You have spent your life in the service of a temple to a specific god or pantheon of gods. You act as an intermediary between the realm of the holy and the mortal world, performing sacred rites and offering sacrifices in order to conduct worshipers into the presence of the divine. You are not necessarily a clericâperforming sacred rites is not the same thing as channeling divine power.
Choose a god, a pantheon of gods, or some other quasi-divine being, and work with your DM to detail the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your religious service. The Gods of the Multiverse section contains a sample pantheon, from the Forgotten Realms setting. Were you a lesser functionary in a temple, raised from childhood to assist the priests in the sacred rites? Or were you a high priest who suddenly experienced a call to serve your god in a different way? Perhaps you were the leader of a small cult outside of any established temple structure, or even an occult group that served a fiendish master that you now deny.
FEATURE: SHELTER OF THE FAITHFUL
As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your &Reference[rel]{religion} will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.
Acolytes are shaped by their experience in temples or other religious communities. Their study of the &Reference[his]{history} and tenets of their faith and their relationships to temples, shrines, or hierarchies affect their mannerisms and ideals. Their flaws might be some hidden hypocrisy or heretical idea, or an ideal or bond taken to an extreme.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I idolize a particular hero of my faith, and constantly refer to that personâs deeds and example. |
| 2 | I can find common ground between the fiercest enemies, empathizing with them and always working toward peace. |
| 3 | I see omens in every event and action. The gods try to speak to us, we just need to listen. |
| 4 | Nothing can shake my optimistic attitude. |
| 5 | I quote (or misquote) sacred texts and proverbs in almost every situation. |
| 6 | I am tolerant (or intolerant) of other faiths and respect (or condemn) the worship of other gods. |
| 7 | Iâve enjoyed fine food, drink, and high society among my templeâs elite. Rough living grates on me. |
| 8 | Iâve spent so long in the temple that I have little practical experience dealing with people in the outside world. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tradition. The ancient traditions of worship and sacrifice must be preserved and upheld. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Charity. I always try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good) |
| 3 | Change. We must help bring about the changes the gods are constantly working in the world. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I hope to one day rise to the top of my faithâs religious hierarchy. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Faith. I trust that my deity will guide my actions. I have faith that if I work hard, things will go well. (Lawful) |
| 6 | Aspiration. I seek to prove myself worthy of my godâs favor by matching my actions against his or her teachings. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would die to recover an ancient relic of my faith that was lost long ago. |
| 2 | I will someday get revenge on the corrupt temple hierarchy who branded me a heretic. |
| 3 | I owe my life to the priest who took me in when my parents died. |
| 4 | Everything I do is for the common people. |
| 5 | I will do anything to protect the temple where I served. |
| 6 | I seek to preserve a sacred text that my enemies consider heretical and seek to destroy. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely. |
| 2 | I put too much trust in those who wield power within my templeâs hierarchy. |
| 3 | My piety sometimes leads me to blindly trust those that profess faith in my god. |
| 4 | I am inflexible in my thinking. |
| 5 | I am suspicious of strangers and expect the worst of them. |
| 6 | Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life. |
As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your &Reference[rel]{religion} will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.
\nYou are an experienced criminal with a &Reference[his]{history} of breaking the law. You have spent a lot of time among other criminals and still have contacts within the criminal underworld. Youâre far closer than most people to the world of murder, theft, and violence that pervades the underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society.
There are many kinds of criminals, and within a thievesâ guild or similar criminal organization, individual members have particular specialties. Even criminals who operate outside of such organizations have strong preferences for certain kinds of crimes over others. Choose the role you played in your criminal life, or roll on the table below.
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Blackmailer |
| 2 | Burglar |
| 3 | Enforcer |
| 4 | Fence |
| 5 | Highway robber |
| 6 | Hired killer |
| 7 | Pickpocket |
| 8 | Smuggler |
FEATURE: CRIMINAL CONTACT
You have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as your liaison to a network of other criminals. You know how to get messages to and from your contact, even over great distances; specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you.
Although your capabilities are not much different from those of a burglar or smuggler, you learned and practiced them in a very different context: as an espionage agent. You might have been an officially sanctioned agent of the crown, or perhaps you sold the secrets you uncovered to the highest bidder.
