You are of Noble birth, or your family is one of prestige, however you dislike this way of life and seek to do away with it, or have some other reason to hide your status.
Masquerading as a Commoner, you walk the towns and rivers without drawing attention to yourself. Sometimes, though, events happen that force you to face your heritage, whether you like it or not....
- Skill Proficiencies: History, Persuasion, Deception
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, One type of artisan’s tools
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment: A set of worn clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of pedigree, and a purse containing 25 gp
Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, if you choose to reveal your nobility to them, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to, though doing so would come at the cost of announcing yourself as a noble to the entire local area.
Commoners and some nobles may be convinced you are on a mission of some kind to keep your secret, though those close with your family may know otherwise.
Suggested Characteristics
Nobles are born and raised to a very different lifestyle than most people ever experience, and their personalities reflect that upbringing. A noble title comes with a plethora of bonds—responsibilities to family, to other nobles (including the sovereign), to the people entrusted to the family’s care, or even to the title itself. But this responsibility is often a good way to undermine a noble.
A Hidden Noble may attempt to adapt to a more Common lifestyle, and their personality and experiences may reflect this.
| d7 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | My eloquent flattery makes everyone I talk to feel like the most wonderful and important person in the world. |
| 2 | The common folk love me for my kindness and generosity. |
| 3 | No one could doubt by looking at my regal bearing that I am a cut above the unwashed masses, this is why I must take extra care to keep hidden. |
| 4 | I take great pains to always look my best and follow the latest fashions. |
| 5 | Despite my noble birth, I do not place myself above other folk. We all have the same blood. |
| 6 | My favor, once lost, is lost forever. |
| 7 | If you do me an injury, I will crush you, ruin your name, and salt your fields. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. Respect is due to me because of my position, but all people regardless of station deserve to be treated with dignity. (Good) |
| 2 | Responsibility. It is my duty to respect the authority of those above me, just as those below me must respect mine. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Independence. I must prove that I can handle myself without the coddling of my family. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. If I can attain more power, no one will tell me what to do. (Evil) |
| 5 | Noble Obligation. It is my duty to protect and care for the people beneath me. (Good) |
| 6 | The best leaders must see the world from the lowest branch. To see as the Commoner does, means I can bring in changes to their world. |
| d7 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I will face any challenge to win the approval of my family. |
| 2 | My house’s alliance with another noble family must be sustained at all costs. |
| 3 | Nothing is more important than the other members of my family. |
| 4 | I am in love with the heir of a family that my family despises. |
| 5 | My loyalty to my sovereign is unwavering. |
| 6 | The common folk must see me as a hero of the people. |
| 7 | I dislike my family and all they stand for. I seek to wash my hands of their deeds. |
| d7 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I secretly believe that everyone is beneath me. |
| 2 | I hide a truly scandalous secret that could ruin my family forever. |
| 3 | I too often hear veiled insults and threats in every word addressed to me, and I’m quick to anger. |
| 4 | I have an insatiable desire for carnal pleasures. |
| 5 | In fact, the world does revolve around me. |
| 6 | By my words and actions, I often bring shame to my family. |
| 7 | I found the Common life to be better than the Elite's. This realization vexes me. |
You have the service of three retainers loyal to your family. These retainers can be attendants or messengers, and one might be a majordomo. Your retainers are commoners who can perform mundane tasks for you, but they do not fight for you, will not follow you into obviously dangerous areas (such as dungeons), and will leave if they are frequently endangered or abused.
In addition, you can have a fourth retainer that is loyal to you alone-Perhaps a close friend or a Servant you are close with. They will be able to send messages that others of your family may never see, or operate with only your knowledge of their whereabouts. They could also fight with you, if armed, however they may back out if it is a situation that they believe they cannot handle.
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