You once were what most common folk are–a farmer. You worked the land, either on your own property or that of another, and produced resources from the land. Farmers are a hearty, enduring folk, working long hours under the sun often doing dirty and exhausting or even disgusting work. As a farmer, or farm hand, you may have specialized in one area of agriculture, or had a jack of all trades approach, growing many crops and tending to small numbers of a variety of animals.
However, when war came to your sleepy country, you were among those called to arms to protect it. 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. Whatever the case, you had to quickly learn the use of weapons and armor, and basic survival techniques, including how to stay alive on the battlefield.
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.
- Skill Proficiencies: Your choice of two of the following: Athletics, Survival, Animal Handling, Nature, or Intimidation
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, vehicles (land)
- Equipment: An insignia of rank, a trophy taken from a fallen enemy (a dagger, broken blade, or piece of a banner), a set of bone dice or deck of cards, a set of common clothes, a waterproof cloak, and a pouch containing 10 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) |
The war is over now for you. You returned home and found everything and nothing the same.
Young children will often flock to you looking for war stories, but their mothers quickly shoo them away.
Other Veterans will invite you to join them, and will willingly provide you with any information they can provide.
People treat you with respect, but keep their distance. You will find a bed, hot meal, and a round of beer in any town you attend where you are known to have served (provided it is in the country you served in), but you find yourself sitting alone. This could be for any number of reasons: they don't want to disturb you, they feel uncomfortable around someone who has killed, they assume you don't want to mix with them, etc. That is up to you and your DM to determine.
In enemy lands you are met with suspicion and fear, should it be made known you fought for the other side.
You will have trouble finding lodging, and your beer is more likely than not to contain spit.
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. |
| d8 | 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) |
| 7 | Atonement - I committed or stood by as shameful acts took place in the fog of war. I will strive to be better, and make up for my past. |
| 8 | Mentor-ship - I see young ones headed down the path I once took, and feel compelled to guide them along it or towards a better path. |
| d8 | 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. |
| 7 | I went to war and fell in love (with a comrade, or an enemy) now I am bound to find them again |
| 8 | My trusty _______ never left my side throughout the war, so now I keep it with me. |
| d8 | 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. |
| 7 | I was a coward in battle/ I faked my own death/ I defected to the other side/ I deserted my post |
| 8 | I was given an illegal/immoral order - I still have nightmares about the events of that day |
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