden and lost truths. Unlike wizards who pursue mastery and control, Archivists investigate ancient origins, military tactics, and new discoveries. This culminates in a display of countering magic with forgotten rules, maneuvering resources for favorable outcomes, and wielding knowledge as complete and inescapable understanding rather than domination. Feared not for overwhelming might but for what they uncover, archivists serve as investigators of the unbearable and witnesses to the historical, believing that truth carries moral weight and that understanding, however dangerous, is a responsibility rather than a weapon.
Domains
Codex + Midnight
Starting Evasion
11
Starting Hit Points
5
Class Items
- • A partially translated codex
- • An artifact that opens a vault
Archivist’s Hope Feature
Domineering Intellect : Spend 3 Hope to add your Spellcast modifier to rolls of all other Traits until your next rest.
Class Features
Reliable Instincts
Whenever a creature you hear answers a question, you may make a Reaction roll against their difficulty. On a success, you can tell if the person is lying or not, but not to what degree.
Staggering Revelation
Whenever you or an ally you have helped succeeds on a roll against an adversary, they make a Reaction roll (13). On a failure, you may mark a Stress and empower your words with magical force to Stun them. Stunned enemies make their next Attack at disadvantage, then the condition ends.
Archivist Subclasses
Choose either the Strategist or Inquisitor subclass.
Strategist
Their combat prowess comes from their ability to move units around the battle field.
Spellcast Trait
Knowledge
Foundation Features
Voice of Command: Whenever you or an ally gain advantage because of one of your abilities, you may spend a Hope to turn the advantage die to a d10.
Fully Prepared: During a Rest, you may apply one of your activities to one of your allies that gives the max number on a die, the best possible outcome, or you each gain an additional Hope if you both Prepare. Additionally, during a Long Rest, you may give someone working on a Downtime Project advantage on their roll.
Specialization Feature
Terror Tactics: When you, or an ally you've helped, forces a target to mark their last Hit Point, you may mark a Stress to force all hostile targets in Close range to make a reaction roll (15). On a failure, the affected creatures next action requires double the amount of Fear.
Planned Assault: You get advantage on your first roll in combat.
Mastery Feature
Grand Strategist: Spend 2 Hope to Help all allies within Far Range. When you affect a target with one of your abilities, spend a Hope to force a reaction roll (16). On a failure, they roll with disadvantage a number of times equal to your Knowledge modifier.
Inquisitor
The knowledge of their enemies weaknesses and ancient magic make an Inquisitor a terrifying combatant.
Spellcast Trait
Knowledge
Foundation Features
Exposed Weakness: When you make a successful attack, Mark a Stress to make the target temporarily vulnerable.
Corrective Knowledge: Once per rest, when an ally tests using Instinct, Presence, or Knowledge they may choose to reroll and they must take the new roll.
Specialization Feature
Dismantled Defenses: When you use your “Exposed Weakness” ability, Mark an additional Stress to subtract your Knowledge Trait from the target's difficulty.
Crave the Truth: Gain a +2 bonus when you roll to acquire new information.
Mastery Feature
Arcane Understanding: You automatically have advantage on reaction rolls imposed by adversaries.
Combat Analysis: Mark a Stress and learn an ability, difficulty, or thresholds of an adversary you can see.
Background Questions
Answer any of the following, or create your own.
- • How does craving knowledge affect those around you?
- • Is there anything you wouldn't sacrifice for the truth?
- • What is an understanding you seek that's just out of reach?
Connections
Ask one of the following, or improvise.
- • How have you aided my search for knowledge?
- • What secret of mine do you alone hold?
- • What about you piqued my curiosity?
Discussion
Be thoughtful and kind.
Remember to be respectful. Comments are moderated and should add to the discussion.
