Soldier
Soldier
War has been your life for as long as you care to remember. You trained as a youth, studied the use of weapons and armor, learned basic survival techniques, including how to stay alive on the battlefield. You might have been part of a standing national army or a mercenary company, or perhaps a member of a local militia who rose to prominence during a recent war.
When you choose this background, work with your DM to determine which military organization you were a part of, how far through its ranks you progressed, and what kind of experiences you had during your military career. Was it a standing army, a town guard, or a village militia? Or it might have been a noble’s or merchant’s private army, or a mercenary company.
In the Cantara Isles
The following are examples of where your character may have served if they have the soldier background.Callistan Legionnaire. You are a part of the most respected and feared military force in Cantara. Trained at the Callistan Military Academy, you not only learned the finer points of combat, unit tactics, and military strategy, you studied the philosophy and terrible beauty of war. The Legion does not want single minded war machines lined up to die for their city. The Legion wants disciplined, intelligent, critical thinkers who are a true asset to the legionnaires around them. You are deadly with the spear, shield, and shortsword, and have a decent head on your shoulders to boot.
Tyran Mountain Guard. The Mountain Guard of Tyr work one of the deadliest jobs in the Isles. They man the posts in the mountains above Tyr, safeguarding the crystal city from the monsters that reside in those peaks. Mountain Guards don’t only face chromatic dragons and trolls, they face grueling conditions in the cold of the mountains for long months without reprieve. It is a brutal life where it is said that you earn your leave when the dragon fire gets you. The Mountain Guard is heralded as a noble, heroic order of brave warriors keeping evil at bay, but those who have served would laugh. With a greater than %50 mortality rate, serving in the Guard seems like a death sentence, but to many poor young men trying to feed sick and hungry families, the substantial pay often seems enough to make it worth it. Often that is, until they get to their post.
Bushi Warrior. The Bushi Warriors of Tokina are an order devoted to self perfection. They are dedicated masters of the blade and uphold a strict code of chivalry. Whether you are in the Shujin’s Royal Army, you owe your loyalty to a noble house, or you are a lone wandering warrior, commanding the title of Bushi earns you respect across Tokina. You’ve honed your skills with the katana to a fine edge, but you are just as capable dispatching foes with your hands and feet.
Montipalan Marine. You are a soldier serving aboard a ship of war, trained to repel boarders, attack enemy vessels, and storm the land from the waves. Montipalan navies have long implemented Marines in their tactics, both for warfighting and to defend against rampant pirates. You might serve in the Lamitane or Breakstorm navy, or perhaps you’re old enough to have served Soritosi before it was razed. Maybe you’ve moved on from military life and applied your skills protecting commercial and private vessels in these dangerous seas. Whatever the case, you’ve been trained in the unique job of fighting on ground that moves beneath your feet, and that’s something to be proud of.
Skaldik Warrior. Warriors of the Skaldik Kingdoms are renowned for their aggression, cunning, and versatility. You serve your liege with fury and pride, never backing down from an enemy and striking fear into those who face you. You are an experienced raider, not one to face a foe in open battle by choice. The Skaldik find advantages wherever they can and exploit them, attacking swiftly to defeat their foes quickly and decisively. Garbed in thick furs under breastplates and mail, you are naturally attuned to fighting in the blistering cold and snow.
Skill Proficiencies Athletics, Intimidation
Tool Proficiencies One type of gaming set, vehicles (land)
Equipment An insignia of rank, a trophy taken from a fallen enemy (a dagger, broken blade, or piece of a banner), a set of bone dice or deck of cards, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Features
Specialty
During your time as a soldier, you had a specific role to play in your unit or army. Roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below to determine your role.
| 1d6 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Officer |
| 2 | Scout |
| 3 | Infantry |
| 4 | Cavalry |
| 5 | Healer |
| 6 | Quartermaster |
| 7 | Standard bearer |
| 8 | Support staff (cook, blacksmith, or the like) |
Military Rank
You have a military rank from your career as a soldier. Soldiers 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.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.
Traits
| 1d8 | 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. |
Ideal
| 1d6 | 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) |
Bond
| 1d6 | 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. |
Flaw
| 1d6 | 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. |
