Fighting for survival, for gold, for glory, it’s all the same to you. Whether it be in the streets of a secluded village for enough coin to rent a bed for the night or in the cellars of a noble as entertainment for his privileged associates or in the grandest coliseum for the screams of the crowds and the admiration of royal maids, you fight to win, for to lose means death. Or worse-gimic matches.
When you choose this background, decide how you came into this line of work. Were you given the choice between a lifetime in prison or a few years in the arena? Were you sold as a child to a gladiators troop to cover your father’s debts? Or are you just a glory hound willing to risk your life for the cheers of the crowd?
- Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Performance
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, vehicles (land)
- Equipment: A token from a favored fan or a trophy taken from a fallen opponent (a dagger, broken blade, or piece of a banner), a set of bone dice or deck of cards, a set of common clothes, a [item], and a pouch containing 10 gp
During your time as a gladiator, you specialized in a certain type of competition. When you perform now, this is what the people look for. They might cheer when you do something else. But the go crazy when you participate in your favorite event. Roll at random or pick one you like:
| d6 | Specialtist |
|---|---|
| 1 | One-on-One |
| 2 | Fighting Pairs |
| 3 | Team Battles |
| 4 | Chariot Racer |
| 5 | Re-enactments |
| 6 | Beast Slayer |
People know who you are. Whether you’re the brave warrior who faced down the raging Minotaur or you’re the raging Minotaur that beat down the brave warrior, people know your name and reputation. If you’re a crowd favorite, you might get free room and board at the baron’s mansion where his innocent daughter might lose that innocence in your bed. If you’re hated by the common man, you might get free room and board at the bookie’s club where his fun-loving barmaids might entertain you for the night.
Suggested Characteristics
You spend your life fighting and killing for the entertainment of the masses and the admiration of royalty. Are glory and fame a fair price for freedom?
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am quiet and reserved. I do my talking on the field of combat. |
| 2 | I’ve slain opponents that I knew nothing about. And I’ve watched as close friends died at the hands of strangers. These senseless deaths haunt me to this day. |
| 3 | Friends are like treasures shown to strangers. Sooner or later, someone is going to take them from you. |
| 4 | There is nothing I can find in a fight out here that I haven’t already witnessed—and defeated—in the arena. |
| 5 | I’ve seen worse. |
| 6 | If you can’t be the strongest, be the fastest. |
| 7 | My dark humor was sometimes the only thing that kept me sane. |
| 8 | Keep it simple, stupid. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Choice. No child should be sold to a stable just to settle her parents’ debts. (Good) |
| 2 | Commitment. I was bound to a life in the arena as part of a legal contract. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Glory. I fight for the scream of the crowd and the admiration of nobles. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Ruthlessness. If you wish to live in luxury, you must kill with impunity. (Evil) |
| 5 | Rules. I kill not for glory or fame but at the command of king and crowd. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Stable. My stablemates are my family. No one else matters. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’d rather die a glorious death than live a boring life. |
| 2 | An opponent spared my life in the arena. Death should never be the only alternative to victory. |
| 3 | My honor is my life. |
| 4 | I’ll never forget the crushing defeat my stable suffered or the enemies who dealt it. |
| 5 | Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for. |
| 6 | I fought for glory. I live for freedom. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The monster I fell to in the arena still leaves me quivering with fear. |
| 2 | I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior. |
| 3 | I threw a fight in the arena and it cost a stablemate her life. I would do anything to keep that sin a secret. |
| 4 | I fight to the death. Anything less does not bring me glory. |
| 5 | If the king says you must die, then die you shall. |
| 6 | I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong. |
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