Fantasy NPC: Biru Hakka, A Practical Archaeologist

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Biru Hakka, A Practical Archaeologist

A silhouette wearing classical adventuring gear, with head and arms covered in multiple layers of clothing protecting from dust and sand.

CR 5; 1,600 XP

Skeletal champion human archeologist bard 5

NE Medium Undead (augmented human)

Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +13

Defense
AC 20, touch 14, flat-footed 17 (+4 armor, +1 deflection, +3 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 49 (7d8+14)
Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +8

Defensive Abilities channel resistance +4, trap sense +1, uncanny dodge; DR 5/bludgeoning; Immune cold, undead traits

Offense
Speed 30 ft.

Melee kukri +8 (1d4+4, 18–20/×2) or two kukris +6

Ranged short bow +7 (1d6, ×3)

Special Attacks archaeologist luck 12 rounds/day (swift action, +2 to attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and weapon damage)

Bard Spells Known (CL 5th, concentration +7)

2nd (3/day)—invisibility, locate object

1st (5/day)—detect secret doors, feather fall, unseen servant

0 (at will)—dancing lights, detect magic, mage hand, mending, open/close, prestidigitation

Statistics
Str 16, Dex 16, Con —, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 15
Base Atk +4; CMB +7; CMD 21
Feats Double Slice, Extra Performance, Improved Initiative^B, Lingering Performance, Two-Weapon Fighting

Skills Acrobatics +13, Appraise +13, Climb +13, Disable Device +14, Knowledge (any) +3, Perception +13, Sleight Of Hands +12, Stealth +13, Use Magic Device +12
Language Common, Duc, Aklo

SQ bardic knowledge +2, clever explorer +2, lore master (1/day), rogue talent (fast stealth)

Notable Gear +1 studded leather armor, +1 cloak of resistance, +1 ring of deflection, two +1 kukris, hat of disguise, whatever cheap poison is available locally—obviously Biru no longer has to worry about accidentally poisoning oneself

Biru Hakka was a self-designated "practical archaeologist", which really meant little more than a glorified tomb-robber, accompanying legitimate archeological expeditions as an excuse to appropriate whatever could be flinched and easily sold to unscrupulous traders.

Never the brightest or the most skilled, Biru managed to get oneself killed—drowned in a corrosive basin to be precise—when her limited linguistic and magical skills failed her. That should had been the end of her career, except one of the trinkets she had already picked up was some sort of necromantic tool, and bound her spirit to her dying body. The acid cleared her bones of the flesh nicely, giving her bones a warm golden shine. It also made some of her old contacts squeamish about dealing with her but she found new ones in their place.

In fact, her transformation was as much of a blessing as a curse, making her impervious to many threats faced in her line of work, though it also robbed her of many pleasures of life. Thankfully, she found that she can still enjoy her work—both the legal and the shady aspects of her approach to archaeology.