Some gladiators relish the thrill of the coliseum. They see themselves as much an entertainer as a fighter. They have been trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can enjoy. You are not one of those clowns. You are a slave, made to fight in the pits, and you know your path to freedom goes through every other man standing in your way. Because of this, you are relentless. You care not for the cheers of the mobs watching you from the safety of the stands. Your goal is to end your fights quickly, hopefully without allowing your opponent to even raise his weapon. You are brutal. You are relentless. You are a gladiator.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choice of two, from athletics, acrobatics, nature, animal handling, insight, perception, survival, intimidation, and deception.
- Equipment: An inexpensive trinket from your homeland, unchained iron manacles affixed to your wrists.
Defining Event
You previously pursued a simple profession among the peasantry, perhaps as a farmer, miner, servant, shepherd, woodcutter, or gravedigger. But something happened that set you on a different path and marked you for greater things. Choose or randomly determine a defining event that marked you as a hero of the people.
| d6 |
Defining Event |
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1
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I stood up to a tyrant and his agents. For my trouble, I was sold into slavery.
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2
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I stole from a corrupt merchant to feed a starving family. I was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to a number of years in the gladiator pits.
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3
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I was a soldier in a foreign army. My unit was captured and the survivors were returned to this land as entertainers.
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4
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I made a bargain with a fey witch. Never bargain with a fey witch.
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5
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I don't remember how I got here, but I continue to search for those answers.
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6
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My father is a loveable fool. He made poor business decisions, and to save him from prison, I volunteered myself in his place.
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Feature: Battle Awareness
Years of fighting have honed your senses and made it difficult for your opponents to get the drop on you. You cannot be surprised, as long as you are not incapacitated or unconscious. Additionally, you have advantage on initiative rolls, and you can take the help action as a bonus action as long as the creature you are helping is within five feet of your location.
Suggested Characteristics
| d8 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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I love a good insult, even one directed at me.
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2
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I judged people by their actions, not their words.
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3
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I have a strong sense of fair play and I won't abide cheaters.
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4
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I am always calm, no matter the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me.
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5
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I am haunted by memories of battle. I rarely sleep well at night.
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6
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My time in the gladiator pits has trained me to stare down a dragon.
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7
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I am slow to trust, but if we have spilled blood together, you are my brother for life.
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8
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The finer things in life make me uncomfortable. Simple food and a bedroll are all I need.
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| d6 |
Ideal |
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1
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Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. (Good)
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2
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Fairness. No one should get preferential treatment before the law, and no one is above the law. (Lawful)
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3
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Freedom. Tyrants must not be allowed to oppress the people. (Chaotic)
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4
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Might. If I become strong, I can take what I want. (Evil)
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5
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Sincerity. There is no good in pretending to be something I am not. (Neutral)
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6
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Destiny. Nothing and no one can steer me away from my higher calling. (Any)
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| d6 |
Bond |
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1
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I idolize a hero of the old tales and measure my deeds against that person’s.
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2
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I have a family, but I have no idea where they are. One day, I hope to see them again.
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3
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I will protect those who cannot protect themselves.
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4
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I would fight to the death for my friends.
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5
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I am the last of my family, my clan, or my tribe. If I die, there will be no one to remain to sing of their deeds.
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6
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The gods of my homeland are a comfort to be so far from home.
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| d6 |
Flaw |
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1
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The man responsible for putting my in the gladiator pits will stop at nothing to see me stay there.
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2
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I have a weakness for the vices of drink and the flesh.
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3
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I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior.
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4
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My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning.
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5
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I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble.
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6
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I'd rather eat my armor than admit I'm wrong.
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