Soldiers that can think on their feet, sneak around, and survive on their own easily find good-paying jobs in any mercenary company. Rather than mold them into conformists, these individuals become forward scouts and spies.
It's a rewarding but challenging duty. If the intelligence gathered is wrong, whole armies can be crushed by an enemy with superior intel. Lives are on the line and in the wilderness in between settlements, often the weather, hungry animals, and monsters are more dangerous than enemy forces.
- Skill Proficiencies: Perception, Survival, Nature
- Tool Proficiencies: None.
- Languages: None.
- Equipment: An insignia of rank, a trophy taken from a fallen enemy (a dagger, piece of uniform, or piece of a banner) and a set of traveler's clothes.
During your time as a mercenary soldier, you were, or still are, a forward scout or spy.
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Forward Scout |
| 2 | Scout in Force |
| 3 | Infantry Scout |
| 4 | Spy Unseen |
| 5 | Scout Officer |
| 6 | Wilderness Message Runner |
| 7 | Scout Trainer |
| 8 | Sargent |
You have a military rank from your career as a mercenary. Mercenaries and people loyal to your former military organization still recognize your authority and influence, and they defer to you if they are of a lower rank. You can invoke your rank to exert influence over other soldiers and requisition simple equipment or horses for temporary use. You can also usually gain access to friendly military encampments and fortresses where your rank is recognized.
As long as you are not actively opposing other organizations in the field, other military organizations will likely provide some aid and logistics in hopes you will seek employment with them. Standing armies or a noble's soldiers are less likely to render you aid but may be favorable to you if your company provided assistance to them in the past.
Suggested Characteristics
Forward scouts are a rare breed in any military organization. They must independently adjust their immediate goals out in the field, as they do not have access to the chain-of-command. For this reason, they are usually given broad orders and expected to wing it if necessary. Forward scouts are encouraged not to get captured, and if they do, are expected to free, or kill themselves, before interrogation.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m always respectful. Not everyone is as with it as I am. |
| 2 | I’m haunted by memories of my fallen comrades. I miss them so. |
| 3 | It's best not to get too close to anyone anymore. |
| 4 | I go out of my way to teach the green troops so at least they have a chance at coming home. |
| 5 | I can stare down a demon dog. I've seen worse. I've done worse. |
| 6 | I enjoy being sneaky and shooting bad guys with arrows from as far away as possible. |
| 7 | I have a crude sense of humor. |
| 8 | I face problems by gathering as much information as possible before making an decision. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Greater Good. If not us, then whom? (Good) |
| 2 | Responsibility. The chain of command keeps people alive. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Independence. I move freely in the fog of war to maximum advantage. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Slaughter. They weak are preyed upon by their betters without mercy. (Evil) |
| 5 | Are we the baddies? (Neutral) |
| 6 | Nation. My city, nation, or people are all that matter. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would sacrifice anything for the people I served with. |
| 2 | No one gets left behind. No one. |
| 3 | Honor is everything otherwise we're no better than animals and beasts. |
| 4 | I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. |
| 5 | Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for. |
| 6 | I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still leaves me quivering with fear. |
| 2 | I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior. |
| 3 | I made a terrible mistake in scouting the enemy that cost many lives—and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret. |
| 4 | Sometimes, I capture an enemy soldier just to see if they will crack under pressure. |
| 5 | Pay me or forget you. |
| 6 | Young maidens are spoils of war. |
Soldiers that can think on their feet, sneak around, and survive on their own are coveted by lords, city watches and standing armies. Rather than mold them into conformists, these individuals become forward scouts and spies.
It's a rewarding but challenging duty. If the intelligence gathered is wrong, whole armies can be crushed by an enemy with superior intel. Lives are on the line and in the wilderness in between settlements, often the weather, hungry animals, and monsters are more dangerous than enemy forces.
You have a military rank from your career as a soldier. Soldiers and people loyal to your former military organization still recognize your authority and influence, and they defer to you if they are of a lower rank. You can invoke your rank to exert influence over other soldiers and requisition simple equipment or horses for temporary use. You can also usually gain access to friendly military encampments and fortresses where your rank is recognized.
As long as you are not actively opposing other organizations in the field, other military organizations will likely provide some aid and logistics as a matter of honor and respect for your former or current position.
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