Runaway Noble

You are familiar with wealth and status. You once carried a noble title, and your family still owns land, collects taxes, and wields significant political influence. Something in your past caused you to run from your family. Be it a banishment, voluntary exile to protect your family, or another reason, you no longer reap the rewards of your family's name. If your family still holds status and your relationship with them is still favorable, perhaps they send you gifts in hopes that you return safely. Alternatively, perhaps you were forced into exile and your family has stripped everything from you, including your name and rank.

Work with your DM to come up with an appropriate title and determine how much authority that title carries or carried. 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. Also work out the details of your reason for running away, and the impact that may have on your family, your house, your country, or even the world itself.

Is your exile one that is barely spoken of and whispered only in rumors? Was your running away the talk of the town for weeks, fueling the gossip in taverns and inns? Was your banishment handled by the sovereign or by the head of your house? When you ran away, what state did you leave your house in? Is your family on the verge of collapse? Or are they even better off without you around?

What was 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? To what lengths will you go to restore your position? How does the head of your family feel about your absence?

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? If so, do you still wear them or shun your house and blame them for your predicament? How does your family feel about your use of their coat of arms, colors, or insignia? Are their punishments for using your family's name and status without the proper authority?

These details help establish your family and your title as features of the world of the campaign.

Skill Proficiencies: History or Arcana, Persuasion or Intimidation, Athletics or Acrobatics

Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, vehicles (land)

Languages: One of your choice

Equipment: An old set of fine clothes that are worn and barely fit, a signet ring, and a purse containing the only coin you could grab from your house before you ran (25 gp)

Suggested Characteristics

Nobles are born and raised to a very different lifestyle than most people ever experience, and their personalities reflect that upbringing. However, choosing or being forced to abandon that lifestyle can have a lasting effect, for good or ill. Your personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws should reflect the struggle you went through when leaving your family.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I often talk wistfully about my house and how I long to return some day.
2	As soon as I left, I hardened myself to the realities of the world, becoming cold and bitter.
3	I still carry myself with dignity and poise, reminding everyone around me that I am still of noble birth.
4	I constantly write home to a few family members that still desire to keep in contact with me.
5	I have come to expect a certain level of decorum around me and will chastise those who are impolite or rude.
6	I do not hold myself any higher than others, regardless of where I come from. We are all equal.
7	If you hurt me or mine, I will not stop hunting you until you are dead or worse.
8	I have lost my friends and family, and this sadness follows me wherever I go.

d6	Ideal
1	Respect. Respect is still due to me because of my birthright, but all people regardless of station deserve to be treated with dignity. (Good)
2	Responsibility. One day I will return home to face my family, whether I return victorious or in chains. (Lawful)
3	Independence. I will do everything in my power to remain free of the bondage of my house. (Chaotic)
4	Power. I will crush my family into dust and from their ashes I will raise a new, stronger house. (Evil)
5	Family. Nothing is more important than helping my family in any way I can. (Any)
6	Noble Reclamation. For the good of my family, the realm, or even the world, I must restore my family's good name. (Good)

d6	Bond
1	I will face any test to win back the approval of my family.
2	My house’s alliance with another noble family must be rebuilt at all costs.
3	I love my family more than anything, and I have sacrificed my lifestyle to protect them.
4	I had a romantic tryst with the heir of a family that my family despises. I love them still, and am constantly torn between them and my family.
5	Despite my circumstances, my loyalty to my sovereign is unwavering, and I will serve with or without my house.
6	With my fall from my house, I have become an icon of the common people.

d6	Flaw
1	I have lost everything and my broken pride makes me hesitant to accept help.
2	I hide a truly scandalous secret that could ruin my family forever.
3	I will leap to defend my family's name, with often violent results.
4	I cannot control certain urges that have earned me my family's ire.
5	I am oblivious to anything that does not involve me.
6	I have brought shame to my family, and I continue to do so with nearly every word I say.