Criminals might seem like villains on the surface, and many of them are villainous to the core. But some have an abundance of endearing, if not redeeming, characteristics. There might be honor among thieves, but criminals rarely show any respect for law or authority.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong. |
| 2 | I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me. |
| 3 | The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuableâor where such things could be hidden. |
| 4 | I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy. |
| 5 | I am incredibly &Reference[slow]{slow} to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. |
| 6 | I donât pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. |
| 7 | The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I canât do it. |
| 8 | I blow up at the slightest insult. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Honor. I donât steal from others in the trade. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Charity. I steal from the wealthy so that I can help people in need. (Good) |
| 4 | Greed. I will do whatever it takes to become wealthy. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. Iâm loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I care. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Redemption. Thereâs a spark of good in everyone. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor. |
| 2 | My ill-gotten gains go to support my family. |
| 3 | Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back. |
| 4 | I will become the greatest thief that ever lived. |
| 5 | Iâm guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it. |
| 6 | Someone I loved died because of I mistake I made. That will never happen again. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | When I see something valuable, I canât think about anything but how to steal it. |
| 2 | When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money. |
| 3 | If thereâs a plan, Iâll forget it. If I donât forget it, Iâll ignore it. |
| 4 | I have a âtellâ that reveals when Iâm lying. |
| 5 | I turn tail and run when things look bad. |
| 6 | An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. Iâm okay with that. |
You have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as your liaison to a network of other criminals. You know how to get messages to and from your contact, even over great distances; specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you.
\nYou come from a humble social rank, but you are destined for so much more. Already the people of your home village regard you as their champion, and your destiny calls you to stand against the tyrants and monsters that threaten the common folk everywhere.
You previously pursued a simple profession among the peasantry, perhaps as a farmer, miner, servant, shepherd, woodcutter, or gravedigger. But something happened that &Reference[set]{set} you on a different path and marked you for greater things. Choose or randomly determine a defining event that marked you as a hero of the people.
| d10 | Defining Event |
|---|---|
| 1 | I stood up to a tyrantâs agents. |
| 2 | I saved people during a natural disaster. |
| 3 | I stood alone against a terrible monster. |
| 4 | I stole from a corrupt merchant to help the poor. |
| 5 | I led a militia to fight off an invading army. |
| 6 | I broke into a tyrantâs castle and stole weapons to arm the people. |
| 7 | I trained the peasantry to use farm implements as weapons against a tyrantâs soldiers. |
| 8 | A lord rescinded an unpopular decree after I led a symbolic act of protest against it. |
| 9 | A celestial, fey, or similar creature gave me a blessing or revealed my secret origin. |
| 10 | Recruited into a lordâs army, I rose to leadership and was commended for my heroism. |
FEATURE: RUSTIC HOSPITALITY
Since you come from the ranks of the common folk, you fit in among them with ease. You can find a place to hide, rest, or recuperate among other commoners, unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them. They will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, though they will not risk their lives for you.
A folk hero is one of the common people, for better or for worse. Most folk heroes look on their humble origins as a virtue, not a shortcoming, and their home communities remain very important to them.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I judge people by their actions, not their words. |
| 2 | If someone is in trouble, Iâm always ready to lend help. |
| 3 | When I &Reference[set]{set} my mind to something, I follow through no matter what gets in my way. |
| 4 | I have a strong sense of fair play and always try to find the most equitable solution to arguments. |
| 5 | Iâm confident in my own abilities and do what I can to instill confidence in others. |
| 6 | Thinking is for other people. I prefer action. |
| 7 | I misuse long words in an attempt to sound smarter. |
| 8 | I get bored easily. When am I going to get on with my destiny? |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. (Good) |
| 2 | Fairness. No one should get preferential treatment before the law, and no one is above the law. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Freedom. Tyrants must not be allowed to oppress the people. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. If I become strong, I can take what I wantâwhat I deserve. (Evil) |
| 5 | Sincerity. Thereâs no good in pretending to be something Iâm not. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Destiny. Nothing and no one can steer me away from my higher calling. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a family, but I have no idea where they are. One day, I hope to see them again. |
| 2 | I worked the land, I love the land, and I will protect the land. |
| 3 | A proud noble once gave me a horrible beating, and I will take my revenge on any bully I encounter. |
| 4 | My tools are symbols of my past life, and I carry them so that I will never forget my roots. |
| 5 | I protect those who cannot protect themselves. |
| 6 | I wish my childhood sweetheart had come with me to pursue my destiny. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed. |
| 2 | Iâm convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of failure. |
| 3 | The people who knew me when I was young know my shameful secret, so I can never go home again. |
| 4 | I have a weakness for the vices of the city, especially hard drink. |
| 5 | Secretly, I believe that things would be better if I were a tyrant lording over the land. |
| 6 | I have trouble trusting in my allies. |
Since you come from the ranks of the common folk, you fit in among them with ease. You can find a place to hide, rest, or recuperate among other commoners, unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them. They will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, though they will not risk their lives for you.
