Exile

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. After years of hard training and survival, either putting your skills at the service of your people or simply your coin purse, deservedly or not, you had started climbing the ranks.

However, whether because of your foolishness or because you stepped on the wrong foot, or just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, you have been dishonorably discharged and exiled.

With nothing but a stain on your reputation and your pockets empty like your stomach, you now try to make worth of your connections and your abilities to scrape by, on the edge of the law, a tad underneath or where laws matter not. You thought that living day by day, worrying only about getting to the next dawn alive, would give you a sense of freedom, but there is no peace in your heart. The days start to resemble each other and it feels like the vast spaces of the solitude you appreciate so much, are turning into emptiness. You wait until the moment someone or something will cross your path and cast your shadows away and gift a new life full of meaning and adventure.

 

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, what kind of experiences you had during your military career and what was the reason which brought to your discharge. 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. Have you decided to live in a city, a town, a village? Or did you choose the wilds as your new home?

Skill Proficiencies: As a former man at arms, you have been trained in the arts of war and survival, moulding them around your new life needs. (Choose one skill from: Athletics, Investigation, Nature, Persuasion)

 

Tool Proficiencies: Choose any from Thieves' Tools, Woodcarver's Tools, Leatherworker's Tools or Fishing Tackle.

Languages: Long years spent among your brothers in arms and around all sorts of humanoids and creatures, gave you the chance to become proficient in another language. (Choose any one language)

Equipment:

• It's easier to stay in the city or on its borders. Chances to obtain some coins and a comfortable bed, while keeping yourself away from indiscreet eyes in case your infamy preceded you. You understand well the ways of the civilized world, but you are a part of it no more. You are equipped with a a set of dark traveler's clothes with a hood, a dagger you managed to smuggle out the army before being discharged, a belt pouch with a flask of oil, a vial and 5 gp.
• You never felt such a sense of belonging as when sleeping under the stars in the wilderness. Nature is harsh and unwelcoming, yet just in its impartiality, something that you found lacking in your old life. Better be prepared to provide for yourself and the travelers you might encounter, they might repay your help with some commodities. You are equipped with a set of traveler's clothes with a hood, a hunt short bow, a quiver with 5 arrows, a sack, a torch, a vial, a hempen rope, a tent (two person) and 55sp.

Suggested Characteristics

While you prefer solitude, not everything can be achieved on one's own. Eventually events much bigger than you will come knock your door...if you have one. You might be slow to trust strangers in a party, but you also remember the joy of companionship and the strength of banding together.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I frequently pace to gather my thoughts, and will take long walks when I need to work through something.
2	I disdain nobles and aspiring fancypants, but I always give a chance to prove oneself.
3	I refrain from opening up to people, unless they have struggled together with me.
4	I feel a need to prove myself to others so I won't be thrown out again.
5	I don't talk about my past, nobody knows who might be listening.
6	I'd rather make friends than enemies.
7	I talk to travelers frequently for any news that might turn useful.
8	I prefer not to speak when not deemed necessary, but I always listen.

d6	Ideal
1	Redemption: make the best of your new situation and use your abilities to help others. (Neutral Good)
2	Revenge: The end justifies the means. (Neutral Evil)
3	Nature: The world moves on despite mortals' ideas, and we are inconsequential. (Neutral)
4	Patience: Wait and see...then strike with no mercy (Lawful Evil)
5	Unbound: If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him (Chaotic Neutral)
6	Rigor: Some medals you pin on the soul, not on your jacket. (Chaotic Good)

d6	Bond
1	I departed to hide from the ones who might still be hunting me. I must someday confront them.
2	I still have a couple of friends I have made during my career in the military.
3	Those who fought beside me are those worth dying for.
4	I am constantly looking for the place I belong and my true meaning in life.
5	I repay my debts.
6	I have not even had the chance to say goodbye to the person I love.

d6	Flaw
1	I ignore the input of others, trusting only in my own experiences and knowledge.
2	I linger in my memories too much.
3	I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely.
4	I have prejudice against Blind faith of any kind.
5	I can’t resist helping damsels in tears.
6	I despise the powerful and can't resist swindling them whenever I get the chance.