Somewhere in your past, you forged a sacred bond with a living creature — a mythic animal that has watched over you, and that you, in turn, have sworn to protect. Unlike conjured familiars or trained beasts, your Watcher is singular and irreplaceable, a companion tied to your destiny. Whether it appeared to you in the wilderness, was entrusted to you by your community, or manifested in a moment of crisis, your life has been shaped by its presence.

 

Ability Scores: Choose three of the following ability scores: Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom. Increase one by 2 and another by 1, or increase all three by 1. (None of these increases can raise a score above 20.)

Feat: You gain the Bound Watcher’s Bond feat (detailed separately).

Skill Proficiencies: You gain proficiency in Animal Handling and one of the following: Nature, Perception, or Survival.

Tool Proficiencies: You gain proficiency with Herbalism Kit or one type of Artisan’s Tools of your choice.

Languages: You know one additional language of your choice.

Equipment: You start with a totem representing your Watcher’s form (a carved feather, claw pendant, painted stone, or other symbolic token), and either 50 gp or the following equipment:

• A set of traveler’s clothes
• A satchel or backpack with a bedroll and mess kit
• A herbalism kit (or one set of chosen artisan’s tools)
• A hunting trap or journal for tracking your Watcher’s growth
• A pouch containing 10 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Bound Watchers often share traits of loyalty, alertness, and intuition. Their bond shapes their values: some see themselves as guardians, others as scouts, and still others as seekers of hidden knowledge. Tables of traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws may be adapted from the Hermit, Outlander, or Folk Hero backgrounds, flavored to reflect the watchful bond between character and creature.