Years of your life have been stolen by the local lord. However you were raised, you weren't rich or influential enough to avoid being conscripted into the local lord's army to flight his or her battles. You might have fought in a righteous war of independence or perhaps a political war of retribution or anything in between. Several years of your life passed with no options but fight or die.
- Skill Proficiencies: Athletics
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set
- Equipment: A weathered longsword, one item looted from a battlefield (i.e., a dagger, broken blade, or piece of a banner), a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 5 gp.
The War
What kind of war did you fight in? Was your lord benevolent or a tyrant? You can work with your DM to determine the exact war you fought in and for which side you fought, or you can choose or roll on the table below to determine the type of war in which you fought.
| d8 |
The War |
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1
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My people were oppressed and under the banner of a new lord, I fought to free them.
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2
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My local lord wanted revenge against a political opponent, which I helped exact.
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3
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My liege launched a religious war against infidels; though our cause was just, I'm not sure we did the right thing.
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4
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Our lands were stolen from us generations ago, so my lord led us to steal them back.
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5
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A rival nation led an assault on our land, so I followed my lord into defending our home.
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6
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Our crops refused to grow, and the dark magics of a nearby people were behind it. My lord led us to remove this blight from our lands.
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7
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Our people were prospering. The riches we brought our lord as taxes made him hungry for more... so he made us take it.
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8
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No one really knows why we fought. Some speak of treachery and political machinations, but I know little of these matters.
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Feature: Pressed Into Service
Try as you might, you'll never forget the feeling of a weapon in your hands. Choose from the following: battleaxe, longsword, pike, shortsword, or longbow. You are proficient with this weapon.
Suggested Characteristics
Every war leaves its mark on those who fought in it, shaping their attitudes and ideals for the foreseeable future. While the bonds of brothers-and-sisters-in-arms are thicker than most family bonds, some conscripts choose instead to try to pretend the war and all its atrocities never even happened.
| d8 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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I'm quieter and humbler than I should be.
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2
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I am spiteful and take it out on those closest to me.
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3
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I am jovial and eternally grateful to be alive.
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4
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I've watched too many friends die and I couldn't stand to lose another.
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5
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I often resort to gallows humor when afraid.
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6
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I've come close to death too many times and I'm hesitant to let it happen again.
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7
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I know death will come when it comes and I'm just going to live life to the fullest until then.
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8
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I am quick to follow orders, especially from those with authority.
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| d6 |
Ideal |
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1
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Freedom. I fought for it once and will gladly do so again if I need to. (Chaotic)
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2
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Faith. I promised myself to a deity if only they would keep me alive through the war. Well, here I am. (Any)
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3
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Authority. I pledged my life to my lord and though my service is over, my deference is not. (Lawful)
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4
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Strength. The only thing keeping me alive is strength and might. (Evil)
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5
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Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down or lives in defense of others. (Good)
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6
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Live and Let Live. There has been enough death in this world caused by pointless bickering. (Neutral)
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| d6 |
Bond |
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1
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I pledged my life to my liege. I still live.
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2
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I would die any day for those who stand beside me in battle.
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3
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My homeland and its people are all the reason I need to pick up arms.
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4
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My unit commander was one of the best people I've ever known. I'd do anything for them.
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5
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I was ripped from my family when I was pressed into service and I'm still looking for them.
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6
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I'll never be able to look past the atrocities committed by those I fought against.
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| d6 |
Flaw |
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1
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Hard drinks are all that got me through the war, and I'll be damned if it won't get me through this, too.
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2
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I often fall in line behind an authority figure without even realizing I'm doing it.
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3
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The horrors of war still visit me every time I close my eyes; can you blame me for being a bit on edge?
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4
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I'm quick to spend my gold on comforts. After all, I might be dead tomorrow.
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5
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Try as I might, I just can't respect the opinions of someone who hasn't been through what I have.
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6
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I believe I'm impossible to kill! If the war couldn't get me, how could anything else?
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