You know how to deal with the nobility and serve a family of high status, tending to their every need. The family may use you to merely do some simple tasks, such as letter writing or cleaning, or if they are more corrupt they may use you to perform illegal tasks without them getting their hands dirty. Whichever way, you know exactly what those in high statuses like to see and hear, and always manipulate your knowledge to best please them.
Ask your DM for help with deciding who you serve, or even just creating your noble family. Is their name an exceedingly famous one which could gain you some respect yourself? How much land do they own? What are their reputation amongst other noble families? How do the commoners find them? Think about the values of your employers: are they pompous aristocrats who treat you as a mere dog, or are they honest landowners who care dearly for you and appreciate your work? How they treat you could be key to shaping your character's personality.
- Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Persuasion, Deception
- Tool Proficiencies: Any one artisan's tool, musical instrument, or gaming set of your choice
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment: A set of fine clothes, any one artisan's tool of your choice, a small knife, a quill, a bottle of black ink, bundles of paper, and a purse containing 20 gp
Being known for how hard working and tact they are, good butlers are able to perform any mundane tasks well. But being hard working is nothing if they do not respect their employers. When speaking with those of higher status of you, you understand how to please them and deftly dodge any criticism you could receive. This lets you abuse your favour to easily hide anything from nobles. On top of this, when speaking with common folk, you can subtly ingratiate them and cause them to interact more favourably with them.
Suggested Characteristics
The views a butler shares are frequently influenced by their masters, but sometimes they may hide deeper feelings through their manipulation of nobles. Use the tables below and decide whether your butler is of the obedient type, secretly plotting their employers' demises, or anywhere in between.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | My eloquent flattery makes everyone I talk to feel like the most wonderful and important person in the world. |
| 2 | The common folk love me for being so much nicer than my nobles. |
| 3 | I hate doing any tasks that are very physically demanding. |
| 4 | As a representation of my family, I must always look smart. |
| 5 | I dislike killing, and prefer to aid. |
| 6 | Despite my noble relations, I do not place myself above other folk. We all have the same blood. |
| 7 | I act exactly as my employers would, accounting for their opinions and grudges. |
| 8 | If you do my masters an injury, I will crush you, ruin your name, and salt your fields. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. Respect is due to everyone, noble or not. (Good) |
| 2 | Responsibility. It is my duty to maintain the high status of my nobles. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Independence. I must prove that I can handle myself without the coddling of my those I serve. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. If I can abuse my employing family's status to my own will, I do so. (Evil) |
| 5 | Loyalty. I could never betray my employers. (Any) |
| 6 | Obligation. It is my duty to protect and care for anyone who needs me, regardless of whether I am paid. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I secretly hate the family I work for. |
| 2 | My house’s alliance with another noble family must be sustained at all costs. |
| 3 | Nothing is more important than the protection of my employers. |
| 4 | I am in love with a member of the family I serve. |
| 5 | My loyalty to my sovereign is unwavering. |
| 6 | I gain respect from the common folk due to my bond with the nobility. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I believe that everyone is beneath me due to my relations with the nobility. |
| 2 | I hide a truly scandalous secret that could ruin my career forever. |
| 3 | I too often hear veiled insults and threats in every word addressed to me, and I’m quick to anger. |
| 4 | Due to being overworked, I will take every bit of sleep I can get. |
| 5 | My work ethic is horrible and I am slow to finish any task. |
| 6 | I am squeamish and dislike blood. |