Many organizations active on the Straderan Isles and across the face of Corellia aren't bound by strictures of geography. These factions pursue their agendas without regard for political boundaries, and their members operate anywhere the organization deems necessary. These groups employ listeners, rumormongers, smugglers, sellswords, cache-holders (people who guard caches of wealth or magic for use by the faction's operatives), haven keepers, and message drop minders, to name a few.
At the core of every faction are those who don't merely fulfill a small function for that organization, but who serve as its hands, head, and heart. As a prelude to your adventuring career (and in preparation for it), you served as an agent of a particular faction in Corellia. You might have operated openly or secretly, depending on the faction and its goals, as well as how those goals mesh with your own. Becoming an adventurer doesn't necessarily require you to relinquish membership in your faction (though you can choose to do so), and it might enhance your status in the faction.
- Skill Proficiencies: Insight, and one Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma skill of your choice, as appropriate to your faction
- Languages: Two of your choice
- Equipment: Badge or emblem of your faction, a copy of a seminal faction text (or a code-book for a covert faction), a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp
Feature: Save Haven
As a faction agent, you have access to a secret network of supporters and operatives who can provide assistance on your adventures. You know a set of secret signs and passwords you can use to identify such operatives, who can provide you with access to a hidden safe house, free room and board, or assistance in finding information. These agents never risk their lives for you or risk revealing their true identities.
Suggested Characteristics
Use the tables for the Acolyte background in the Player's Handbook as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to suit your identity as a faction agent. (For instance, consider the words "faith" and "faction" to be interchangeable.) Your bond might be associated with other members of your faction, or a location or an object that is important to your faction. The ideal you strive for is probably in keeping with the tenets and principles of your faction, but might be more personal in nature.
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Personality Trait |
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1
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I idolize a particular hero of my faction, and constantly refer to that person’s deeds and example.
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2
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I can find common ground between the fiercest enemies, empathizing with them and always working toward peace.
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3
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I see omens in every event and action.
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4
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Nothing can shake my optimistic attitude.
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5
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I quote (or misquote) faction texts and codes in almost every situation.
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6
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I am tolerant (or intolerant) of other factions and respect (or condemn) their members.
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7
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I’ve enjoyed fine food, drink, and high society among my faction's elite. Rough living grates on me.
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8
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I’ve spent so long undercover that I have little practical experience dealing with people in the outside world.
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Ideal |
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1
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Tradition. The traditions of our faction must be upheld for our own good. (Lawful)
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2
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Family. My faction isn't just a job, it's my family, and family looks out for each other. (Good)
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3
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Change. We must help bring about the changes that benefit us. (Chaotic)
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4
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Power. I hope to one day rise to the top of my faction's hierarchy. (Lawful)
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5
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Trust. I trust that the higher ups know what is best. I have faith that if I work hard, things will go well. (Lawful)
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6
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Aspiration. I seek to prove myself worthy of the boss' favor by matching my actions against his or hers. (Any)
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Bond |
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1
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I would die to protect another member of my faction.
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2
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I will someday get revenge on the rival faction who cast me out.
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3
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I owe my life to the boss, who took me in when my parents died.
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4
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Everything I do is for the faction's interest.
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5
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I will do anything to protect my faction.
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6
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I seek to preserve our traditions that my enemies seek to destroy.
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Flaw |
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1
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I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely.
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2
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I put too much trust in those who wield power within my faction's hierarchy.
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3
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My dependence sometimes leads me to blindly trust those within my faction.
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4
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I am inflexible in my thinking.
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5
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I am suspicious of strangers and expect the worst of them.
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6
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Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life.
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