Military/Naval Officer

You were a leader of soldiers on the battlefield.  You may have attended an elite training academy, been appointed to a posting due to political connections or hereditary obligations, or you may have been promoted from the ranks.  Your expertise lies less in physical fighting, and more in tactics, logistics, and leadership.  Any conscript can be trained to fire a bow; it takes leaders like you to analyze the battlefield to ensure that those archers are positioned effectively and have the necessary supply of arrows.

You will have to work with your DM to determine your rank, what types of troops you led, and the type of military organization you were part of.  Were you part of a national army or a mercenary company?  Has your unit been in large battles or were they mainly in skirmishes along a border?  And perhaps most importantly, what caused you to leave your former life?

Skill Proficiencies: As an officer you were required to maintain discipline in your ranks.  You were also expected to study the enemy commanders' movements and read his intentions.

Choose two from Insight, Intimidation, or Perception.

Tool Proficiencies: Moving troops requires fluency in map-reading.  Very often, in enemy territory, the only map available is the one you create.  Your training has made you proficient with the use of Cartographer's Tools.  (Or, as a naval officer, Navigator's tools)

Languages: One additional language

Equipment: An Officer's Sword (Longsword, Rapier, or Scimitar), Uniform (set of Fine Clothes), and a Map Case containing maps of the local area.  And a purse with 10 gp.

Suggested Characteristics

Military officers vary as much in their personalities, competence, and motivations as any other person.  Develop an interesting, cohesive personality.  The following are suggestions to get you started:

d8	Personality Trait
1	Student of War: I frequently compare our current situation to examples from history and try to apply the tactics employed by famous past generals.
2	Logistics Expert: Armies can't fight if they don't eat. I excel at managing resources and procuring supplies.
3	Inspiring Leader: I am always aware of my comrades' morale and have some inspirational words ready whenever spirits are low.
4	Concise and Precise: I rarely speak idly. My words are scarce but convey my exact meaning, avoiding misunderstanding.
5	Military Bearing: I always strive to present the image of an ideal officer. My clothes are spotless, my posture erect, and my manners impeccable.
6	Gallantry and Panache: I learned that the best leaders inspire their soldiers through daring acts and rakish flair. I'm the first through the breach and the first to buy a round at the tavern.
7	Broken Sword: I've sent too many brave soldiers to their deaths. Henceforth I am in charge of no one but myself. Let others shoulder the burden of command.
8	Thwarted Glory: I chafed under the constraints of a peacetime army. I resigned my commission to pursue a new path to fame and glory.

d6	Ideal
1	Good Order & Discipline: Some may suffer under the system, but many more would surely die if Chaos was given free rein. (Lawful)
2	Thin Red Line: We are all that holds the forces of Evil at bay. (Good)
3	Adrenaline Junkie: The military trained me to kill people and break things, and I've never been more happy. (Chaos)
4	Reluctant Warrior: War is sometimes necessary, but there should be concrete ends rather than vague ideological reasons. (Neutral)
5	Might Makes Right: It is the natural order for the strong to rule the weak. (Evil)
6	Mercenary: Everyone must make their own way in the world. I've spent my life training to be the best warrior I can be, and now I'm going to cash in on those skills. (Neutral)

d6	Bond
1	Honor: For in the end, what have we beside our reputation?
2	Glory: Long after I am dead, the bards will still sing of my glorious deeds!
3	Brothers in Arms: I will fight to the last drop of my blood for the comrades beside me, because I know they will do the same for me.
4	Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori: For King and Country
5	Atonement: I hold myself, fairly or unfairly, responsible for a horrible atrocity. I will spend the rest of my days trying to balance the scales.
6	Quid pro Quo: A deal is a deal; I will honor my end, and I expect you to honor yours.

d6	Flaw
1	Petty Tyrant: I enjoy demonstrating my power by inflicting minor humiliations on anyone I feel is beneath me.
2	Infallibilty: I have never been less than perfect. Any failures are due to others' shortcomings.
3	Authoritarian: I am used to being in command. In any stressful situation I fall into the habit of issuing orders, and I expect those orders to be carried out immediately.
4	Sycophant: Once I identify the person in charge, I attach myself firmly to their backside. No contrary opinions from me.
5	Indecisive: Perhaps it's a result of a bad call in the past, or maybe it's just who I am, but I can't make a decision if my life depends on it -- especially if my life depends on it!
6	Heartless: Others' lives and suffering do not factor in to my decision-making.