A knighthood is among the lowest noble titles in most societies, but it can be a path to higher status. If you wish to be a knight, choose the Retainers feature (see the sidebar) instead of the Position of Privilege feature. One of your commoner retainers is replaced by a noble who serves as your squire, aiding you in exchange for training on his or her own path to knighthood. Your two remaining retainers might include a groom to care for your horse and a servant who polishes your armor (and even helps you put it on).

As an emblem of chivalry and the ideals of courtly love, you might include among your equipment a banner or other token from a noble lord or lady to whom you have given your heart — in a chaste sort of devotion. (This person could be your bond.)

You understand wealth, power, and privilege. You carry a noble title, and your family owns land, collects taxes, and wields significant political influence. You 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. Or you could be an honest, hard-working landowner who cares deeply about the people who live and work on your land, keenly aware of your responsibility to them.

Work with your DM to come up with an appropriate title and determine how much authority that title carries. A noble title doesn’t stand on its own—it’s connected to an entire family, and whatever title you hold, you will pass it down to your own children. Not only do you need to determine your noble title, but you should also work with the DM to describe your family and their influence on you.

Is your family old and established, or was your title only recently bestowed? How much influence do they wield, and over what area? What kind of reputation does your family have among the other aristocrats of the region? How do the common people regard them?

What’s your position in the family? Are you the heir to the head of the family? Have you already inherited the title? How do you feel about that responsibility? Or are you so far down the line of inheritance that no one cares what you do, as long as you don’t embarrass the family? How does the head of your family feel about your adventuring career? Are you in your family’s good graces, or shunned by the rest of your family?

Does your family have a coat of arms? An insignia you might wear on a signet ring? Particular colors you wear all the time? An animal you regard as a symbol of your line or even a spiritual member of the family?

These details help establish your family and your title as features of the world of the campaign.

 

Skill Proficiencies: Either 2 full skill proficiencies or half of all. History, Persuasion, Acrobatics, Performance

If choosing half of all, will need to manually adjust once character is created.

Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, one type of musical instrument and one type of gaming set 

Languages: One of your choice

Equipment: An unusual weapon or a musical instrument (one of your choice), a set of fine clothes, the favor of an admirer (love letter, lock of hair, or trinket), a scroll of pedigree and a pouch containing 25 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Nobles are born and raised to a very different lifestyle than most people ever experience, and their personalities reflect that upbringing. A noble title comes with a plethora of bonds —responsibilities to family, to other nobles (including the sovereign), to the people entrusted to the family’s care, or even to the title itself. But this responsibility is often a good way to undermine a noble.

Successful entertainers have to be able to capture and hold an audience’s attention, so they tend to have flamboyant or forceful personalities. They’re inclined toward the romantic and often cling to high-minded ideals about the practice of art and the appreciation of beauty.

d12	Personality Trait
1	I know a story relevant to almost every situation.
2	Whenever I come to a new place, I collect local rumors and spread gossip.
3	I’m a hopeless romantic, always searching for that “special someone.”
4	Nobody stays angry at me or around me for long, since I can defuse any amount of tension.
5	I love a good insult, even one directed at me.
6	I get bitter if I’m not the center of attention.
7	I’ll settle for nothing less than perfection.
8	My eloquent flattery makes everyone I talk to feel like the most wonderful and important person in the world.
9	The common folk love me for my kindness and generosity.
10	I take great pains to always look my best and follow the latest fashions.
11	Despite my noble birth, I do not place myself above other folk. We all have the same blood.
12	My favor, once lost, is lost forever.

d12	Ideal
1	Beauty. When I perform, I make the world better than it was. (Good)
2	Tradition. The stories, legends, and songs of the past must never be forgotten, for they teach us who we are. (Lawful)
3	Creativity. The world is in need of new ideas and bold action. (Chaotic)
4	People. I like seeing the smiles on people’s faces when I perform. That’s all that matters. (Neutral)
5	Honesty. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any)
6	Respect. Respect is due to me because of my position, but all people regardless of station deserve to be treated with dignity. (Good)
7	Responsibility. It is my duty to respect the authority of those above me, just as those below me must respect mine. (Lawful)
8	Independence. I must prove that I can handle myself without the coddling of my family. (Chaotic)
9	Power. If I can attain more power, no one will tell me what to do. (Evil)
10	Family. Blood runs thicker than water. (Any)
11	Noble Obligation. It is my duty to protect and care for the people beneath me. (Good)
12	Greed. I’m only in it for the money and fame. (Evil)

d12	Bond
1	My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone I love.
2	Someone stole my precious instrument, and someday I’ll get it back.
3	I want to be famous, whatever it takes.
4	I idolize a hero of the old tales and measure my deeds against that person’s.
5	I will do anything to prove myself superior to my hated rival.
6	I would do anything for the other members of my old troupe.
7	I will face any challenge to win the approval of my family.
8	My house’s alliance with another noble family must be sustained at all costs.
9	Nothing is more important than the other members of my family.
10	I am in love with the heir of a family that my family despises.
11	My loyalty to my sovereign is unwavering.
12	The common folk must see me as a hero of the people.

d12	Flaw
1	I’ll do anything to win fame and renown.
2	I’m a sucker for a pretty face.
3	A scandal prevents me from ever going home again. That kind of trouble seems to follow me around.
4	I once satirized a noble who still wants my head. It was a mistake that I will likely repeat.
5	I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble.
6	Despite my best efforts, I am unreliable to my friends.
7	I secretly believe that everyone is beneath me.
8	I hide a truly scandalous secret that could ruin my family forever.
9	I too often hear veiled insults and threats in every word addressed to me, and I’m quick to anger.
10	I have an insatiable desire for carnal pleasures.
11	In fact, the world does revolve around me.
12	By my words and actions, I often bring shame to my family.