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.
A weapon forged in the hands of a noble warrior, the Awakened Blade was once a mere tool of war—a sword, spear, or axe. Through centuries of battle and the unwavering devotion of its master, the weapon gained sentience. Over time, it became more than a tool; it became a companion, a guardian, and a voice of purpose. But when its master fell in battle [or from other sources], the weapon was left alone, its purpose shattered. Now, it roams the world, seeking a new master or a new reason to fight.
- Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, History, Survival, Perception, Insight
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set
Tinker’s Tools
- Languages: Common – Spoken by most in the world, though the weapon often prefers silence.
Ancient Tongue – A language tied to its master’s culture, now faded but still understood.
Bonus Language – A regional dialect or a language from its master’s homeland.
One of your choice - Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of pedigree, and a purse containing 25 gp
Thanks to the noble legacy of your former master, people are inclined to think the best of you. Even as a weapon, your presence carries the weight of their name, and many assume you are an extension of their will or a relic of their honor. You are welcomed in high society, and others of noble birth treat you with respect, though they may not fully understand your sentience. The common folk, too, hesitate to challenge your authority, as they fear the wrath of your master’s legacy. You can secure an audience with a local noble or gain access to restricted areas where a weapon of your caliber might otherwise be barred. However, this privilege is a double-edged sword: if your master’s name is tarnished or if your actions contradict their reputation, the same respect may turn to suspicion or hostility.
“They do not see me as a blade, but as the shadow of a name. Let them bow, for I am the will of the one who wielded me. But what is a weapon without a hand to guide it?”
Suggested Characteristics
The Awakened Blade is a weapon reborn, shaped by centuries of service, loyalty, and the weight of its master’s legacy. Its existence is defined by a duality: a tool of war, yet a being with purpose, memory, and a yearning for meaning beyond its original role.
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | You struggle to adapt to new masters or ideologies, clinging to the values and methods of your original wielder. This rigidity can make you a formidable ally, but also a liability in shifting circumstances. |
| 2 | You will follow your master’s commands without question, even if it means sacrificing yourself. |
| 3 | You speak little, and your actions are deliberate, driven by a sense of duty. |
| 4 | You struggle to understand your existence without a master, often questioning whether your purpose is still valid. |
| 5 | You are unwavering in your devotion to your master, even if they are gone. Your actions are guided by their will, and you see yourself as an extension of their purpose. |
| 6 | You are uncomfortable with quiet moments, as they force you to confront your own thoughts. You often speak to yourself, mimicking your master’s voice or reciting battle strategies to fill the void. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Right to Protect. You believe your purpose is to shield the innocent, even if it means fighting for strangers. You see yourself as a guardian, not a weapon of war. Your loyalty is to life, not to any one master. (Good) |
| 2 | The Code of the Blade. You adhere to a strict, unyielding code of conduct, believing that order and discipline are the only paths to justice. Your actions must align with the traditions of your past, even if they no longer serve a master. (Lawful) |
| 3 | The Right to Choose. You reject the idea of being bound to a master’s will. You believe your existence is your own to shape, and you fight for freedom, yours and others’, even if it means defying the past. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | The Right to Destroy. You see destruction as a necessary tool for survival. If the world is corrupt, then you are its hammer. You justify your violence as a means to an end, even if it costs lives. (Evil) |
| 5 | The Right to Exist. You believe your sentience grants you the right to define your own purpose. You are neither bound by loyalty nor driven by vengeance—you simply are, and your path is yours to choose. (Any) |
| 6 | The Right to Honor. You seek to uphold the legacy of your master, even if their name is forgotten. You fight not for power, but to ensure their deeds are remembered, and their ideals live on through you. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | You carry a fragment of your master’s final command, a phrase or instruction that you are compelled to fulfill. This bond is both a guide and a chain, dictating your every move. |
| 2 | You are obsessed with uncovering the name of your master, believing that knowing it will grant you purpose. This obsession leads you to seek out relics, records, or people who might remember them. |
| 3 | You are drawn to the site where your master fell, believing that answers or redemption lie there. This bond compels you to return to the place of your greatest loss. |
| 4 | You are bound by a vow you made to your master in their final moments—a promise to protect a specific person, place, or artifact. This oath haunts you, driving you to fulfill it even if it leads you to danger or betrayal. |
| 5 | You are haunted by a recurring vision of your master’s death, a moment you cannot fully recall but feel is tied to your purpose. This bond compels you to seek answers, even if it means confronting painful truths about your past. |
| 6 | You carry a grudge against a warrior or faction that once stood against your master. This bond fuels your desire for vengeance, but it also blinds you to opportunities for peace or redemption, trapping you in cycles of conflict. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | You trust your training and past victories too much, leading you to underestimate opponents or ignore strategic risks. This flaw can result in reckless charges or failure to adapt to new tactics. |
| 2 | You dread the possibility of being wielded by another master, fearing you’ll lose your autonomy. This fear makes you hesitant to ally with others, even when it’s necessary for survival. |
| 3 | Your focus on duty and combat makes it hard to understand non-combat situations or the emotions of others. You may struggle to navigate diplomacy, relationships, or moral dilemmas. |
| 4 | You prefer to act alone, believing that relying on others is a weakness. This makes it difficult to build trust or collaborate, even when it could benefit your goals. |
| 5 | You’re terrified of failing your master’s legacy, which paralyzes you in moments of doubt. This fear can lead to hesitation, self-sabotage, or a refusal to take risks. |
| 6 | You cling to memories of your master and past battles, making it hard to embrace the present or future. This can cause you to miss opportunities or resist change, even when it’s necessary. |
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.)
If your character has a noble background, you may select this background feature instead of Position of Privilege.
You have the service of three retainers loyal to your family. These retainers can be attendants or messengers, and one might be a majordomo. Your retainers are commoners who can perform mundane tasks for you, but they do not fight for you, will not follow you into obviously dangerous areas (such as dungeons), and will leave if they are frequently endangered or abused.
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