Character Concept: Archaeologist

[Glorelendil]

In a world littered with ancient ruins you'd think somebody would take an interest in exploring them simply out of intellectual curiosity, and/or maybe a desire to make a name for oneself as the foremost expert in Middle-Earth.

I've been playing around with making an archaeologist character. I've made two versions, one a Dwarf and the other a Hobbit.

Here's what I've been thinking so far:
Either Scholar or Treasure-hunter would be appropriate Callings, with either giving a bit different flavor. I don't think "Treasure-hunter" necessarily means "looting riches for personal gain". The "treasure" in question could simply be the satisfaction of finding things first. The one thing about Treasure-hunter is that (I think...) it's the only way to get Burglary.

Traits: Tunneling seems an obvious trait, but isn't strictly necessary. Any number of personality traits (Bold, Adventurous, Curious, Secretive) could be fun, again none are critical.

Skills: Explore and Search are the two biggies. Riddle and Lore are close seconds. Stealth and Athletics for the Indiana Jones/Lara Croft archetype. Depending on how your LM interprets Insight, that could also be useful for divining secrets of long-dead architects.

Virtues: Broken Spells is the only one I can think of that seems thematic/useful.

Then besides all the mechanic considerations, there's simply the question of which culture is most thematically appropriate.
Hobbits: curious folk, but it would be most peculiar indeed for a Hobbit to take so great an interest in things that have so little to do with Hobbits.
Dwarves: this makes some sense to me, as Dwarves can be a bit obsessive/compulsive and just downright odd. Also they are more attuned to physical than the purely intellectual. Usually manifested as precious items, but physical ruins aren't so far off.
High Elves: they have the knowledge and memories, but they seem more interested in lore & songs than in actual things.
Dunedain: they value history and tradition and places, but they have more immediate concerns saving themselves from extinction than in exploring old ruins.

Thoughts?

[Glorelendil]

P.S. Another advantage of a Dwarf is that Mattock is the only thematically appropriate weapon choice...

[Rue]

I think Insight would be crucial for an archaeologist--sure you might find the stuff, but how do you interpret it? A good wits score would probably help too.

[Glorelendil]

Presenting...

Name: Onar Mustybeard

Culture: Dwarf of the Lonely Mountain Standard of Living: Rich
Cultural blessing: Redoubtable
Calling: Treasure-Hunter Shadow weakness: Dragon-sickness
Specialties: Stone-craft, Tunnelling, Burglary
Distinctive features: Energetic, Wilful
Body: 6 Heart: 2 Wits: 6
Body (favoured): 8 Heart (favoured): 5 Wits (favoured): 7

-Common Skills-

• Awe: 0 Inspire: 2 Persuade: 0
• Athletics: 0 Travel: 3 Stealth: 0
• Awareness: 0 Insight: 1 Search: 3
• Explore: 2 Healing: 0 Hunting: 0
• Song: 1 Courtesy: 0 Riddle: 3
• Craft: 3 Battle: 1 Lore: 3

-Weapon Skills-

• Mattock: 2
• Dagger: 1
• Short sword: 1

-Rewards-:
-Virtues-: Broken Spells
-Gear-

• Mattock damage: 8 edge: 10 injury: 18 enc: 3
• Short sword damage: 5 edge: 10 injury: 14 enc: 1 (not carried)
• Dagger damage: 3 edge: G injury: 12 enc: 0
• Mail shirt enc: 12
• Cap of iron and leather enc: 2

Endurance: 30 Starting Endurance: 30 Fatigue from Encumbrance: 12 Fatigue from Travel: 0 Total Fatigue: 12
Hope: 8 Starting Hope: 8 Temporary Shadow: 0 Permanent Shadow: 0 Total Shadow: 0
Armour: 3 Headgear: 1
Parry: 6 Shield: 0
Damage: 0 Ranged: 0
Wisdom: 2 Valour: 1
Experience: 0 Total Experience: 0
Fellowship: 0 Advancement: 0 Treasure: 0 Standing: 0

[Kurt]

Hi Glorelendil,

I wouldn't really limit any of the cultures. I like all of them in their own way and they all have rich and detailed histories (hobbit's the least, but hobbits are awesome). I think that the key requirement for an Archaeologist would be Lore. Whether it be Elven, Shadow or something you make up, Human and Dwarven. The history of men is as fascinating as the history of the Elves.

Would you make an Archaeologist trait that has mechanics in the game?

Callings: Scholar or Treasure Hunter
Traits: Elven-Lore, Shadow-Lore and Burglary (or use another culture lore)
Skills: Awareness, Insight, Explore, Riddle

Cheers,
Kurt

[Blubbo Baggins]

For your Dwarf mock-PC, I might suggest favouring Lore instead of Craft. Sure, they have to be careful when digging up old artifacts they want to preserve, but they need to know what they are looking for and at first!

