War has been your life for as long as you care to remember, but you weren't any ordinary soldier. You wanted to do your part (or perhaps you were forced to) but you didn't have the build or the skill set for a normal job. Your weapon was your mind, and your general utilized it well. Rather than simply wield a weapon, you were given command of a set of men, and given a job. Perhaps it was to build up fortifications at unparalleled efficiency, or massive weapons that took tens of men to operate. Perhaps it was just to keep the rest of the soldiers' gear in shape in the midst of battle.
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.
- Skill Proficiencies:
- Tool Proficiencies: Tinkerer's Tools, and whatever set of tools you worked with in the field.
- Equipment: Memorabilia from the field, a set of tools, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Every Engineer has a different role to play in the functioning of an army. This role highlighted and refined your greatest skills, and molded your view of war. Roll a d6 or choose from the options in the table below to determine your role:
| d6 | Area of Expertise |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fortification Specialist |
| 2 | Trap-Layer |
| 3 | Field Weapon Repairman |
| 4 | Siege Engineer |
| 5 | Large Weapon Operator |
| 6 | Military Inventor |
You worked your craft under the pressures of war, honing it far beyond what normal craftsmen can achieve. You are trained in the area you worked, particularly in the manufacturing and operating of any equipment you dealt with. You and the DM work together to determine what bonuses you receive based on your "Area of Expertise" (advantage on roles, +2 to insight, tinkering, or perception checks, etc.). As well, battlefields are the birthplaces of camaraderie, many of the men you fought with will recognize you, and take you for the coward you were.
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.
| 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. |
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