Mercenary

You hold no particular allegiance to a nation, king, or god. You might serve in a large military force for hire, or you might work alone. Either way, you have spent a great deal of your life in combat. The battles have blurred together in a miasma of blood and salt. You have lost many friends, made new ones, and lost them as well. It has been a hard life, but one filled with glory and riches as well. You have made a name for yourself as a capable warrior and your type of work is always almost always in demand.

Why have you taken and continued this lifestyle that can bring you so much pain? Do you enjoy the thrill of combat? Do you have a secret past that disallows you from more civilized work? Do you need money to pay off an old debt, or take care of a hungry family? Are you stuck with no real idea on how to get out? Is the promise of gold and adoration too much for you to resist?

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Survival

Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set and either (a) one type of musical instrument or (b) herbalism kit

Equipment: An heirloom weapon of good or even magical quality (not necessarily from your own family), a note from someone dear to you, a set of worn traveling clothes, a bedroll, a gaming set, and a pouch containing 100 gp.

Feature: Tough Jobs

When you are in a populated area you have little trouble finding work. People who have heard of you want your help with problems they find unsavory. Those who don’t know you can see the skill written on your body and will regularly hire you for enforcement or bodyguard work. You may find another group of mercenaries that will let you take a cut of their contract, if you can pull you own weight. Whatever the situation, you are never out of work and are always paid reasonably for the jobs you do.

Suggested Characteristics

Mercenaries rarely find solace in a quiet life. Peaceful retirements are interrupted by vengeful ghosts of their past, both literal and metaphorical. Their lives have been full of loss and anguish, so much so that many harden their hearts to everyone around them. Their inner selves can be fraught any combination of guilt, doubt, regret, and pain. Some use this turmoil to drive their knives even deeper into foes. Others use it as motivation to do better, seeking solace in continual acts of redemption.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I am loud, crass, and mean, and that’s just the way I like it.
2	A sharp mind and a fast tongue is the best way to stay out of danger.
3	I love the thrill of combat and don’t think I could live without it.
4	If I have gold in my pouch and a lover (or two) at my side then I am happy.
5	I am deeply political and sometimes object to the jobs I must do.
6	This is a fun gig, but what I’d really like to do is have a farm.
7	I will give all to those around me suffering, even if I caused the suffering.
8	I won’t take a job without knowing every detail.

d6	Ideal
1	Enforcer. I enforce the laws of those who pay me, regardless if I agree upon them or not. (Lawful)
2	Lust. I love the feel of three things: gold, flesh, and steel. The more you combine the three, the better. (Chaos)
3	Protection. I selflessly protect those that cannot protect themselves. (Good)
4	Reaper. Everyone must die sometime, and I want to be the one that does it. (Evil)
5	Aspiration. I want to be the very best, like no one ever was. (Any)
6	Untouchable. I. Am. Immortal. (Chaos)

d6	Bond
1	I have a family to feed and protect. It has been some time since I saw them.
2	My brothers-in-arms are closer to me than any other. I would die for them.
3	I was trained by a master swordsman that went missing a few years ago.
4	A close friend gave me a dying wish with their last breath. I’ve been working to finish it for some time now.
5	A secret affair with a noble has me on the run. One day I will return to them.
6	My god abandoned me in a crucial moment, and I need to know why.

d6	Flaw
1	The pleasures of the flesh are too great for me to resist.
2	I get a rush from watching someone else die. Sometimes I can’t stop myself.
3	I am very good with one weapon but cannot seem to master any other.
4	A chance encounter with true evil has made me fear my own death more than anything else.
5	I believe I am the chosen one. One day all will wonder at my glory.
6	I believe that every good thing that happens in this world is solely due to my actions.