School Clique: Prefect (Variant: Monitor)

School is orgnaised chaos, where the jocks meet at the same table for before practice, the rebels stay to the side while mimicing the popular entourages with their social statuses to update, the nerds and geeks weclome you at thier table seeing the value in interlectual discussion. The only thing in standing the way of true chaos, a fight breaking out at any moment, is you. Some of the others see you as boring, a know-it-all, or some other form of insult. Others see you as vigilant, one of many social sentinels, or a worthy challenge.

As a Monitor, your tactic when it comes to finding potential rule-breakers is more praxic than simply standing and keeping watch. You've been told routes around your campus that not only will get you to classes quicker, but also ensure you never get lost even in the darkest corners where some students choose to hide thier various secrets. You have been sworn to secrecy with this information, but there surely isn't anything wrong with sharing it with some of your closest compatriots if they need the help, right?

Prefects are the American equivalent of the British Head Boys/Girls, or your regional equivalent.

Skill Proficiencies: You have a keen sense for finding the truth from your fellow classmates, be it through charm, blackmail or other cues. You gain proficency in two of the following skills: Investigation (Intellegence), Insight (Wisdom), Intimidation (Charisma), Persuasion (Charisma).

Tool Proficiencies: Culture is an important thing to study, order can only be maintainted if there is a culture willing to follow it. You gain proficency in a musical instrument of your choice and it is added to your starting equipment.

Languages: Prefects keep their ears open, ready to dispell conversation or to gather information for themselves or authorities. To assist in that, Prefects frequently excell in a specific langugae class that many choose not to take. You gain proficency with one language of your choice from: Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Giant, Gnomish, Halfling, Orc, Undercommon, Marquesian or Zemnian.

The languages presented here are a general suggested pool that can cover a wide range of campaign settings. Your DM/GM can choose to add or remove available languages from this list, if so it is recommended the language being added is either; a remnant of a common ancient civilisation that could be found in high school text books (with Draconic and Giant alluding to real-world Latin), or is of another contintent and otherwise shared by a race of common people in your world (such as Zemnian being similar to real-world German).

Equipment: As a Prefect you have attention to detail when it comes to your studies and thus know it is wise to always be prepared and to always look the part. When you pick this background, you gain a Schollar's Pack, a school uniform (equivalent to Fine Clothes), a musical instrument that you are proficent in and a pouch containing 10 gold peices.

Suggested Characteristics

Prefects conjure the image of sociable, helpful members of any school but are known for their strictness of rules.

To play on the broad, sociable sterotype consider using characteristics from the Folk Hero and Guild Artisan backgrounds, found in the Players Handbook, to reflect your work as part of a student union, specific after school club or similar organisation.

If you want to play a more stricter Prefect that aims to be the smartest person in the room, use traits from the Sage background.

For a more manipulative Prefect or if you want to a character that can add social intregue to your game, consider adopting characteristics from Criminal or Noble to reflect your higher than average status with faculty.