\nYou understand wealth, power, and privilege. You carry a noble title, and your family owns land, collects taxes, and wields significant political influence. You might be a pampered aristocrat unfamiliar with work or discomfort, a former merchant just elevated to the nobility, or a disinherited scoundrel with a disproportionate sense of entitlement. Or you could be an honest, hard-working landowner who cares deeply about the people who live and work on your land, keenly aware of your responsibility to them.
Work with your DM to come up with an appropriate title and determine how much authority that title carries. A noble title doesnât stand on its ownâitâs connected to an entire family, and whatever title you hold, you will pass it down to your own children. Not only do you need to determine your noble title, but you should also work with the DM to describe your family and their influence on you.
Is your family old and established, or was your title only recently bestowed? How much influence do they wield, and over what area? What kind of reputation does your family have among the other aristocrats of the region? How do the common people regard them?
Whatâs your position in the family? Are you the heir to the head of the family? Have you already inherited the title? How do you feel about that responsibility? Or are you so far down the line of inheritance that no one cares what you do, as long as you donât embarrass the family? How does the head of your family feel about your adventuring career? Are you in your familyâs good graces, or shunned by the rest of your family?
Does your family have a coat of arms? An insignia you might wear on a signet ring? Particular colors you wear all the time? An animal you regard as a symbol of your line or even a spiritual member of the family?
These details help establish your family and youŽŹ=Śr title as features of the world of the campaign.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[his]{History}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming &Reference[set]{set}
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of pedigree, and a purse containing 25 gp
Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.
A knighthood is among the lowest noble titles in most societies, but it can be a path to higher status. If you wish to be a knight, choose the Retainers feature (see the sidebar) instead of the Position of Privilege feature. One of your commoner retainers is replaced by a noble who serves as your squire, aiding you in exchange for training on his or her own path to knighthood. Your two remaining retainers might include a groom to care for your horse and a servant who polishes your armor (and even helps you put it on).
As an emblem of chivalry and the ideals of courtly love, you might include among your equipment a banner or other token from a noble lord or lady to whom you have given your heartâin a chaste sort of devotion. (This person could be your bond.)
If your character has a noble background, you may select this background feature instead of Position of Privilege.
You have the service of three retainers loyal to your family. These retainers can be attendants or messengers, and one might be a majordomo. Your retainers are commoners who can perform mundane tasks for you, but they do not fight for you, will not follow you into obviously dangerous areas (such as dungeons), and will leave if they are frequently endangered or abused
Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.
\nYou spent years learning the lore of the multiverse. You scoured manuscripts, studied scrolls, and listened to the greatest experts on the subjects that interest you. Your efforts have made you a master in your fields of study.
To determine the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your scholarly training, roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below.
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alchemist |
| 2 | Astronomer |
| 3 | Discredited academic |
| 4 | Librarian |
| 5 | Professor |
| 6 | Researcher |
| 7 | Wizardâs apprentice |
| 8 | Scribe |
FEATURE: RESEARCHER
When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign.
