Forest Guard

Though you might have only recently arrived in civilized lands, you are no stranger to the values of cooperation and group effort when striving for supremacy. You learned these principles, and much more, as a member of the Forest Guard.

Your people have always tried to hold to the old ways. Tradition and taboo have kept the guard strong while the kingdoms of others have collapsed into chaos and ruin. But for the last few generations, some bands among the guard were tempted to settle, make peace, trade, and even to build towns. Perhaps this is why Zulkan chose to raise up the totems among the people as living embodiments of his power. Perhaps they needed a reminder of who they were and from whence they came. The Chosen of Zulkan led bands back to the old ways, and most of your people abandoned the soft ways of civilization.   

Skill Proficiencies: Animal handling and survival

Languages: One of your choice

Suggested Characteristics

Use the tables for the outlander background below as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to suit your identity as a member of the Forest Guard.

Even if you have left the Guard behind (at least for now), you hold to the traditions of your people. You will never cut down a still-living tree, and you may not countenance such an act being done in your presence. The Guard mounds—great hills where the totem spirits were defeated by Uthgar and where the heroes of the tribes are interred—are sacred to you

d8	Personality Trait
1	I’m driven by a wanderlust that led me away from home.
2	I watch over my friends as if they were a litter of newborn pups.
3	I once ran twenty-five miles without stopping to warn my fellow Guardsmen of an approaching orc horde. I’d do it again if I had to.
4	I have a lesson for every situation, drawn from observing nature.
5	I place no stock in wealthy or well-mannered folk. Money and manners won’t save you from a hungry owlbear.
6	I’m always picking things up, absently fiddling with them, and sometimes accidentally breaking them.
7	I feel far more comfortable around animals than people.
8	I was, in fact, raised by wolves.

d6	Ideal
1	Change. Life is like the seasons, in constant change, and we must change with it. (Chaotic)
2	Greater Good. It is each person’s responsibility to make the most happiness for the Guard. (Good)
3	Honor. If I dishonor myself, I dishonor the whole of the Guard. (Lawful)
4	Might. The strongest are meant to rule. (Evil)
5	Nature. The natural world is more important than all the constructs of civilization. (Neutral)
6	Glory. I must earn glory in battle, for myself and the Guard (Any)

d6	Bond
1	The Guard is the most important thing in my life, even when they are far from me.
2	An injury to the unspoiled wilderness of my home is an injury to me.
3	I will bring terrible wrath down on the evildoers who destroyed my homeland.
4	I am the last of the Guard, and it is up to me to ensure their names enter legend.
5	I suffer awful visions of a coming disaster and will do anything to prevent it.
6	It is my duty to provide children to sustain the Guard.

d6	Flaw
1	I am too enamored of ale, wine, and other intoxicants.
2	There’s no room for caution in a life lived to the fullest.
3	I remember every insult I’ve received and nurse a silent resentment toward anyone who’s ever wronged me.
4	I am slow to trust members of other races, tribes, and societies.
5	Violence is my answer to almost any challenge.
6	Don’t expect me to save those who can’t save themselves. It is nature’s way that the strong thrive and the weak perish.