GH - Clan Member (Raider)

This is an advanced background. These advanced backgrounds are a tool for giving some added flavor, flexibility, and power to a normal background. These are meant to provide deeper immersion into the setting as well. Unlike regular backgrounds, advanced backgrounds allow characters to advance in their chosen background as they also advance in their class. It’s suggested that if one character uses advanced backgrounds, all should. This helps maintain both a roleplaying and a power balance between all the characters in the party.

The major kingdoms of Etharis are far from the only bastions of culture to stand against the current darkness. From the frozen north to the Gulf of Lions, numerous tribes have chosen to keep to their traditional lifestyle, living in harmony with the spirits of the wild. Where hunting and gathering aren’t sufficient to support their population, many have turned to raiding the more “civilized” regions. This has garnered the tribes a reputation as barbarians and savages, but this ignores a rich history and a deep, abiding respect for nature. Clan members are generally more at home traveling through the wilds than their urban counterparts. Their close ties with nature and the spirits of the wild also gives them a unique perspective on many problems, and they are less quick to condemn things they are unfamiliar with. Those that leave the tribe often make good guides, trackers, and mercenaries

You have been trained as a warrior with the specific aim of raiding other clans or settlements. Raiding parties must be able to move quickly, strike hard, and carry off enough goods to help support the tribe. The coordination to do all this requires intense training and forges a strong sense of comradery between raiders. Part of this comradery involves a strong sense of competition, each raider vying to perform daring acts or to carry back the best loot. The aftermath of a raid often involves raucous singing, drinking, and revelry, an adrenaline high buoyed by the plentiful food and drink obtained from the raided settlement.

 

Rank 1 – Shield Bearer

You are a junior warrior, serving as support for more senior members of the raiding party. Your tasks involve maintaining weapons and armor, tending to wounded warriors, and carrying loot from the raiding site. Should members of the raiding party be unable to fight, you may be called upon to take their place.

Holdings

• Lodging with other warriors.
• An ailing mentor and knowledge of a particularly rich target for raiding.

Progression

Take the place of a missing raider and prove yourself in combat

 

Rank 2 – Pillager

As a full member of the raiding party, you are trained to strike hard and fast, then escape with whatever loot you can find. Common tactics involve sowing confusion by setting fires or releasing livestock, or drawing the attention of the defenders to allow for easier plunder elsewhere. Your tribe depends on you as a main source of food and supplies, and your comrades depend on you to watch their backs in the chaos of a raid.

Holdings

• A younger warrior assigned to maintain your equipment and carry your loot.
• Your pick of the goods seized on raids, in order of seniority.

Progression

Perform deeds of notable bravery and be promoted by a warlord or chieftain.

 

Rank 3 – Raid Leader

Through a number of raids you have proven yourself cunning, ruthless, and skilled at combat. As a raid leader you are tasked with not only gathering as much as you can from your targets, but ensuring that your warriors return alive. Your underlings look to you for the tactics to use during the raid, and you must reign in the more reckless raiders lest they go too far.

Holdings

• A fine dwelling within the village, showcasing trophies from prior raids.
• Command over a raiding party and a voice at any war council.
• First pick of any goods seized during a raid.

Progression

Save a chieftain’s life or defeat a sworn enemy of the tribe in single combat.

 

Rank 4 – Warlord

Your deeds are legendary. When you speak, chieftains listen, and you direct policy as much as raiding. More to the point, you are the one who decides where and when to raid and how the military might of the clan will be brought to bear

Holdings

• Authority over at least three raiding parties within your tribe.
• Access to war councils and peace negotiations.
• The ability to requisition goods and recruit new raiders.

Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation, Choose one from Athletics, History, Nature, Perception, Religion, or Survival.

Tool Proficiencies: Choose one tool proficiency.

Languages: Choose one standard language.

Equipment: Basic clothing, a basket, a hatchet, 10gp, a tankard, a sack, a whetstone, and several torches.

Suggested Characteristics

None.