Militia Member

You were part of a local militia, either by choice or by way of mandatory service. Your militia unit trained every new recruit in the same basic principles regardless of whether or not they were suited to that type of combat. Work with your DM to determine the nature of your militia and how well equipped it was. Did it have the means to train and equip all its members with greatswords and plate armor? Or could it only manage leather armor and spears? Was it a small local initiative, the militia of a major city, or part of a larger national guard organization? 

Your unit's role could also have determined how you were trained and equipped. Below are some examples of role and the equipment those would likely have:

Light Infantry: Studded Leather, Spear or Shortsword, and Shield
Line Infantry: Breastplate, Halberd or Longsword and Shield
Heavy Infantry: Plate, Greatsword or Battleaxe and Shield
Scouts: Leather, Shortbow or Handaxe and Shield
Skirmishers: Leather, Hand Crossbow, Shield
Light Cavalry: Studded Leather, Spear or Scimitar, and Shield
Heavy Cavalry: Plate, Lance, Shield
Crossbowman: Breastplate, Heavy Crossbow, and a dagger
Archer: Leather, Longbow, and a dagger

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics or Animal Handling

Equipment: a simple weapon or martial weapon reflecting your militias role, a set of armor bearing your militias insignia, a shield bearing your militias insignia or dagger, and a set of common clothes

Suggested Characteristics

The horrors of war combined with the rigid discipline of military service leave their mark on all soldiers, 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 memories of war. 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 military 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 battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind.
3	My honor is my life.
4	I’ll never forget the crushing defeat my company suffered or the enemies who dealt it.
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.