The Pursuit of Knowledge

A true scholar is never satisfied. They are always seeking out a new answer to a new question. This often goes hand-in-hand with seeking a life of adventure, to explore new, hidden areas, or accompany those that do. The life of a scholar often times begins in the mundane, as a teacher or sage. Sometimes they serve as doctors, diplomats, or as members of the military.

For scholars, mundane life is often too slow. When life becomes stagnant or when an answer cannot be found, the call to adventure rings louder. Scholars will often go to ancient, forgotten, and often dangerous places to find something to quench their thirst for knowledge.

Creating a Scholar

As you create a scholar, it's important to think of where you gained your knowledge. Did you serve as an apprentice under a master? Did you attend college or other formal education? Perhaps you gained it on your own, searching out and pouring over dusty tomes found in forgotten places. Where did your thirst for knowledge come from? Insatiable curiosity? Always wanting to know the right answer? Or do you have something to prove? Think about what field you wish to pursue and think of what is driving you in that direction.

Hit Points

• Hit Dice: 1d8 per scholar level
• Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier
• Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution modifier per scholar level after 1st

Proficiencies

• Armor: Light armor
• Weapons: simple weapons, hand crossbows, shortswords
• Tools: Any two

• Saving Throws: Dexterity, Intelligence
• Skills: Choose three from Arcana, Deception, History, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, Persuasion, Religion, and Survival

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

• (a) any simple weapon or (b) a light crossbow and 20 bolts
• (a) scholar's pack or (b) explorer's pack
• any simple weapon
• a set of leather armor
• any two tools of your choice

Alternatively, you may start with 4d4 x 10 gp to buy your own equipment.

Academic Superiority

Beginning at 1st level, you know how to apply your studies in practical ways known as maneuvers. Your maneuvers are fueled by special dice called superiority dice.

Maneuvers. You know 2 maneuvers of your choice, which are detailed under “Maneuvers” below. You may only use a particular maneuver once per turn. Many of your maneuvers enhance an attack in some way, you can use only one maneuver per attack.

You learn two additional maneuvers of your choice at 3rd, 6th, 11th, and 17th level. Each time you learn new maneuvers, you can also replace one maneuver you know with a different one.

Physician

The Physician pursuit reflects your studies into the medical, anatomical, and biological sciences. Those who follow this pursuit use their knowledge to men their allies on the field and deal crippling blows with surgical accuracy.

Silver Tongue

Beginning at 3rd level you add half your proficiency bonus to any Charisma skill check you are not already proficient in. Additionally, You learn one additional language of your choice.

Learned Diplomat

At 3rd level, you gain access to new maneuvers which reflect the progress of your studies into the political world. Whenever you learn a new maneuver, you can choose from any of the following as well. The maneuvers are listed in alphabetical order.

Call to Arms. If you are surprised at the beginning of combat and aren't incapacitated, you can expend one superiority die to act normally. On your first turn as a bonus action you can make a call to arms. When you do so, creatures you choose within 30 feet who can see or hear you who haven't gone yet may act normally on their first turn.

Overwhelming Presence. As an action, you can make a Charisma (Persuasion) or Charisma (Intimidation) skill check and expend one superiority die to attempt to charm or frightened a humanoid creature who can see or hear you within 60 feet. Add the superiority die to the roll. The target makes a contested Wisdom (Insight) check. If your check succeeds, the target is charmed by you if you used Persuasion, or frightened of you if you used Intimidation, until the end of your next turn.

Charge. As a bonus action on your turn, you can expend one superiority die to spurn your allies to move. Until the start of your next turn, creatures you choose within 30 feet who can see or hear you, have their speed increased by 10 feet and ignore nonmagical difficult terrain.

Goading Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to goad the target into attack you. You add the superiority die to the attacks damage roll, and the target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls against targets other than you until the end of your next turn.

Inspiring Defense. As a reaction when an ally you can see within 30 feet who can see or hear you, makes a saving throw, you can expend a superiority die. Add the number rolled to the targets saving throw. You can use this maneuver before or after making the saving throw, but before any effects of the saving throw are determined.

Rally. On your turn, you can use a bonus action and expend one superiority die to bolster the resolve of one of your companions. When you do so, choose a friendly creature who can see or hear you. That creature gains temporary hit points equal to your superiority die + your Intelligence modifier.

Targeted Feint. You can expend one superiority die and use a bonus action on your turn to feint, choosing one creature within 30 feet of you as your target. You have advantage on your next attack roll against that creature. If that attack hits, add the superiority die to the attacks damage roll.

