For a significant part of your life, you have been devoted to defending or preserving a special object, site, or piece of knowledge. Your training to protect this sacred thing carries over into many aspects of your life, especially adventuring. Perhaps you hold an eldritch secret that you have protected for your whole life. Or your people preserves a sacred site touched by angels.
When you choose this background, work with your DM to determine what it was you protected and how it connected to you. Was it forbidden knowledge, a magical artifact, or a shrine? Ancient technology? An undead who your family kept secret as they grew in power? Your knowledge of this protected place or thing and your training to defend it shape your character and potentially your adventure.
- Skill Proficiencies: History, Athletics
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of musical instrument
- Languages: One language of your choice
- Equipment: A totem or trinket (roll on trinket table), potion of healing, a set of traveler's clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Your knowledge of a hidden object, site, or whatever else you are protecting as a Warden can mark you as a target for those chasing the mystery to which you hold the answer. Although some creatures may try to take the information forcefully, there may be other secret-seekers who are willing to help you. You can easily find sages and secret-seekers who are willing to help, as you know how to get attention with your knowledge without divulging information.
Suggested Characteristics
The discipline and knowledge that you have as a Warden may carry over to your personality or ideals. The secret you keep may be your bond or flaw. You decide how your history as a guardian of secrets may influence your present.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I try my best to get along with people, as hard as it may be. |
| 2 | I love the feeling of knowing something others don't. |
| 3 | I don't like it when people ask a lot of questions. |
| 4 | I have a story to tell fit for any situation. |
| 5 | When my friend is in need, I will help them and nothing can possibly stop me. |
| 6 | I am very territorial and I don't like others in my personal space. |
| 7 | My sense of humor (or lack of one) comes up at the worst times. |
| 8 | I feel empty and pointless without a purpose. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Improvement. People should strive to use what they have to become something better. (Good) |
| 2 | Respect. I respect people's secrets just as they should respect mine. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Truth. Everybody deserves to know the truth, even though it may hurt. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Knowledge is Power. My knowledge of forbidden secrets is my pathway to power and control. (Evil) |
| 5 | Live and Let Live. Ideals aren’t worth defending, it only hurts people. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Duty. The object I protect is all that matters. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I must succeed in protecting my secrets. |
| 2 | I want no part of protecting the secret my family has defended for so long, but I don't want to let them down. |
| 3 | I failed to save my family. I won't lose my friends. |
| 4 | I was banished from my Warden group, and I now want to find a new family. |
| 5 | I lost the item or knowledge I was sworn to protect, and I will do anything to get it back. |
| 6 | The secrets I kept were spilled, and there are those in the world that know them. I must eliminate all those beings. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The knowledge I carry is a burden, and I wish I could let it go. |
| 2 | I feel like everybody is telling me what to do, and I want my own life. |
| 3 | I am very touchy about my secrets, and will lash out at anyone who asks. |
| 4 | I follow the commands of those above me, even if they don't seem right. |
| 5 | My Warden group is counting on me to protect their secrets. They don't know I lost them, and they must never find out. |
| 6 | I keep wondering if anything I do is really changing anything. |
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