You understand wealth, power, and privilege. You carry a royal title, and your family owns land, collects taxes, and wields significant political influence. You have earned your title through blood and wisdom, and Have come to rule your Clan. You could despotic, and uncaring about the needs of your clansmen, or a Compassionate and Wise Clan-Head, who listens to and understands the needs of his/her people. Or you could be a Warmonger, who only seeks to expand the Influence and Control your clan has over others.
Work with your DM to come up with an appropriate clan and determine how much authority that Clan possesses. The Patriarch Title doesn’t stand on its own—it’s connected to an entire Clan, and whatever title you hold, you will pass it down to your own most mentally and physically fit children. Not only do you need to determine your noble Influence, but you should also work with the DM to describe your family and their influence on you.
Does your family have a coat of arms? An insignia you might wear on a signet ring? Particular colors you wear all the time? An animal you regard as a symbol of your line or even a spiritual member of the family?
These details help establish your family and your title as features of the world of the campaign.
- Skill Proficiencies: History, Persuasion,Religion
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set
- Languages: Four of your choice
- Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of pedigree, and a purse containing 150 gp
Thanks to your Noble Rank, 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, 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. You may even call upon the local Royalty for Assistance.
Spell List
Charm Person, Animal Friendship, Calm Emotion, Animal Messenger.
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 1st | animal friendship, charm person |
| 2nd | animal messenger, calm emotions |
Suggested Characteristics
Nobles are born and raised to a very different lifestyle than most people ever experience, and their personalities reflect that upbringing. A Sovereign title comes with a plethora of bonds—responsibilities to family, to nobles (including other Patriarchs), 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 Patriarch.
| d8 | 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. |
| 4 | Despite my noble birth, I do not place myself above other folk. We all have the same blood. |
| 5 | My favor, once lost, is lost forever. |
| 6 | If you do me an injury, I will crush you, ruin your name, and salt your fields. |
| 7 | I care nothing for my clan, and only seek to gain power and prestige |
| 8 | I seek only the finest, and most expensive goods |
| 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 | Family. Blood runs thicker than water. (Any) |
| 6 | Noble Obligation. It is my duty to protect and care for the people beneath me. (Good) |
| d6 | 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. |
| 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 constantly seek to prove myself to my family and those around me. I am Worthy of the title of Patriarch |
A Matriarch is considered to be the spiritual head of a clan, as well as it's warrior heart. If you wish to be a Matriarch, choose the Retainers feature (see the sidebar) instead of the Position of Privilege feature. One of your commoner retainers is replaced by a noble who serves as your squire, aiding you in exchange for training on his or her own path to Patriarchy. Your two remaining retainers might include a groom to care for your horse and a servant who polishes your armor (and even helps you put it on).
As an emblem of Wisdom and the ideals of Chastity, and Courage, you might include among your equipment a banner or other token from a Temple or Priestly Order to whom you have given your devotion - in a spiritual way. (This Organization could be your bond.)
If your character has a noble background, you may select this background feature instead of Position of Privilege.
You have the service of three Sages loyal to your family. These Sages can be Research Associates or Messengers, and one might be a Cleric. Your retainers are Priests and Wizards 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
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