Second, you can get Burglary by switching out a Specialty during a Fellowship Phase.

Third, for Hobbits, I think the strongest argument are Mathoms. They seem like the most likely culture to want to find and preserve things. Dwarves of course too, but Dwarves might have a greater tendency to seek Treasure for gain, while Hobbits are unlikely to have any greed mixed up with their Treasure hunting.

Speaking in generalities, of course.

It is a great concept for a PC though.

[Glorelendil]

For your Dwarf mock-PC, I might suggest favouring Lore instead of Craft. Sure, they have to be careful when digging up old artifacts they want to preserve, but they need to know what they are looking for and at first!

That's not a choice...all Dwarves get Craft.

Second, you can get Burglary by switching out a Specialty during a Fellowship Phase.

Good point.

Third, for Hobbits, I think the strongest argument are Mathoms. They seem like the most likely culture to want to find and preserve things. Dwarves of course too, but Dwarves might have a greater tendency to seek Treasure for gain, while Hobbits are unlikely to have any greed mixed up with their Treasure hunting.

Ooh...a mathom-collector is a good concept. The less valuable monetarily, the better. "Oh, that? That's a particularly well-preserved example of an early-Rhovanian period stirrup."

[Feanor]

High Elves: they have the knowledge and memories, but they seem more interested in lore & songs than in actual things.

Interesting you dont see they have a high interest in making things, i.e. craft. Its probably the only skill second to lore. But good sir, i beg to differ.

The Palantirs were made by them, the Silmarils, the rings of power say the one, and many other things not particularly mentioned to a high extent.

Correct me if im wrong.

A generous GM could argue that the combination of "Smith of Eregion" and "Skill of the Eldar" could combine into the making of extremely magical artefacts ( if for instance you role a Gandalf rune, or make a Great or Extraordniary success on the roll, like the rules introduced in Rivendell. Not limiting to characters making these things, as in general i percieve the old magical enchanted items is a lost knowledge.

A high elf interested in these things could/would certianly be a possible archeologist. If for the mere fact of preserving and researching old lore and items in his own pursue of becoming one of the greatest craftsmen himself.

Not to mention you could make a whole side story linked to a certain individual in a fellowship, with several extra adventures. Rivendell, Eregion, Erebor, Orthanc, Moria and Gondor, could all be interesting Journeys and places to visit and learn as well as finding treasures in the wild, out adventuring.

A High elven character would certainly love to awake their powers of making wondrous items, again. History tells them they were the greatest in that, and here in lies the problem, they were so skillful even Morgoth and Sauron envied them their creations. Isnt that a great thing for a campaign idea ?

[Glorelendil]

High Elves: they have the knowledge and memories, but they seem more interested in lore & songs than in actual things.

Interesting you dont see they have a high interest in making things, i.e. craft. Its probably the only skill second to lore. But good sir, i beg to differ.

The Palantirs were made by them, the Silmarils, the rings of power say the one, and many other things not particularly mentioned to a high extent.

Correct me if im wrong.

A generous GM could argue that the combination of "Smith of Eregion" and "Skill of the Eldar" could combine into the making of extremely magical artefacts ( if for instance you role a Gandalf rune, or make a Great or Extraordniary success on the roll, like the rules introduced in Rivendell. Not limiting to characters making these things, as in general i percieve the old magical enchanted items is a lost knowledge.

A high elf interested in these things could/would certianly be a possible archeologist. If for the mere fact of preserving and researching old lore and items in his own pursue of becoming one of the greatest craftsmen himself.

All entirely fair points.

But...there is a difference between precious "magical" objects and just "stuff". Elves don't strike me as the sort to value a mundane object just because it's old and historically significant, or to enjoy poking around ancient ruins just because it's interesting. They don't seem as attached to the physical for its own sake. Not in the way Men or Hobbits would. Maybe because "old" is relative.

In the American West houses and other things from the early half of the 20th century are considered "historical" and put in museums and protected by historical landmark laws. Europeans, and even Americans from the east, often find this amusing. Stuff that isn't even 100 years old just doesn't seem that old.

It strikes me that Elves might have a similar view of Middle Earth's ruins and artifacts. Rusted, decayed, fallen-down...and not even really that old, from their point of view.

[Terisonen]

That's an interesting discussion.

Archeology is a relatively new science by far. It begin by the XIX century in Europe. So in the Middle Earth by 2950, sure archeology is more that pillaging the ruin for money, treasure or materials of construction. By the way, Scholar calling fit well for this occupation