War has been your life for as long as you care to remember. You trained as a youth, studied the use of weapons and armor, learned basic survival techniques, including how to stay alive on the battlefield. You started out as merely a lowly soldier, part of a national army, a mercenary company, or perhaps a member of a local militia who rose to prominence during a recent war, however, your legend has risen since then and now you are a force of martial prowess to be reckoned with like none other. Your legend proceeds you and some doubt whether you need the rest of an army to fight by your side at all. Whether this reputation is truly earned, or exaggerated retellings of your feats have snowballed over the years until your name has surpassed your real self, others view you as the paragon soldier. Your allies rally behind you and your foes tremble! Hopefully you live up to your reputation...
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. What event, service, or process saw your legend build to its tremendous standard? Do you revel in it, or do you shy away from being known as a larger-than-life champion?
- Skill Proficiencies: Either Athletics or Stealth, either Intimidation or Performance, and either Survival or Deception.
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, one instrument or Forgery Kits (variant only), vehicles (land)
- Equipment: An insignia of rank (which may be forged - variant), 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 musical instrument or a Forgery Kit (variant only), a set of common clothes, and either a martial weapon connected to your legend or a pouch containing 5 gp
Legends vary regarding what role you served during your time as a soldier. Roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below to determine the most common version of your legendary service (and consider - is this the truth?):
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | A captured officer who fought their way out of prison and captured the enemy camp |
| 2 | A lone scout who risked everything to sabotage the oncoming army, stalling them and buying victory |
| 3 | The last standing infantryman on the front line, surrounded by enemies but unyielding |
| 4 | The fastest-charging cavalryman, who outstripped the rest and cleared a path in the enemy line to win the day |
| 5 | Talented healer who singlehandedly held the infirmary against the enemy after the lines broke and the camp was overrun |
| 6 | Strict quartermaster who would surrender the camp to no man, fighting doggedly to the last |
| 7 | Fearless standard bearer who kept the banner aloft come hell and high water, rallying the army to victory |
| 8 | Support staff (cook, blacksmith, or the like) who in spite of little martial training found themselves in the fray and won out against all odds |
Tales of your valour precede you. Your legend effects inspiration even amongst soldiers who have never had anything to do with you. Either by invoking your legend, or if you are otherwise recognised, exert influence over any non-royal military figures below the rank of general that believe they share your moral alignment, even if they are a current adversary. Gain advantage on charisma rolls against military personnel. Non-adversary military personnel will fight for you if you are not fighting against a faction or entity they are aligned with.
If you fail a Deception, Intimidation, or Sleight of Hand check or a Charisma saving throw against an allied, friendly, or neutral military personnel or faction that you have previously exerted influence over, that personnel or faction may turn on you and brand you a fraud.
Suggested Characteristics
The horrors of war combined with the rigid discipline of military service leave their mark on all soldiers, shaping their ideals, creating strong bonds, and often leaving them scarred and vulnerable to fear, shame, and hatred. As a legend, was the war worth it? Or perhaps, you are haunted only by your inability to live up to the persona you occupy?
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m always polite and respectful. |
| 2 | I’m haunted by memories of war. I can’t get the images of violence out of my mind. |
| 3 | I’ve lost too many friends, and I’m slow to make new ones. |
| 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 enjoy being strong and like breaking things. |
| 7 | I have a crude sense of humor. |
| 8 | I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others. (Good) |
| 2 | Responsibility. I do what I must and obey just authority. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. In life as in war, the stronger force wins. (Evil) |
| 5 | Live and Let Live. Ideals aren’t worth killing over or going to war for. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Nation. My city, nation, or people are all that matter. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would still lay down my life for the people I served with. |
| 2 | Someone saved my life on the battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind. |
| 3 | My honor is my life. |
| 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 fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still leaves me quivering with fear. |
| 2 | I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior. |
| 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 obey the law, even if the law causes misery. |
| 6 | I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong. |
You are not merely a larger-than-life figure, you are a fraud. You have knowingly built up a legend of your bravery and prowess that follows you wherever you go, often with your aid. You boast of heroic deeds and extraordinary victories, but the reality is they were the feats of others, if they happened at all. Maidens and bachelors fawn over you and drinks are on the house. Soldiers and guards respect you and may even ask for your advice or blessing. You live for the glamour of your legendary life and lifestyle, but is there a nagging internal voice that asks, what if you are found out?
You walk a fine edge pretending to be a great soldier. Other soldiers may have high expectations of your wisdom and abilities, and you will have to live up to them. Gain a proficiency bonus on Deception skill checks if you do not have proficiency in Deception. If you do have proficiency in Deception, gain advantage and a +2 modifier to charisma saving throws and double your proficiency bonus for Deception checks. Gain an additional +2 modifier to Deception when rolling against friendly military faction members.
If you fail a Deception check or a Charisma saving throw against any military personnel, that personnel and their faction becomes an enemy. Gain disadvantage on all combat actions and saving throws against the disillusioned enemy and -2 modifier to Dexterity and Charisma skill checks during that encounter. At level 2, gain disadvantage and an additional -2 modifier to all Dexterity and Charisma rolls against members of the disillusioned faction in every encounter.
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