Sages are defined by their extensive studies, and their characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to scholarly pursuits, a sage values knowledge highlyâsometimes in its own right, sometimes as a means toward other ideals.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I use polysyllabic words that convey the impression of great erudition. |
| 2 | Iâve read every book in the worldâs greatest librariesâor I like to boast that I have. |
| 3 | Iâm used to helping out those who arenât as smart as I am, and I patiently explain anything and everything to others. |
| 4 | Thereâs nothing I like more than a good mystery. |
| 5 | Iâm willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment. |
| 6 | I ⌠speak ⌠slowly ⌠when talking ⌠to idiots, ⌠which ⌠almost ⌠everyone ⌠is ⌠compared ⌠to me. |
| 7 | I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations. |
| 8 | Iâm convinced that people are always trying to steal my secrets. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Beauty. What is beautiful points us beyond itself toward what is true. (Good) |
| 3 | Logic. Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking. (Lawful) |
| 4 | No Limits. Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility inherent in all existence. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Power. Knowledge is the path to power and domination. (Evil) |
| 6 | Self-Improvement. The goal of a life of study is the betterment of oneself. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | It is my duty to protect my students. |
| 2 | I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands. |
| 3 | I work to preserve a library, university, scriptorium, or monastery. |
| 4 | My lifeâs work is a series of tomes related to a specific field of lore. |
| 5 | Iâve been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question. |
| 6 | I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it back. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am easily distracted by the promise of information. |
| 2 | Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I stop and take notes on its anatomy. |
| 3 | Unlocking an ancient mystery is worth the price of a civilization. |
| 4 | I overlook obvious solutions in favor of complicated ones. |
| 5 | I speak without really thinking through my words, invariably insulting others. |
| 6 | I canât keep a secret to save my life, or anyone elseâs. |
When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign.
\nWar 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 &Reference[sur]{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 nobleâs or merchantâs private army, or a mercenary company.
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:
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Officer |
| 2 | Scout |
| 3 | Infantry |
| 4 | Cavalry |
| 5 | Healer |
| 6 | Quartermaster |
| 7 | Standard bearer |
| 8 | Support staff (cook, blacksmith, or the like) |
FEATURE: 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.
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 | Iâm always polite and respectful. |
| 2 | Iâm haunted by memories of war. I canât get the images of violence out of my mind. |
| 3 | Iâve lost too many friends, and Iâm &Reference[slow]{slow} to make new ones. |
| 4 | Iâm 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 arenât 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 | Iâll 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 livesâand 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 | Iâd rather eat my armor than admit when Iâm wrong. |
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.
\nYou are haunted by something so terrible that you dare not speak of it. Youâve tried to bury it and run away from it, to no avail. Whatever this thing is that haunts you canât be slain with a sword or banished with a spell. It might come to you as a shadow on the wall, a bloodcurdling nightmare, a memory that refuses to die, or a demonic whisper in the dark. The burden has taken its toll, isolating you from most people and making you question your sanity. You must find a way to overcome it before it destroys you.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among &Reference[arc]{Arcana}, &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[rel]{Religion}, or &Reference[sur]{Survival}
Languages: Choose two, one of which must be Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, or Undercommon
Equipment: A monster hunterâs pack (containing a chest, a crowbar, a hammer, three wooden stakes, a holy symbol, a flask of holy water, a &Reference[set]{set} of manacles, a steel mirror, a flask of oil, a tinderbox, and 3 torches), one trinket of special significance (choose one or roll on the Horror Trinkets table after this background), a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, and 1 sp.
Prior to becoming an adventurer, your path in life was defined by one dark moment, one fateful decision, or one tragedy. Now you feel a darkness threatening to consume you, and you fear there may be no hope of escape. Choose a harrowing event that haunts you, or roll one on the Harrowing Events table.
| d10 | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 | A monster that slaughtered dozens of innocent people spared your life, and you donât know why. |
| 2 | You were born under a dark star. You can feel it watching you, coldly and distantly. Sometimes it beckons you in the dead of night. |
| 3 | An apparition that has haunted your family for generations now haunts you. You donât know what it wants, and it wonât leave you alone. |
| 4 | Your family has a &Reference[his]{history} of practicing the dark arts. You dabbled once and felt something horrible clutch at your soul, whereupon you fled in terror. |
| 5 | An oni took your sibling one cold, dark night, and you were unable to stop it. |
| 6 | You were cursed with lycanthropy and later cured. You are now haunted by the innocents you slaughtered. |
| 7 | A hag kidnapped and raised you. You escaped, but the hag still has a magical hold over you and fills your mind with evil thoughts. |
| 8 | You opened an eldritch tome and saw things unfit for a sane mind. You burned the book, but its words and images are burned into your psyche. |
| 9 | A fiend possessed you as a child. You were locked away but escaped. The fiend is still inside you, but now you try to keep it bottled up. |
| 10 | You did terrible things to avenge the murder of someone you loved. You became a monster, and it haunts your waking dreams. |
Those who look into your eyes can see that you have faced unimaginable horror and that you are no stranger to darkness. Though they might fear you, commoners will extend you every courtesy and do their utmost to help you. Unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them, they will even take up arms to fight alongside you, should you find yourself facing an enemy alone.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Alchemistâs supplies and tinkerâs tools.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the v6Ľ'work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: One gaming &Reference[set]{set} and vehicles (land).
