Militarist

Militarists either work within a formal military structure, or fight for pay on an individual basis. Militarists are often respected or feared, depending on the nature of their organisation. High-ranking Militarists are often paid handsomely, as their skills can decide battles or even wars. Lower-level Militarists make great warriors, mercenaries, and guards.
It is not unheard of for militaristic individuals to accompany adventurers on dangerous missions. These tasks are said to keep the mind sharp and skills honed, especially in times of relative peace.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose one from Animal Handling, Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, Survival.
Tool Proficiency: One type of gaming set.
Equipment: Traveller's Clothes, a gaming set you are proficient with, an insignia detailing your rank within a military organisation, and 10gp.

---

Free Sword

Free Swords are commonly referred to as mercenaries, taking jobs that the local forces can't handle. Mercenaries may be the only hope of villages looking for defenders against raiders, overextended sheriffs chasing powerful fugitives, and small merchants travelling Etharis' dangerous byroads. Larger mercenary companies win wars on behalf of cities and kings. They fight for coin above all else, exacting little honour from the contracts they accept.
Skill Profiency: Intimidation.
Additional Equipment: Moleskin gloves, grappling net, a hip flask of hard liquor.

Independent Contractor

Upon spending an hour loitering within a town, and succeeding on a DC15 Charisma (Intimidation) check, your intimidating presence draws offers of employment to you. As long as you are not trying to conceal your presence, jobs befitting a Free Sword Mercenary will find you. You can find mercenary and adventuring jobs only available to Free Sword licence-holders. These jobs typically pay more than a standard contract of their type. Free Swords guilds take a 5% cut as a guild fee.

Rank 1 - Hireling

You have been trained in combat by a group of mercenaries with a Free Sword licence. After many tedious years of combat drills and shooting at straw targets, you are close to receiving your very own license.
Holdings:

• Lodging at any Free Sword's guild house and use of Free Sword's training grounds and facilities.
• The contract for a dangerous bounty that your mentor died trying to complete.

Progression: Complete a contract with a guild member who has a Free Sword license.

Rank 2 - Sellsword

After proving your competence and trustworthiness, you have become a guild-licensed Sellsword. You start to receive specific requests for jobs as your reputation grows.
Holdings:

• A Free Sword license, which allows you to accept your own contracts as a mercenary and collect the rewards.
• Access to hirelings belonging to the Free Swords guild, who you can contract for a small fee.

Progression: Lead a team successfully through several high stakes encounters during mercenary contracts.

Rank 3 - Sword Commander

You have proven your combat prowess and command of battlefield tactics. Special requests for your services are becoming more frequent, often from people or groups of higher social status. The mercenary companions who accompany you on your jobs have matured into disciplined soldiers who trust you as their commander.
Holdings:

• Your own private room in a guild house and a retainer who can either take care of business for you at the guild house or accompany you on your travels.
• Command authority over lower ranks and the power to employ them for jobs.
• Access to restricted jobs that depend on sensitive information or extraordinary risk.

Progression: Successfully complete a restricted job for a high-profile client.

Rank 4 - Battlelord

You have been elected by the members of your Free Swords guild to lead them forward to greater power and acclaim. What type of commander are you going to be? Will you lead by example and rush into the fray during combat, or retire the sword and pick up the pen?
Holdings:

• Command of the Free Sword's guild and its members, including managing contracts, and overseeing the training of hirelings.
• A guild chapterhouse, which includes housing for you and your lieutenants as well as an extensive armoury for guild members.

---

Guard

Public officers of the law in cities and large settlements, Guards protect the populace from the dangers both inside and outside the walls. If it looks like guards spend their time loitering and playing cards, its because most of the time the mere presence of a guard is enough to make petty criminals move along.
Guards occupy a variety of stations, ranging from lowly bar bouncers to royal men-at-arms who protect the royal family and their most prized possessions.
Skill Proficiency: Perception.
Additional Equipment: Manacles, pipe and tobacco box, a badge of office.

Informant

Upon spending an hour asking around, and succeeding on a DC15 Wisdom (Perception) check, you can find a contact within the local constabulary or guard hierarchy. This contact begins as friendly to you and will answer questions you have regarding local wanted criminals, law enforcement, and ongoing or previous investigations.

Rank 1 - Town Militia

You have joined the local town militia out of necessity or desire. Either way, your duties have included many sleepless nights on watch, and many tedious days spent idly standing guard.
Holdings:

• A bunk bed to sleep in at your stationed guardhouse.
• Sensitive information relating to an unsolved murder that you have not told anyone about.