Tyrannical Strike. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die and issue a one-word command to a creature who can see or hear you. You add the superiority die to the attacks damage roll, and the target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target must follow the command on its next turn. The target automatically succeeds if it is Undead, can't be charmed, it doesn’t understand your language, or if your command is directly harmful to it.

Force of Personality

At 6th level, as an action, you suggest a course of activity (limited to a sentence or two) to influence a creature you can see within range that can hear and understand you. Creatures that can’t be charmed are immune to this effect. The suggestion must be worded in such a manner as to make the course of action sound reasonable. Asking the creature to stab itself, throw itself onto a spear, immolate itself, or do some other obviously harmful act ends the effect.

The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it pursues the course of action you described to the best of its ability. The suggested course of action can continue for up to 24 hours. If the suggested activity can be completed in a shorter time, the effect ends when the subject finishes what it was asked to do.

You can also specify conditions that will trigger a special activity during the duration. For example, you might suggest that a knight give her warhorse to the first beggar she meets. If the condition isn’t met before the effect ends, the activity isn’t performed.

If you or any of your companions damage the target, the effect ends.

You may only use this feature once before finishing a short or long rest.

Bonus Proficiencies

Beginning at 3rd level when you select this pursuit, you gain proficiency in martial weapons, medium armor, and shields.

Tactic Mastery

At 3rd level, you gain access to new maneuvers which reflect your mastery in the field of combat. Whenever you learn a new maneuver, you can choose from any of the following as well. The maneuvers are listed in alphabetical order.

Additionally, You learn one additional maneuver of your choice.

Commander's Strike. When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can forgo one of your attacks and use a bonus action to direct one of your companions to strike. When you do so, choose a friendly creature within 60 feet who can see or hear you and expend one superiority die. That creature can immediately use its reaction to make one weapon attack, adding your superiority die to the attack’s damage roll.

Disarming Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to disarm the target, forcing it to drop one item of your choice that it's holding. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and the target must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, it drops the object you choose. The object lands at its feet.

Lunging Attack. When you make a melee weapon attack on your turn, you can expend one superiority die to increase your reach for that attack by 5 feet. If you hit, you add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll.

Maneuvering Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to maneuver one of your comrades into a more advantageous position. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and you choose a friendly creature who can see or hear you.

That creature can use its reaction to move up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks from the target of your attack.

Pushing Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to drive the target back. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and if the target is Large or smaller, it must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, you push the target up to 15 feet away from you.

Riposte. When a creature misses you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction and expend one superiority die to make a melee weapon attack against the creature. If you hit, you add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll.

Scholar's Parry. When a creature damages you with a weapon attack, you can use your reaction and expend one superiority die to reduce the damage by your superiority die + your Intelligence modifier.

Sweeping Attack. When you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to damage another creature with the same attack. Choose another creature within 5 feet of the original target and within your reach. If the original attack roll would hit the second creature, it takes damage equal to the number you rolled on your superiority die. The damage is of the same type dealt by the original attack.

Targeted Attack. When you make a weapon attack roll, you can expend one superiority die to add it to the roll. You can use this maneuver before or after making the attack roll, but before any effects of the attack are applied.

Trip Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to knock the target down. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and if the target is Large or smaller, it must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, you knock the target prone.

Combat Survey

At 6th level, you can survey the field, allowing you a moment to formulate a plan. When you are in combat, you can use your action to survey the field and recover one expended superiority die.

You can use this feature once before finishing a short or long rest.

Multi-Target Analysis

At 11th level, when you use your Critical Analysis feature, you can analyze two targets within range at once and can have two analyzed targets at any one time.

All-Out Attack

At 17th level, you can use your action to initiate an all-out attack. Choose a number of allies up to your Intelligence modifier within 60 feet who can see or hear you. The chosen allies may then immediately use their reaction to make one weapon attack against a target of your choice. You may choose the target for each attack separately.

Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Adaptive

Prerequisite: 7th level
When the target of your critical analysis feature is reduced to 0 hit points, you can use your reaction to change the target of your analysis to another creature within range.

Arcane Amateur

Choose one 1st-level spell from the Wizard spell list. You learn that spell and can cast it at its lowest level without expending a spell slot. Once you cast it in this way, you must finish a long rest before you can cast itagain. Your spellcasting ability for this spell is Intelligence.

You can select this discovery multiple times. Each time you do so, you must choose a different spell.

Backstab

Prerequisite: 15th level, Politician Pursuit
When you hit a creature that is charmed or frightened of you, the attack is a critical hit. You can’t use this feature again on the same creature until you finish a short or long rest.

