The Annalist (Character Kit)

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==The Annalist ==
﻿The annalist is an historian who concentrates solely on a specific topic. The annalist devotes his life to chronicling and maintaining the history of his specialty. Commonly, this specialty area is the proceedings of a royal court or some other form of government. However, annalists sometimes attach themselves to a particular town or wandering mercenary unit.
The annalist is the undisputed expert in his chosen topic. He spends his days listening to tales and recording them in black and white for the edification of future generations.
Many powerful people or organizations wish to be remembered long after they are dead and gone. This is the annalist's task. He maintains meticulous records about his topic and organizes the data in easily recognizable threads or tales.
The annalist often reads some of the histories he has recorded to his employer. Sometimes, he even delves into tomes created by those who have gone before him to find a story appropriate to the situation or the moment.
These tales are sometimes read at affairs of state or before a unit is about to march off to battle. They remind listeners about the traditions and duties they have sworn to uphold. In addition, these tales remind the audience that they are part of something larger then themselves.
Requirements: The annalist must organize vast amounts of information and boil it down﻿ to a meaningful tale. Also, he must relate that tale to an audience in an entertaining or commanding way.
As such, the annalist must possess a minimum Intelligence score of 14 and a Charisma of 12. This is in addition to the regular historian requirements.
Role: The annalist usually attaches himself to some larger organization or important personage. Heroes may encounter an annalist any time they run into a person or group with a real sense of history about its family or itself.
Some adventurers may even hire an annalist to record their deeds. Annalists charge 5 gp per week, but this fee can escalate depending on what other duties the annalist must perform.
Some annalists have a great deal of "down" time between their historical duties. Usually, they fill this time by performing other duties for which they charge extra. Annalists who travel in dangerous areas where they must defend themselves-such as a dungeon- usually demand a share of any discovered treasure from their employers.
The annalist is an almost inexhaustible source of information about his specialty. However, an annalist will never part with any information without the permission of his employer.
Weapon Proficiencies: Dagger, dart, staff, sling.
Nonweapon Proficiencies: Required: Ancient History, Local History, Reading/Writing. Recommended: Singing, Musical Instrument.
Equipment: The annalist requires little in the way of equipment. An annalist always carries a blank notebook, a pen, and a bottle of ink with him, just in case he should be required to begin an annal on the spot.
An annalist also has access to his employer's library. This library may contain several volumes dedicated entirely to the annalist's specialty. These books are very likely﻿ supplemented by ancillary texts concerning matters related to the main topic.
The cost of maintaining the modest library is borne entirely by the annalist's employer. If and when the annalist leaves his employer's service, he may not take any of his employer's books. In addition, all of the annalist's work becomes the property of his employer. If he leaves under good terms, the annalist may make copies of whatever he wishes.
Special Benefits: After spending an entire level with the same employer, the annalist receives a +3 bonus to any proficiency rolls related to the annalist's topic. When away from his employer's library, the annalist still receives a-3 penalty to both Ancient and Local History checks.
Spending an entire level with an employer means that every point of experience for that whole level must be earned while in the employ of that person or organization. If the annalist earns even 1 XP while away from his employee's service, he does not receive the bonus.
Special Hindrances: The annalist is bound to his employer. He knows little else about the history of matters outside his area of expertise. In fact, an annalist suffers a -3 penalty to his Local and Ancient history proficiency rolls when investigating matters outside his area of expertise.
In addition, the annalist cannot simply leave his employer at the drop of a hat. If he does, the annalist abandons his kit and becomes a regular historian, losing one level of experience in the process. For example, if a 7th-level annalist leaves his employer, he loses all annalist bonuses and becomes a 6th-level historian.
If the annalist ever returns to his former employer, he regains his lost level. However, most employers simply refuse to rehire an annalist who abandoned them.