As an enforcer of the law you have been trained in the martial arts (Weapons, armor, hand to hand combat, etc), legal doctrine, and detainment procedures. Depending on the city, you may also have learned counter-siege tactics. Perhaps you were a young recruit, mediating the law your whole life, or perhaps you are a war veteran.
When you choose this background, work with your DM to determine which law enforcement organization you were a part of, how far through its ranks you progressed, and what kind of experiences you had during your career. Did you serve in a large city, a town, or a county militia?
- Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Intimidation
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, vehicles (land)
- Equipment: An insignia of rank, a set of bone dice or deck of cards, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
During your time as a guard, you had a specific role to play in your unit. Roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below to determine your role:
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Captain |
| 2 | Lieutenant |
| 3 | Sergeant |
| 4 | Cavalry |
| 5 | Corporal |
| 6 | Law Mage |
| 7 | Recruit |
| 8 | Investigator |
You have a rank from your career as a guard. Guards loyal to your former law enforcement 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 guards and requisition simple equipment or horses for temporary use. You can also usually gain access to friendly guard barracks and outposts where your rank is recognized.
Suggested Characteristics
The horrors seen at crime scenes, combined with the rigid discipline of service leave their mark on all guards, shaping their ideals, creating strong bonds, and often leaving them scarred and vulnerable to fear, shame, and hatred.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m always polite and respectful. |
| 2 | I’m haunted by the memory of a particularly gruesome crime scene. I can’t get the images of violence out of my mind. |
| 3 | I’ve lost too many friends, and I’m slow to make new ones. |
| 4 | I’m full of inspiring and cautionary tales from my experience relevant to almost every combat situation. |
| 5 | I can stare down a hell hound without flinching. |
| 6 | I enjoy being strong and like breaking things. |
| 7 | I have a crude sense of humor. |
| 8 | I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others. (Good) |
| 2 | Responsibility. I do what I must and obey just authority. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. In life as in war, the stronger force wins. (Evil) |
| 5 | Live and Let Live. Ideals aren’t worth killing over or going to war for. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Nation. My city, nation, or people are all that matter. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would still lay down my life for the people I served with. |
| 2 | Someone saved my life on the bust gone bad. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind. |
| 3 | My honor is my life. |
| 4 | I’ll never forget the men who died during the orc raid on the city. |
| 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 battle that cost many lives—and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret. |
| 4 | My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning. |
| 5 | I obey the law, even if the law causes misery. |
| 6 | I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong. |
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