Born to a family of wealth and influence, you have branded yourself the black sheep. The family would like nothing more than for the wayward to return to the flock, but you just can't seem to make approved decisions. Nonetheless, your demeanor and manners reflect what you were taught in youth. This encompasses everything from proper speech to a tutored education. You also bear many self-taught mannerisms learned in your adolescence, dodging lessons to cavort about the woods or wander the city. Perhaps you committed some petty crimes, dallied with those of ill-repute, or embarrassed the family at prestigious events. Whatever the case, through your foolish and errant behaviors, your family has withdrawn support, though were you to straighten up and stop besmirching their name, they would likely welcome you back.
Work with your DM to come up with an appropriate family history and determine how much authority their title carries. A noble title doesn’t stand on its own—it’s connected to an entire family, and you have not upheld that name.
Is your family old and established, or was the 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?
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: One of History, Religion, or Arcana, and one of Survival, Nature, or Deception. These represent one skill learned from childhood lessons, and the other from you early rebellions.
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan's tools, or thieves' tools. Many families have a legacy of knowledge to pass on, but many times the wilds or streets can teach one a craft as well.
- Languages: One of your choice. Again, this could as easily be from youth lessons as it could be something you picked up cavorting about while avoiding those lessons.
- Equipment: A set of common clothes, a signet ring, a letter from your family, and a purse containing 15 gp
Thanks to your lessons in etiquette, you mingle passably with the upper echelons of society and you know how to carry yourself at fine functions.You also know the bywords of the less savory folk in the city and the wilds, and can often talk to them in a language they understand. However, you do neither of these perfectly. Sometimes you use improper slang among the wealthy, and at times your haughty accent betrays your origins to those from the underbelly of life.
Suggested Characteristics
Nobles are born and raised to a very different lifestyle than most people ever experience, and their personalities reflect that upbringing. You carry that core from your childhood, but it has been blended thoroughly with a version of honor among thieves or perhaps a desire for the rugged individuality of the natural world.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can’t do it. |
| 2 | I’m always picking things up, absently fiddling with them, and sometimes accidentally breaking them. |
| 3 | No one could doubt by looking at my regal bearing that I am a cut above the unwashed masses. |
| 4 | I’m confident in my own abilities and do what I can to instill confidence in others. |
| 5 | When I set my mind to something, I follow through no matter what gets in my way. |
| 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 | Redemption. There’s a spark of good in everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Logic. Emotions must not cloud our sense of what is right and true, or our logical thinking. (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 | Self-Knowledge. If you know yourself, there’s nothing left to know. (Any) |
| 6 | Inquisitive. Everything is new, but I have a thirst to learn. (Neutral) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I will face any challenge to win the approval of my family. |
| 2 | I fleeced the wrong person and must work to ensure that this individual never crosses paths with me or those I care about. |
| 3 | My whole family was brought shame and lost status because of a mistake I made. That will never happen again. |
| 4 | My town or city is my home, and I’ll fight to defend it. |
| 5 | I’m loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I care. |
| 6 | It is the duty of the priveleged to aid the less fortunate. |
| 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. |
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