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Brewerâs supplies and cookâs utensils.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Alchemistâs supplies and herbalism kit.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Thievesâ tools and tinkerâs tools.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standi#ş:4ćng in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Navigatorâs tools and vehicles (air and sea).
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Disguise kit and thievesâ tools.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: One gaming &Reference[set]{set} and vehicles (land).
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Disguise kit and one musical instrument.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may e+˙Ęncounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Calligrapherâs tools and forgery kit.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: One gaming &Reference[set]{set} and thievesâ tools.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: One musical instrument and poisonerâs kit.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: vehicles (land) and herbalism kit
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a missionŁžśń!, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nBeing who you are, you could never be a hero. Whether due to your class, your people, your family, or your sins, something about you prevents you from effectively pursuing the path youâve chosen. Even so, that doesnât stop you. Youâve left your old face behind, taking on a new persona, becoming something more.
Characters with the faceless background don a disguise â literally or otherwise â as they adventure. This persona might be dramatic or subtle. In a way, though, many characters have such larger than life personalities. Therefore, this background largely focuses on detailing the hero behind the mask.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[dec]{Deception}, &Reference[itm]{Intimidation}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit
Equipment: Disguise kit, a costume, a pouch containing 10 gp
A faceless character adventures behind the mask of a public persona. This persona is as natural to them as their hidden, true face, but it disguises their identity. Roll on the Faceless Persona table to determine your persona, or work with the DM to create a persona thatâs unique to your character and suits the tone of your game.
| d6 | Persona |
|---|---|
| 1 | A flamboyant spy or brigand |
| 2 | The incarnation of a nation or people |
| 3 | A scoundrel with a masked guise |
| 4 | A vengeful spirit |
| 5 | The manifestation of a deity or your faith |
| 6 | One whose beauty is greatly accented using makeup |
| 7 | An impersonation of another hero |
| 8 | The embodiment of a school of magic |
| 9 | A warrior with distinctive armor |
| 10 | A disguise with animalistic or monstrous characteristics, meant to inspire fear |
FEATURE: DUAL PERSONALITIES
Most of your fellow adventurers and the world know you as your persona. Those who seek to learn more about youâyour weaknesses, your origins, your purposeâfind themselves stymied by your disguise. Upon donning a disguise and behaving as your persona, you are unidentifiable as your true self. By removing your disguise and revealing your true face, you are no longer identifiable as your persona. This allows you to change appearances between your two personalities as often as you wish, using one to hide the other or serve as convenient camouflage. However, should someone realize the connection between your persona and your true self, your &Reference[dec]{deception} might lose its effectiveness.
A faceless character usually plays their persona â the hero or extraordinary person they are every day. Thatâs all a facade, though, or a part of them expressed to an extreme. To define a persona, feel free to choose characteristics from other backgrounds, particularly folk hero, hermit, or noble. For the person behind the persona, the one who truly strives to be faceless, consider a distinct &Reference[set]{set} of faceless characteristics. As a result, those with this background have two sets of characteristics, one for their persona, and one for their faceless selves.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm earnest and uncommonly direct. |
| 2 | I strive to have no personality â itâs easier to forget whatâs hardly there. |
| 3 | I treasure a memento of the person or instance that &Reference[set]{set} me upon my path. |
| 4 | I sleep just as much as I need to and on an unusual schedule. |
| 5 | I think far ahead, a detachedness often mistaken for daydreaming. |
| 6 | I cultivate a single obscure hobby or study and eagerly discuss it at length. |
| 7 | I am ever learning how to be among others â when to stay quiet, when to laugh. |
| 8 | I behave like an extreme opposite of my persona. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Justice. Place in society shouldnât determine oneâs access to what is right. (Good) |
| 2 | Security. Doing what must be done canât bring the innocent to harm. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Confusion. &Reference[dec]{Deception} is a weapon. Strike from where your foes wonât expect. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Infamy. My name will be a malediction, a curse that fulfills my will. (Evil) |
| 5 | Incorruptibility. Be a symbol, and leave your flawed being behind. (Any) |
| 6 | Anonymity. Itâs my deeds that should be remembered, not their instrument. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I do everything for my family. My first thought is keeping them safe. |
| 2 | What I do, I do for the world. The people donât realize how much they need me. |
| 3 | Iâve seen too many in need. I must not fail them as everyone else has. |
| 4 | I stand in opposition, less the wicked go unopposed. |
| 5 | I am exceptional. I do this because no one else can, and no one can stop me. |
| 6 | I do everything for those who were taken from me. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am callous about death. It comes to us all eventually. |
| 2 | I never make eye contact or hold it unflinchingly. |
| 3 | I have no sense of humor. Laughing is uncomfortable and embarrassing. |
| 4 | I overexert myself, sometimes needing to recuperate for a day or more. |
| 5 | I think far ahead, a detachedness often mistaken for daydreaming. |
| 6 | I see morality entirely in black and white. |
Most of your fellow adventurers and the world know you as your persona. Those who seek to learn more about youâyour weaknesses, your origins, your purposeâfind themselves stymied by your disguise. Upon donning a disguise and behaving as your persona, you are unidentifiable as your true self. By removing your disguise and revealing your true face, you are no longer identifiable as your persona. This allows you to change appearances between your two personalities as often as you wish, using one to hide the other or serve as convenient camouflage. However, should someone realize the connection between your persona and your true self, your &Reference[dec]{deception} might lose its effectiveness.
\nItâs said that every faith in the world has a believer in Baldurâs Gate. Not only are most established faiths tolerated â even if some of them, including most of the openly evil faiths, are relegated to the Outer Cityâs Twin Songs neighborhood â but new ones arrive constantly, carried by travelers and proselytizers from far-flung lands. A character with this background might aspire to greater things, not for themselves, but for their faith.
You have spent your life in the service of a temple to a specific god or pantheon of gods. You act as an intermediary between the realm of the holy and the mortal world, performing sacred rites and offering sacrifices in order to conduct worshipers into the presence of the divine. You are not necessarily a clericâperforming sacred rites is not the same thing as channeling divine power.
Choose a god, a pantheon of gods, or some other quasi-divine being, and work with your DM to detail the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your religious service. The Gods of the Multiverse section contains a sample pantheon, from the Forgotten Realms setting. Were you a lesser functionary in a temple, raised from childhood to assist the priests in the sacred rites? Or were you a high priest who suddenly experienced a call to serve your god in a different way? Perhaps you were the leader of a small cult outside of any established temple structure, or even an occult group that served a fiendish master that you now deny.
FEATURE: SHELTER OF THE FAITHFUL
As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your &Reference[rel]{religion} will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY
Youâre tightly connected with the religious community of Baldurâs Gate. You know if a deity has a following in the city and any places that faith openly congregates and the neighborhoods those faithful typically inhabit. While this isnât remarkable for most of the cityâs larger faiths, keeping track of the hundreds of religions newcomers bring with them is no mean feat.
