Grey Warden

“You will guard them and they will hate you for it. Whenever there is not a Blight actively crawling over the surface, humanity will do its best to forget how much they need you. And that's good. We need to stand apart from them, even if they have to push us away to make us do it. That is the only way we can ever make the hard decisions.”

―Kristoff, Commander of the Grey of Orlais during the Blessed Age

The Grey Wardens are open to men and women from every race, nation and background, even criminals. They also accept volunteers, and elves, in particular, tend to be eager to submit themselves for the Grey Wardens, as they recruit regardless of social standing and serving is considered by many an honour.

The Grey Wardens don't accept just anyone within their ranks, however. Only the best and brightest are allowed. Recruits suffer excruciating tests to determine if they are worthy of being members of the Order. In addition, the fact that the Joining ritual kills many of its participants means that the draft may turn out to be a death sentence. While this is seen as unfortunate, this process elevates their membership to the highest calibre. To face a Grey Warden in combat is to face an elite and deadly opponent.

Whether you were a commoner, knight, or a conscripted mage, however you were brought into the Grey Wardens, you have your story to tell. 

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Acrobatics, or Stealth, and Arcana, Investigation, Animal Handling, Perception, or Survival.

Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, vehicles (land)

Equipment: A set of Grey Warden armour and a weapon, a set of bone dice or deck of cards, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Broadly speaking, Wardens tend to be responsible individuals with a strong sense of will. Most outsiders believe the Grey Wardens must truly hate darkspawn to dedicate their lives to fighting them, but in fact, a personal hatred of the darkspawn can be detrimental to a Warden’s effectiveness if it leads them to make rash decisions to serve some irrational and deep-seated hostility. In fact, many Grey Wardens see their first darkspawn only after becoming initiates of the order.

When you play a Grey Warden, consider your hero’s background, the circumstances of their initiation, and what being a Warden means to them.

d8	Personality Trait
1	When someone is in trouble, I'll help where I can.
2	I judge people by what they do, not what they say.
3	I've lost friends to war and I'm slow to make new ones.
4	I consider violence as a last resort.
5	I can stare down a Darkspawn without flinching.
6	I am detached towards violence.
7	I have a crude sense of humor.
8	I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success.

d6	Ideal
1	Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others. (Good)
2	Responsibility. I do what I must and obey just authority. (Lawful)
3	Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic)
4	Might. In life as in war, the stronger force wins. (Evil)
5	Live and Let Live. Ideals aren’t worth killing over or going to war for. (Neutral)
6	Nation. My city, nation, or people are all that matter. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	I would still lay down my life for the people I served with.
2	My only bond is to the steel in my sword.
3	My only kin are those of the Grey Wardens.
4	Civilisation is a beacon in the night that must remain burning.
5	The bonds created by those who fight by your side are unbreakable, and they last forever.
6	I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

d6	Flaw
1	I have a weakness for those who show me kindness.
2	I have no respect nobles and those who choose not to fight for a greater good.
3	Sometimes I walk into danger - hoping it would end it all there and then.
4	My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning.
5	I pay heed the law, even when the law creates misery.
6	There's nothing I wouldn't do to be a normal person again.