(This is a combination of the Bereaved homebrew and the Soldier background)

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. However, your days with that group are done. You are among the few and perhaps the only survivor. 

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. Whoever they were, they had an impact on your life so profound that they dominate your thoughts even now. You have physical scars from that last battle, but the emotional and psychological scars run deeper. 

 

Skill Proficiencies: Pick two of the following: Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Survival

Tool Proficiencies: One type of toolset, vehicles (land)

Equipment: A keepsake from your battles or your fellow soldiers and a pouch containing at most 10 gp

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.

d12	Personality Trait
1	I’m haunted by memories of war. I can’t get the images of violence out of my mind.
2	I’ve lost too many friends, and I’m slow to make new ones.
3	I’m full of inspiring and cautionary tales from my military experience relevant to almost every situation, combat or not.
4	I can stare down a hell hound without flinching.
5	I enjoy being strong and like breaking things.
6	I have a crude sense of humor.
7	I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success.
8	I'm working on my drinking problem.
9	I refuse to become a victim, and I will not allow others to be victimized.
10	I put no trust in divine beings.
11	History is written by the victors. The bards and sages are all liars and I will prove them wrong.
12	I'm hugely interested in reincarnation and/or the afterlife.

d6	Ideal
1	Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others. (Good)
2	Duty. I have a job to fulfill. It shall be so. (Lawful)
3	Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic)
4	I’m a monster that destroys other monsters, and anything else that gets in my way. (Evil)
5	Live and Let Live. Ideals aren’t worth killing over or going to war for. (Neutral)
6	I’ll stop the spirits that haunt me or die trying. (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	A terrible guilt consumes me. I hope that I can find redemption through my actions.
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 feel no compassion for the dead. They’re the lucky ones.
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 talk to spirits that no one else can see.
6	I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong.