Sentinels are the military elite of Elven houses, serving as Scouts, Bodyguards, and Companions to High Lords and Ladies. The role of an individual Sentinel changes drastically depending on the race of their liege, for instance, a Sentinel serving a high elf may function as more as a bodyguard and adviser to their Liege, similar to a Knight, while the sentinel of a wood-elven lord may be required to keep tabs on the far reaches of their liege's realm. Whatever their duty, a Sentinel is expected to act honorably as a representative of their Liege. While the title of Sentinel can be inherited, the vast majority of Sentinels are proven Warriors- Heroes in their own right. The path to becoming a sentinel is a difficult one. While it isn't impossible for members of other races to become sentinels, very few non-elf sentinels have been recorded. Adventuring Sentinels are often either on a quest given to them by their Liege or have wronged their Liege in some way and are seeking redemption.
- Skill Proficiencies: Skill Proficiencies: Pick any two: Acrobatics, Stealth, History, or Persuasion
- Tool Proficiencies: Tool Proficiencies: one musical instrument of your choice
- Languages: Languages: Elvish, if you do not know it already. otherwise, one of your choice
- Equipment: Equipment: An emblem depicting your Liege's crest, Fine clothes, a musical instrument of your choice, and a richly embroidered belt pouch containing 10gp
Sentinels are, above all, servants to an Elven noble. Work with your DM to create a noble and their court. this noble sends quests and guidance to their sentinel, and you know how to contact them from wherever you may be. This noble may, from time to time, demand that you serve some duty or complete a quest, and their name may hold some weight in negotiations with other Nobles, Elven or otherwise.
Suggested Characteristics
Your family was once wealthy and powerful, but something caused you to lose everything. What happened? Was it something out of your control, or did you have a part in it? Was your own family to blame? Or perhaps another noble family wanting to take you down? Discuss with your DM what caused your downfall or roll a d6 and choose from the table below.
Personality trait: (examples) You can choose someone who still acts as a noble even though he is not anymore / someone who hides from everyone but his most trusted friends.
Ideal: (example) You are someone sympathetic to the needy because you know what it is like to have nothing.
Bond: (examples) A family helped you after your fall and you are forever grateful to them / You have family who didn't lose their status but who are responsible for the fall of your family, and you have promised yourself to avenge your family.
Flaw: (examples) You feel responsible for the fall of your family (even if you had nothing to do with it) / You will do anything to regain the power you lost / You still act as a noble
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I still demand others to treat me as they would any other noble. |
| 2 | I don’t like getting my hands dirty, and often make others do the dirty work. |
| 3 | I'll tell anybody I'm from a noble family, even random strangers. They have to know! |
| 4 | I can't let anybody but those I trust the most know of my noble birth. |
| 5 | Despite my noble birth, I do not consider myself superior to others. We are all the same in the end. |
| 6 | I strive to make up for my family's horrible behavior in whatever way I can. |
| 7 | I'll be fine even in the simplest conditions. Anything is better than nothing. |
| 8 | Despite my noble birth, I act more like a commoner. |
A fallen noble who, instead of being exiled or executed was made a Sentinel. This kind of Sentinel is often found in the extremities of elven territory, so that people forget about them and they are isolated.
You were once the member of a powerful noble family. Perhaps you were from a well-known merchant family, or you came from a line of wealthy aristocrats. However, due to events beyond your control―or perhaps they were―, you or your family have fallen from grace. Maybe your family was outcast from the kingdom with their property stripped away after one of the family members committed an unforgivable crime, or they were attacked and killed by angry mobs, with you being the sole survivor. Perhaps you were disowned for not following family tradition, or left of your own accord, not wanting to be bound by the fate your parents had set for you. Work with your DM to find out your family's role and how their role and downfall affected the world in your campaign.
Whatever the reasoning, you were of noble birth, yet your family is no longer considered noble. You have been forced to make a new life for yourself and adjust to life without servants at your command and money at your disposal. Will you attempt to reclaim your title or move away from it? Will you shout your true identity from the rooftops hoping someone will believe you, or keep it a secret from everyone but your closest allies for fear of being accused as a liar? It's all up to you.
You know exactly who to talk to in order to find out gossip, hidden secrets, or any other information about various noble families. This information could come from members of the family in question, servants who work for them, other people who either know them personally, or those who may have eavesdropped on their conversations. Not everyone is willing to reveal such private information, though― if the person believes they may be put in a dangerous situation by revealing the information you request, they will not tell you or may even lie to protect themselves.
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