War has been your life for as long as you care to remember. You trained as a youth, studied the use of weapons and armor, learned basic survival techniques, including how to stay alive on the battlefield. You might have been part of a standing national army or a mercenary company, or perhaps a member of a local militia who rose to prominence during a recent war. (When you choose this background, work with your DM to determine which military organization you were a part of, how far through its ranks you progressed, and what kind of experiences you had during your military career. Was it a standing army, a town guard, or a village militia? Or it might have been a noble’s or merchant’s private army, or a mercenary company.)
However, your life took a turn for the worse. A tragic and traumatic event in your life has shattered your faith in the existing justice system and law enforcement, convincing you of its ineffectiveness and corruption. With a corrupt justice system and without effective law enforcement, you must become judge and jury (and perhaps, executioner). After all, when surrounded by enemy combatants (as many criminals are now) right here at home, what's a career soldier to do but go to war?
- Skill Proficiencies: choose two from Acrobatics, Athletics, Investigation, Insight, Intimidation, Deception, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, and Survival
- Tool Proficiencies: thieves' tools, vehicles (land)
- Equipment: A symbol that identifies you as a vigilante, a shortsword, a set of thieves' tools, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp
During your time as a soldier, you had a specific role to play in your unit or army. Roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below to determine your role:
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Officer |
| 2 | Scout |
| 3 | Infantry |
| 4 | Cavalry |
| 5 | Healer |
| 6 | Quartermaster |
| 7 | Standard bearer |
| 8 | Support staff (cook, blacksmith, or the like) |
Your actions as a vigilante have created diverse opinions and reactions to you. Those who see the corruption in the justice system support you, while those who benefit from it are vehemently opposed. As a defender of the defenseless and protector of the people, most common folk see you as a hero; they feel safe with you around and won't report you or turn you in unless not doing so becomes dangerous for them. Those who may have used their wealth and position to benefit from the situation, such as some of the corrupt politicians, merchants, and nobles in the city, are afraid of the many bad things your war on crime could mean for them and want to stop you (as long as they don't have to risk life or livelihood). Any officers of the law who recognize you as a vigilante, regardless of if they're dirty or just trying to do the right thing, are obligated to try to take you in, or take you down. Of course, the criminals and the corrupt hate and fear you universally.
Suggested Characteristics
The horrors of war combined with the rigid discipline of military service leave their mark on all soldiers, shaping their ideals, creating strong bonds, and often leaving them scarred and vulnerable to fear, shame, and hatred.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m always polite and respectful. |
| 2 | I’m haunted by memories of war. I can’t get the images of violence out of my mind. |
| 3 | I’ve lost too many friends, and I’m slow to make new ones. |
| 4 | I’m full of inspiring and cautionary tales from my military experience relevant to almost every combat situation. |
| 5 | I can stare down a hell hound without flinching. |
| 6 | I enjoy being strong and like breaking things. |
| 7 | I have a crude sense of humor. |
| 8 | I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others. (Good) |
| 2 | Responsibility. I do what I must and obey just authority. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. In life as in war, the stronger force wins. (Evil) |
| 5 | Live and Let Live. Ideals aren’t worth killing over or going to war for. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Nation. My city, nation, or people are all that matter. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would still lay down my life for the people I served with. |
| 2 | Someone saved my life on the battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind. |
| 3 | My honor is my life. |
| 4 | I’ll never forget the crushing defeat my company suffered or the enemies who dealt it. |
| 5 | Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for. |
| 6 | I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still leaves me quivering with fear. |
| 2 | I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior. |
| 3 | I made a terrible mistake in battle that cost many lives—and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret. |
| 4 | My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning. |
| 5 | I obey the law, even if the law causes misery. |
| 6 | I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong. |
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