Scout

You have served in a war, but not as a front line fighter. You were sent beyond enemy lines, facing extreme danger, in order to bring back the most valuable commodity in war: intelligence. 

Working as a scout meant a lot of time spent relying on yourself, which might make it difficult for you to trust, or difficult for you to socialize. Most of your time as a scout was spent alone, either hiding, tracking, or watching the movements of enemy armies. You were lightly armed, even more lightly armored, and sent into incredible danger on the hope that you would manage to return without being captured. And potentially tortured.

Now you’re looking for something else, perhaps greater reward for the risks you take, or the freedom to choose your own activities. For whatever reason, you’re leaving behind the life of a scout, but your skills are undeniably valuable, so now you rarely have trouble finding others to adventure with.

 

When you choose this background, work with your DM to determine which military organization you were a part of, how far through its ranks you progressed, and what kind of experiences you had during your military career. Was it a standing army, a town guard, or a village militia? Or it might have been a noble’s or merchant’s private army, or a mercenary company.

Skill Proficiencies: Survival or Stealth, Perception

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

Languages: One additional language

Equipment: A trophy taken from a fallen enemy (a dagger, broken blade, or piece of a banner), a set of bone dice or deck of cards, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp

Suggested Characteristics

The horrors of war are rarely seen more clearly than by a scout. You watch enemy camps, you see the wounded as they are moved. You have seen the suffering. But you have also always remained aloof from others, often to disguise your own loneliness.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me.
2	I’m haunted by memories of war. I can’t get the images of violence out of my mind.
3	I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong.
4	I’m full of inspiring and cautionary tales from my military experience relevant to almost every combat situation.
5	I can stare down a hell hound without flinching.
6	I expect danger around every corner.
7	I have a crude sense of humor.
8	I take my time to assess the full situation before I jump to any conclusions.

d6	Ideal
1	Survival. Where there’s life, there’s hope. If I remain alive and flexible, I can succeed. (Any)
2	I like to know my enemy’s capabilities and weaknesses before rushing into battle. (Lawful)
3	Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic)
4	Cunning. Though I may not know their ways, neither do they know mine, which can be to my advantage. (Evil)
5	Live and Let Live. Ideals aren’t worth killing over or going to war for. (Neutral)
6	Suspicious. I must be careful, for I have no way of telling friend from foe here. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	I was captured and tortured. I can't allow others to suffer that same fate.
2	Someone saved my life on the battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind.
3	I will take my secrets to the grave.
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 see things in black white; either you're on my side, or you're the enemy.

d6	Flaw
1	I have a tendency to talk to myself out loud.
2	I turn tail and run when things look bad.
3	I made a terrible mistake in battle that cost many lives—and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret.
4	My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning.
5	I have lingering pain from old injuries.
6	I find civilian life difficult and struggle to say the right thing in social situations.