Charming Feint

Prerequisite: 12th level, Politician Pursuit
Add your Charisma modifier to melee attack rolls you make against humanoids within 5 feet.

Clever Applications

You become proficient in Improvised Weapons. Additionally, when you make an attack with an improvised weapon, it deals 1d6 damage instead.

Cold Logic

Prerequisite: Politician Pursuit
You may use your Intelligence modifier instead of your Charisma modifier when you make an Intimidation skill check.

Contingency Plan

Prerequisite: 9th level, Tactician Pursuit
When the target of your critical analysis feature attacks you and scores a critical hit, you can expend a superiority die to treat the attack as a normal hit instead.

Once you use this feature, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.

Developed Resistance

Prerequisite: 9th level
You gain resistance to poison damage and advantage on saving throws against poison.

Discerning Eyes

Prerequisite: 5th level
You have advantage on saving throws against illusions and on Intelligence checks to discern them from reality.

Dominating Presence

Prerequisite: 15th level, Politician Pursuit
As an action, you can call out to a humanoid who can undstand you that is charmed by you or frightened of you to direct their next action. The target must succeed a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier) or until the end of your next turn, the creature takes only the actions you choose, and doesn't do anything that you don't allow it to do.

During this time you can also cause the creature to use a reaction, but this requires you to use your own reaction as well.

Once you use this feature, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.

Dungeoneer

You have advantage on Perception (Wisdom) checks and Investigation (Intelligence) checks to locate any secret doors or traps.

Explorer

When you make a Survival skill check, you may use your Intelligence modifier instead of your Wisdom modifier.

Extra Attack

Prerequisite: 5th level, Tactician Pursuit
You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.

Fighting Style

Prerequisite: Tactician Pursuit
You adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. Choose one of the options available to the Fighter class. You can’t take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again.

Hardened Mind

Prerequisite: 15th level
You gain resistance to Psychic damage.

Lifelong Learning

Gain proficiency in two skills or two tools, or one skill and one tool.

You can select this discovery multiple times, each time choosing two new skills or tools.

Lingering Advice

Prerequisite: 7th level
When you use your sage advice feature, the targeted creatures retain the benefit from your instruction for the full duration.

Linguist

You learn two additional languages.

You my choose this discovery multiple times, each time choosing two new languages.

Master's Advice

Prerequisite: 15th level
When you use your sage advice feature, the first time each targeted creature makes the chosen skill check, they gain an additional +10 bonus to the roll.

Version 4

• Academic Superiority -- Reduced base die size from d8 to d6, improved die to d8 at 5th level and grant additional die
• Critical Analysis -- Removed limit for how often it can be used, reduced bonus die size. Added ability to use INT for attack/damage rolls vs. analyzed target w/ ranged & finesse weapons.
• Removed "Renewed Alacrity" no longer relevant with reworked Critical Analysis
• Moved Lightning Execution to 18th level, replaced with Unwavering Mind at 7th level
• Moved Unwavering Mind to 7th level, replaced with Calculated Defenses at 14th
• Physician: Renamed "Bloodletting" to "Lacerate"
• Politician: Changed Beguiling Presence function from improving behavior to giving disadvantage vs. charm/fear effects within range.
• Politician: changed "Charming Presence" to "Overwhelming Presence" - added fear option and removed charming limitations
• Politician: gave allies bonus speed on Charge maneuver
• Minor alterations to reflect change of Critical Analysis

Version 4.5

• Scholar Table: Now shows defined dice progression & number of dice
• Academic Superiority: Number of dice is now defined in the Scholar table and no longer reliant on INT
• Academic Superiority: Dice now scale up to d12 at 15th level
• Maneuver – Administer Aid: Clarified wording
• Critical Analysis: d8 die increase advanced to level 9
• Relentless: removed in favor of d12 superiority die
• Genius Unbound: Able to use maneuvers w/o expending die at base level
• Physician – Field Surgeon: cleaned up wording
• Physician – Resuscitate: Cleared up wording and added the ability to stabilize as a bonus action.
• Politician – Learned Diplomat – Call to Arms: Cleared up wording
• Politician – Learned Diplomat – Rally: Changed modifier to key off INT instead of CHA
• Discoveries - Clarified prerequisites wording.
• Discoveries - Backstab: Changed from usable only once per short/long rest to can't target the same creature until completing a rest.
• Discoveries – Reliable Words: Specified skills it applies to
• Discoveries – Resolute: Cleaned up wording and added resistance to fear effects.
• Discoveries – Tend the Wounded: Now scales on Superiority die instead of flat d8
• Updated opening flavor text
• Several grammar fixes