
What does one do when a life of wealth, fortune and prosperity becomes boring? What do you do when you've done everything your family title has to offer? What good is gold if you cannot find something more worthwhile to do with it it? You are a being that comes from money, your family knows no grand expense and doesn't shy away from gross extravagance in the name of flair. However, you've become tired of the same thing every day and have sought to expand your horizons in the great unknown.
Work with your DM to come up with an appropriate title and determine how much authority that title carries. A noble title doesn’t stand on its own—it’s connected to an entire family, and whatever title you hold, you will pass it down to your own children. Not only do you need to determine your noble title, but you should also work with the DM to describe your family and their influence on you.
Is your family old and established, or was your title only recently bestowed? How much influence do they wield, and over what area? What kind of reputation does your family have among the other aristocrats of the region? How do the common people regard them?
What’s your position in the family? Are you the heir to the head of the family? Have you already inherited the title? How do you feel about that responsibility? Or are you so far down the line of inheritance that no one cares what you do, as long as you don’t embarrass the family? How does the head of your family feel about your adventuring career? Are you in your family’s good graces, or shunned by the rest of your family?
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, Insight
- Tool Proficiencies: Forgery Kit
- Languages: Up to two languages besides common
- Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of pedigree, and a purse containing 25 gp
Thanks to your noble birth, you find that the display of your title and anything related to your family can help change how others view you for the better... or worse. You are welcomed into high society but others with unsavory backgrounds might look upon you as an easy meal ticket or worse. You can use this influence to commune with other noble families in the form of audiences.
Suggested Characteristics
Nobles are born and raised to a very different lifestyle than most people ever experience, and their personalities reflect that upbringing. A noble title comes with a plethora of bonds—responsibilities to family, to other nobles (including the sovereign), 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 noble.
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 | I take great pains to always look my best and follow the latest fashions. |
5 | I don’t like to get my hands dirty, and I won’t be caught dead in unsuitable accommodations. |
6 | Despite my noble birth, I do not place myself above other folk. We all have the same blood. |
7 | My favor, once lost, is lost forever. |
8 | If you do me an injury, I will crush you, ruin your name, and salt your fields. |
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. |
d6 | 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. |
A disowned noble is a shamed noble. While the name is still held the honor is almost all gone and therefore carries no merit. Disowned nobles almost always look for a way to get back into their family's good graces so that they can return to their privileged lifestyle at all costs necessary.
While they are no longer accepted by their family, they are still able to speak to other members of high society although they are more likely to be the eye of scrutiny and the butt of every joke around them.
If your character has a noble background, you may select this background feature instead of Position of Privilege.
You have the service of three retainers loyal to your family (And most importantly to YOU). These retainers can be attendants or messengers, and one might be a majordomo. Your retainers are commoners 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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