Progression: Solve a crime or uncover a major smuggling route.

Rank 2 - Captain of the Watch

Your dedication to your city has not gone unnoticed, and you have been promoted to Captain of the Watch. You now lead a small detail of guards who follow your orders.
Holdings:

• Access to the keys to the city gates.
• A group of militia guards to train and organise as you see fit.

Progression: Catch a renowned criminal before they can escape the city, or another act worthy of a promotion.

Rank 3 - Palace Guard

You have shown initiative and critical thinking under strain in leading your guard detail, and have been suitably promoted to the rank of Palace Guard. Your loyalty is highly valued, and your discretion is even more so. Your focus has shifted from keeping the peace to protecting the most importance places and people in the city.
Holdings:

• Free lodging on the grounds of the palace or other place of work.
• Unquestioned access to restricted areas of the city.
• Permission to view the casefiles of ongoing investigations and past crimes. You can also access documents detailing guard routes and rosters.

Progression: Save a VIP from an assassination attempt, rescue a kidnapped princess, or anything of equal import to be promoted.

Rank 4 - Lord Commander

You now command the entire law enforcement system of your area, with accompanying fortresses and militia. You stand as the final authority for most executive and judicial problems in your region, making you the physical embodiment of the law. When the leaders of your city need protection or want a crime investigated, they go through you.
Holdings:

• Command of the entire guard hierarchy within your area, with the authority to conscript new militia and impose martial law within a region or town.
• Command of a fortress within a major town or city, granting you access to weapons, defensive siege equipment, and squadrons of guards under your command.
• You report directly to the highest officials, and have the ear of the monarch on matters of the city's defences.

---

Soldier

Getting into the army isn't the hard part, staying alive is. Every nation and culture has their own notions about what makes a good soldier, and who they look to to fill their ranks.
As a soldier, you don't just know fighting, you know war. Being a soldier involves much more than individual combat prowess. Winning a battle depends on discipline, teamwork, tactics, and a great deal of marching and logistical work that the epics rarely mention.
Skill Proficiency: Athletics.
Additional Equipment: A trophy from your first battle, a letter from your family or a loved one, standard issue soldier's garb, a service medallion signifying rank.

Combat Drills

Upon spending an hour, and succeeding on a DC15 Strength (Athletics) check, you can run training drills and gain an accurate estimate of the drilled humanoids' combat capabilities, as well as any equipment or fortifications they use. You determine the most suitable strategy to improve their capabilities in the short term as well as the best way to train them for the long term.

Rank 1 - Foot Soldier

Many Foot Soldiers are conscripts. Others fight for the honour of their king and country, and still others for the steady pay check. Regardless of your reason for joining the military, the food was usually warm and the tents kept you dry during the long nights. Your time in the military has taught you the value of the regimented early mornings and working yourself to exhaustion.
Holdings:

• A tent to sleep in and free food when in an encampment of your military.
• A letter from a fallen enemy messenger that you either killed or found.

Progression: Distinguish yourself. Bring vital information about an enemy encampment or movement that will help win a battle or prevent a defeat. Or perform exceptionally well in battle, turning the tide or capturing an enemy banner.

Rank 2 - Sergeant

Your superiors have promoted you to the rank of Sergeant. This brings new challenges in training and commanding the new conscripts who have been assigned to you. How do you train them, on training grounds or in the wilds of Etharis? Or do you let them fend for themselves?
Holdings:

• Command over a small unit of Foot Soldiers.
• A valet who attends to your personal needs in the field and relays important messages when required.

Progression: Maintain your troops' discipline through multiple skirmishes.

Rank 3 - Lieutenant

Several Sergeants have been placed under your command so that you can coordinate their movements in and out of battle. You maintain an air of command about you, and instil confidence in those you command. You have also proven adept with battle tactics, knowing how to read an encounter and when to deploy reserves.
Holdings:

• Command over a brigade of soldiers.
• A command tent that serves as your headquarters for battlefield operations.

Progression: Decisively win an even battle or win a battle against the odds.

Rank 4 - Field Marshall

Your recent promotion to Field Marshal has been foreseen by many and scorned by few. You command whole armies at a time, whether you are an artist with your masterful manoeuvring of battle lines, or utterly brutal in your encounters, none can deny your efficiency in war.
Holdings:

• Command over the region's military.
• A seat at any council meetings relevant to military matters of the kingdom/
• Residence in a manor close to the training grounds in the capital city.

---