You understand wealth, power, and privilege - albeit from a third person perspective. You do not carry a noble title or own land. You do not collect taxes, nor do you wield significant political influence. However, you are in the employ of someone who does. Your master might be a pampered aristocrat unfamiliar with work or discomfort, a former merchant just elevated to the nobility, or a disinherited scoundrel with a disproportionate sense of entitlement. They could be an honest, hard-working landowner who cares deeply about the people in their employ, and treat you as just another member of the family.
Decide how you came to be under your master's employ. Do you come from a family line just as old as your master's, pledged to service for as long as both lines exist? Were you taken in off the streets, given a second chance at life in return for your respectful subservience? Or are you yourself a noble, yet from a fallen and disgraced lineage, now made to call master those you once called peers?
What kind of freedoms can you expect working for your employer? Is your master controlling, demanding everything be done a certain way and as quick as possible? Are you allowed to enjoy a life of your own outside of the family, as long as all tasks are performed to the best of your ability? Are you treated as blood relative, enjoying many (not all) of the same luxuries inside the home?
What is your position on staff? Are you employed as a butler, answering to the matriarch/patriarch, and acting in a managerial role for the other staff? Are you a humble servant, employed to keep the home clean, and perform various housekeeping tasks? Are you an educator or instructor, whose job it is to teach the young masters how to be proper gentlemen/ladies? Are you the family's sole staff member, performing all required duties equally?
How do you distinguish yourself as a retainer for your master's family (or do you at all)? Are all servants given matching outfits, embroidered with their name? Do you wear the same signet ring as members of the immediate family? Is each servant given a unique curio, personalized according to position or previous life? Is the symbol more esoteric - a tattoo using inks unique to the family line, or a ritual that alters your appearance slightly from the general public?
These can details help develop not just your own character, but can provide more information about your employer's family, establishing them as features of the world of the campaign.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among History, Insight, Intimidation, or Persuasion
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a signet ring for the noble family you serve or a token of your service (create one or choose an appropriate trinket from the table in Chapter 5), and a pouch or wallet containing your monthly salary of 10 gp
As a servant to a noble family, you walk a line between two worlds. To nobles and those in high society, you are considered an essential part of their everyday lives - if for no other reason than you perform tasks they consider below them. You are, for the most part, shown respect as long as you make a point to show the proper respect in return. To the common folk, you are seen as an inspiration to many - living closer to nobility than they can ever hope to achieve, and are shown respect as a result.
This respect can be shown in many forms, ranging from invitations to stately events and small favors, to assistance with menial tasks or the giving of basic provisions. Your DM may rule that some things are offered at a discounted rate - nobles aren't known for giving away possessions, and the common folk need to make a living as well.
Suggested Characteristics
Use the tables for the noble background below as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to suit your identity as servant of a noble family.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | My eloquent flattery makes everyone I talk to feel like the most wonderful and important person in the world. |
| 2 | The common folk love me for my kindness and generosity. |
| 3 | No one could doubt by looking at my regal bearing that I am a cut above the unwashed masses. |
| 4 | I take great pains to always look my best and follow the latest fashions. |
| 5 | I don’t like to get my hands dirty, and I won’t be caught dead in unsuitable accommodations. |
| 6 | Despite my noble birth, I do not place myself above other folk. We all have the same blood. |
| 7 | My favor, once lost, is lost forever. |
| 8 | If you do me an injury, I will crush you, ruin your name, and salt your fields. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. Respect is due to me because of my position, but all people regardless of station deserve to be treated with dignity. (Good) |
| 2 | Responsibility. It is my duty to respect the authority of those above me, just as those below me must respect mine. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Independence. I must prove that I can handle myself without the coddling of my family. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. If I can attain more power, no one will tell me what to do. (Evil) |
| 5 | Family. Blood runs thicker than water. (Any) |
| 6 | Noble Obligation. It is my duty to protect and care for the people beneath me. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I will face any challenge to win the approval of my family. |
| 2 | My house’s alliance with another noble family must be sustained at all costs. |
| 3 | Nothing is more important than the other members of my family. |
| 4 | I am in love with the heir of a family that my family despises. |
| 5 | My loyalty to my sovereign is unwavering. |
| 6 | The common folk must see me as a hero of the people. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I secretly believe that everyone is beneath me. |
| 2 | I hide a truly scandalous secret that could ruin my family forever. |
| 3 | I too often hear veiled insults and threats in every word addressed to me, and I’m quick to anger. |
| 4 | I have an insatiable desire for carnal pleasures. |
| 5 | In fact, the world does revolve around me. |
| 6 | By my words and actions, I often bring shame to my family. |
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