Hunted - by anti-education forces - as powerful, 8 or less - Cost -10
Conversion Notes: This package is based on the rogue scholar occupation from the Rifts role playing game. I based this package deal on the absolute minimum of abilities of a first level rogue scholar. This write-up uses Champions 5th edition rules.
The rogue scholar may not be quite what you expect. Like the scientist, he or she is frequently a rugged, physically fit explorer and keeper of knowledge. Also like the scientist, the rogue scholar is on the Coalition States' top most wanted list of criminal activists. They are considered to be more dangerous than the men of science, because the scholar seeks out knowledge and truth and teaches it to others. Science is confusing and intimidating to most people, but the scholar teaches on a much more rudimentary level and is therefore much more dangerous. By simply instilling uneducated people with curiosity, teaching them little things like how to read, write, and arithmetic, can sow the seeds of destruction. This completely undermines the Coalition's carefully executed plan to keep its citizens illiterate, uneducated, and complacent. A curious mind will always ask questions and ultimately challenge the authority before it when those questions are not satisfactorily answered. Something the powers that be
dislike.
Rogue scholars and scientists are men and women of the world, having shared time with mutoids, d-bees, men of magic, and other societies not under the repressive regime of the Coalition States. The Coalition has built an empire using secret technology, forgotten sciences, and fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of that which is different. The rogue's teachings could destroy the walls of fear with the light of knowledge and the walls of differences could tumble down by learning just how similar people of all kinds really are. To give their words greater impact, scholars frequently possess forbidden artifacts from man's past and articles from other civilizations of the present. Terrible objects such as books, photographs, artwork, recordings, film, and other things from the past and present. Things that could threaten the Coalition States' empire.
In a strange way the Coalition respect the scholars and scientists who dare to pursue knowledge knowing full well that it may cost them their lives. The Coalition also recognizes that these men and women may have uncovered knowledge that could be vital to the Coalition. Remember, while the Coalition States promotes ignorance among its citizens, its political network, military elite, and own scientists are extremely educated. As a rule, rogues are captured and interrogated. A cooperative individual who comes to realize that he was "misguided," may be released or asked to join the Coalition as one of their operatives. The more stubborn will be imprisoned for years. The defiant will have their knowledge partially extracted during a period of imprisonment that could be a matter of weeks or years, before being executed as terrorists.
The rogue scholar is usually clever, resourceful, and giving to thinking before he acts. This can make for the beginnings of a good strategist, tactician, and diplomat. Scholars tend to be charismatic and long to share what they know as much as they desire to learn more.
Scholars are notorious collectors. They adore books and video discs, appreciate art, and value learning in all its varied expressions. This means that they will gather quite an array of items over the course of their travels. Items often incredibly valuable on the black market, and a death sentence if apprehended by Coalition forces. The problem is that the scholar can seldom bear to sell the precious items. Ah, the price of knowledge and art.
Art by Kevin Long.
Occupation created by Palladium Books.
Champions rules conversion by Mathew R. Ignash - mathewignash@comcast.net.
Last Updated - December, 2004
