Sages are scholars, historians, intellectuals, and teachers. They amass information related to their fields of expertise, seeking to know everything about those subjects. Most sages live their lives surrounded by heaps of books and scrolls, but some venture out to find more knowledge in the world. Sages who brave the unknown find they often have the wit to ascertain the best solution to whatever problem they encounter.
Anyone with an interest in knowledge and learning can profit by becoming a sage. Most sages who leave the comforts of scholarship began their careers as rogues who dabbled in magic or developed talents that depend on intelligence. Some magicians abandon magical research to advance in understanding of different subjects, while cloistered priests find joy and solace in books and scrolls. Warriors seek knowledge and wisdom to balance the body and mind, and to learn interesting and cunning combat techniques.
Level 3 Sage
Attributes. Increase two by 1
Characteristics. Health +3
Languages and Profession. You can speak another language and add an academic profession.
Decipher You can attempt to decipher writing in a language unfamiliar to you or a code for which you lack a cipher. If you concentrate on the script or code for 1 minute, make an Intellect challenge roll. The GM might impose 1 or more banes to your roll, depending on the complexity of the writing or code. On a success, you learn enough to get the gist of what the text says or the code means.
Esoteric Knowledge You pick up legends and bits of lore from your extensive travels. When you encounter a creature, object, or place unfamiliar to you, you can make an Intellect challenge roll. You make the roll with 1 bane for each time you have used this talent since you last completed a rest. On a success, ask the GM a question about the subject that can be answered with a yes or a no. On a failure, you cannot use this talent again until you complete a rest.
Learned You make Intellect challenge rolls with 1 boon. If the challenge roll involves a task related to one of your academic professions, you make the roll with 3 boons.
Level 6 Sage
Characteristics. Health +3
Languages and Professions You can speak another language and add an academic profession.
Ear for Languages If you listen to a creature speak for 1 minute or longer, you can make an Intellect challenge roll. On a success, you pick up enough of the language to communicate simple concepts using it until you use this talent again. On a failure, you cannot use this talent again until you complete a rest.
Outwit When a creature makes an attack roll against you, you can make an Intellect challenge roll. On a success, you predict the target’s attack pattern, imposing 1 bane on the attack roll. On a failure, the target’s way of attacking is unexpected, granting 1 boon on the attack roll.
Level 9 Master Sage
Characteristics. Health +3
Languages and Professions You can speak another language and add an academic profession.
Always Learning When you attempt a task and fail the challenge roll, you can attempt the task again during the next round. When you get a failure on an attack roll, if you make another attack roll against the same target before the end of the next round, you make the roll with 1 boon.
Wise Guidance When a creature makes a challenge roll while within short range of you and able to hear and understand you, you can use a triggered action to grant that creature 2 boons on its roll.