Defending what you must has always been part of you. You trained in your youth, and studied the use of armor and heavy weaponry. But, due to your great skills and potential, you were to be trained to be a guardian of a certain noble. You might have been guarding a rich noble, or perhaps a member of a royal family
When you choose this background, work with your DM to determine which and what kind of experiences you had during your career. Was it a noble, rich merchant, a king or queen? Or maybe you are the single personal guard of an important political figure?
- Skill Proficiencies: You may gain Athletics or Intimidation then Insight or Investigation
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, vehicles (land)
- Equipment: An silver insignia signifying your rank, a set of Half Mail Armor or Martial Melee Weapon, and a silk pouch containing 20 gp
Choose one Martial Melee weapon in which you have proficiency. You gain expertise with that weapon, which means your proficiency bonus is doubled for any attack check you make with it. The weapon you choose is the only thing (including skills) you can ever have expertise with, and you cannot gain new weapon proficiencies other than your base ones.
Also, unless the weapon is heavier than double your Constitution, this weapon you have expertise with will not give disadvantage because of weight and is throwable for 1d8 piercing damage.
You can also usually gain access to friendly encampments and fortresses where your rank as a high guard is recognized.
Suggested Characteristics
The difficulty of the training combined with the harsh discipline often imparted by nobles scare off anyone not truly prepared, and they then begin the real training.
They go on to continue this training for 3 years, until just one remains. At this point… are they the same person they were 5 years ago?
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m always polite and respectful. |
| 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 combat situation. |
| 4 | I can stare down a hell hound without flinching. |
| 5 | I have a crude sense of humor. |
| 6 | 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 | Someone saved my life on the battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind. |
| 3 | My honor is my life. |
| 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. |
| d5 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior. |
| 2 | I made a terrible mistake in battle that cost many lives—and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret. |
| 3 | My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning. |
| 4 | I obey the law, even if the law causes misery. |
| 5 | I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong. |