You are a traveling mercenary of some stripe, either a veteran hireling or a greenhorn hoping to make a fortune in your new career. Perhaps you are a former soldier putting your skills to use for pay, or you may be a former peasant hoping to see the world through your new line of work. Though sellswords are most commonly warriors and rogues, many magic-users are known to prefer the life of contract work over academic pursuits or mysticism.
- Skill Proficiencies: Sellswords come in all shapes and sizes: assassins who deal in death, charming rogues who constantly negotiate for better pay, wise mercenaries who use their knowledge to overcome their obstacles, and various others. Chose one skill from Athletics, Deception, History, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Perception, Persuasion, Stealth, or Survival.
- Languages: Either by birth or in preparation for your journeys you have learned how to speak any two common languages, allowing you all the more opportunities to make new contacts and strike deals with those outside your race.
Feature: Supply and Demand
You've caught on quickly to the fact that no matter where one goes, there's always going to be pay available to someone who knows how to swing a weapon or cast the right spell. You can always find some kind of work where your skills as a mercenary could be put to use, though this may range from as extravagant as a bounty for bandits or monsters to as simple as a farmer needing an extra guard to watch over his land for the night. The more of these odd-jobs you complete in one region, the more your name will be spread around and soon you may even find yourself being sought out by those who need a helping hand the longer you stay in one place.
Suggested Characteristics
Whatever your morals and philosophy might be, you ultimately return to the pursuit of the almighty coin as a primary factor in your motivation.
| d8 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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I am constantly trying to coax out extra gold from those who wish to hire me.
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2
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I try to make friends everywhere I go, real or otherwise. You can never have too many contacts.
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3
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When speaking with someone offering work, I am exceedingly polite and regal (or foul and blunt).
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4
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I make a note of every rumor I hear, mentally or literally, in case I might be able to find work involving them.
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5
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I am flexible about what I take as payment: instead of gold I might take valuable information, unique or magical items, or even simple hospitality.
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6
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I am far more than a simple hired thug: if a non-violent solution is available to my contracts I will gladly pursue it.
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7
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I enjoy familiarizing myself with the local culture of wherever I find myself in, whether it be through reading about its history or simply mingling with the folk who live there.
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8
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I love telling stories of exploits and adventure, be it those of my party or those of a figure I idolize.
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| d7 |
Ideal |
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1
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Profit. At the end of the day, I’m just trying to make a living doing what I’m good at. (Neutral)
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2
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Self-Sufficiency. No matter what contracts I’m taking, it’s all worth it so long as it lets me live my own life. (Chaotic)
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3
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Order. Though I seek payment for my work, I ultimately pursue contracts which allow me to keep the peace. (Lawful)
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4
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Thrill of Combat. In the end I’m only interested in unleashing my strength on my lessers, all the better that I get paid for it. (Evil)
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5
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Assistance. The fortune I earn from my work is nice, but in the end I ultimately wish to make the land safer through my journeys. (Good)
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6
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Glory. I have no intention of ending my career until my name is known across the land. (Any)
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7
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Adventure. I always wanted to see the world and meet new people, and selling my skills is the best way to do just that. (Any)
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| d6 |
Bond |
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1
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I was once in a larger mercenary band, and still keep in contact with the friends I made during my time there.
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2
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I send back much of my fortune to a loved one, family member(s), or old friend(s) who struggle to support themselves.
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3
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I was trained in my skills by a retired expert who mastered those same abilities, and I strive to live up to their example.
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4
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I was betrayed and left for dead after completing a job for someone powerful, and I will not rest until I make them pay.
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5
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One day, I plan to find someone I love in my journeys so I might lay down my arms and build a family off my fortune.
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6
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Once I have secured fame and fortune, I plan to ascend to the heights of nobility and secure a better life for myself and/or my comrades.
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| d6 |
Flaw |
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1
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When being paid for what the party as a whole is owed, I skim off what won’t be missed for myself.
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2
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I’m a cheapskate, if I can avoid pitching in to pay for group resources then I’ll do just that.
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3
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If it seems like my friends or I are being underpaid, I’m likely to make things worse by angrily demanding better rewards.
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4
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I’ll gladly take a bribe if it’s a better deal than what I’m being offered on my current quest.
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5
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I can’t invest to save my life, after a large payment I almost always spend far too much of it on my personal vices.
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6
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Boasting of my deeds is my favorite pastime, which too often catches attention from the wrong people.
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