You are both a warrior and a witness to history. Whether you marched in great campaigns, served in a noble army, or fought in border skirmishes, you didn’t just survive - you remembered. You took note of battles, leaders, strategies, and the rise and fall of powers. Now, your body carries the strength of a soldier, and your mind carries the weight of the past.
- Skill Proficiencies:
- Athletics
- History
- Tool Proficiencies:
- Calligrapher’s supplies or cartographer’s tools
- One type of gaming set
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment:
- A weathered journal filled with your notes
- A set of traveler’s clothes
- A small token from a past battle (broken blade, insignia, etc.)
- A gaming set
- Belt pouch containing 10 gp
Feature: War Stories
You can leverage your experience and knowledge of historical conflicts to gain respect, information, or shelter among soldiers, mercenaries, and military organizations.
When you enter a settlement or camp with a martial presence, you can usually:
- Secure modest lodging or rations for yourself and your companions
- Gain an audience with ranking soldiers or officers
- Recall relevant historical details about battles, tactics, or notable figures tied to the area
People who value military experience are inclined to treat you as a peer, even if they outrank you.
Suggested Characteristics
Personality Traits
- I constantly compare current situations to battles I’ve survived.
- I record everything of importance—I never trust memory alone.
- I enjoy swapping stories with fellow warriors, embellishing just a little.
- I remain calm under pressure; I’ve seen worse.
- I stretch or train daily to keep myself battle-ready.
- I have a dry, often morbid sense of humor.
Ideals
- Legacy. What we do must be remembered. (Any)
- Discipline. Strength comes from training and order. (Lawful)
- Truth. History must be recorded honestly, no matter how ugly. (Neutral)
- Glory. Great deeds deserve to be immortalized. (Chaotic)
- Duty. I serve something greater than myself. (Lawful)
- Survival. History is written by those who live through it. (Neutral)
Bonds
- I carry the story of a fallen comrade who must not be forgotten.
- My journal contains secrets others would kill to possess.
- I seek to correct a historical lie I once helped spread.
- I owe my life to a commander whose legacy I defend.
- I search for the site of a lost or forgotten battle.
- My homeland’s history is being erased—I will preserve it.
Flaws
- I dwell too much on past failures.
- I underestimate those without combat experience.
- I embellish stories until truth and fiction blur.
- I struggle to leave the past behind.
- I take unnecessary risks to create a “worthy story.”
- I’m overly critical of poor tactics—even in harmless situations.
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