Acolytes are shaped by their experience in temples or other religious communities. Their study of the &Reference[his]{history} and tenets of their faith and their relationships to temples, shrines, or hierarchies affect their mannerisms and ideals. Their flaws might be some hidden hypocrisy or heretical idea, or an ideal or bond taken to an extreme.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I idolize a particular hero of my faith, and constantly refer to that personâs deeds and example. |
| 2 | I can find common ground between the fiercest enemies, empathizing with them and always working toward peace. |
| 3 | I see omens in every event and action. The gods try to speak to us, we just need to listen. |
| 4 | Nothing can shake my optimistic attitude. |
| 5 | I quote (or misquote) sacred texts and proverbs in almost every situation. |
| 6 | I am tolerant (or intolerant) of other faiths and respect (or condemn) the worship of other gods. |
| 7 | Iâve enjoyed fine food, drink, and high society among my templeâs elite. Rough living grates on me. |
| 8 | Iâve spent so long in the temple that I have little practical experience dealing with people in the outside world. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tradition. The ancient traditions of worship and sacrifice must be preserved and upheld. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Charity. I always try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good) |
| 3 | Change. We must help bring about the changes the gods are constantly working in the world. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I hope to one day rise to the top of my faithâs religious hierarchy. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Faith. I trust that my deity will guide my actions. I have faith that if I work hard, things will go well. (Lawful) |
| 6 | Aspiration. I seek to prove myself worthy of my godâs favor by matching my actions against his or her teachings. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would die to recover an ancient relic of my faith that was lost long ago. |
| 2 | I will someday get revenge on the corrupt temple hierarchy who branded me a heretic. |
| 3 | I owe my life to the priest who took me in when my parents died. |
| 4 | Everything I do is for the common people. |
| 5 | I will do anything to protect the temple where I served. |
| 6 | I seek to preserve a sacred text that my enemies consider heretical and seek to destroy. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely. |
| 2 | I put too much trust in those who wield power within my templeâs hierarchy. |
| 3 | My piety sometimes leads me to blindly trust those that profess faith in my god. |
| 4 | I am inflexible in my thinking. |
| 5 | I am suspicious of strangers and expect the worst of them. |
| 6 | Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life. |
As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your &Reference[rel]{religion} will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.
Everybodyâs always trying to get a leg up on somebody in Baldurâs Gate. One groupâs con artist might be anotherâs revolutionary. Or maybe youâre just in it for yourself. In any case, characters with this background have a plan to hit the big time; all they need is audacity and a little time.
You have always had a way with people. You know what makes them tick, you can tease out their heartsâ desires after a few minutes of conversation, and with a few leading questions you can read them like they were childrenâs books. Itâs a useful talent, and one that youâre perfectly willing to use for your advantage.
You know what people want and you deliver, or rather, you promise to deliver. Common sense should steer people away from things that sound too good to be true, but common sense seems to be in short supply when youâre around. The bottle of pink-colored liquid will surely cure that unseemly rash, this ointment â nothing more than a bit of fat with a sprinkle of silver dust â can restore youth and vigor, and thereâs a bridge in the city that just happens to be for sale. These marvels sound implausible, but you make them sound like the real deal.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[dec]{Deception}, &Reference[slt]{Sleight of Hand}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, Forgery kit
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, a disguise kit, tools of the con of your choice (ten stoppered bottles filled with colored liquid, a &Reference[set]{set} of weighted dice, a deck of marked cards, or a signet ring of an imaginary duke), and a pouch containing 15 gp
Every charlatan has an angle he or she uses in preference to other schemes. Choose a favorite scam or roll on the table below.
| d6 | Scam |
|---|---|
| 1 | I cheat at games of chance. |
| 2 | I shave coins or forge documents. |
| 3 | I insinuate myself into peopleâs lives to prey on their weakness and secure their fortunes. |
| 4 | I put on new identities like clothes. |
| 5 | I run sleight-of-hand cons on street corners. |
| 6 | I convince people that worthless junk is worth their hard-earned money. |
FEATURE: FALSE IDENTITY
You have created a second identity that includes documentation, established acquaintances, and disguises that allow you to assume that persona. Additionally, you can forge documents including official papers and pers â-B$onal letters, as long as you have seen an example of the kind of document or the handwriting you are trying to copy.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: LONG-LOST HEIR
Youâre well-versed in the mannerisms and idiosyncrasies of Baldurian patriars and other nobles, imitating them smoothly enough to convince even the snootiest family heads of your authenticity. Youâre skilled at posing as the long-lost heir to some imaginary or extinguished patriar lineage.
Because of your skill in passing yourself off as a patriar, you have a Watch token that allows you alone into the Upper City of Baldurâs Gate. You might be able to bluff others through with you, or even convince members of the Watch that youâre a patriar. However, any true test of your authenticity is likely to reveal your &Reference[dec]{deception}.
Charlatans are colorful characters who conceal their true selves behind the masks they construct. They reflect what people want to see, what they want to believe, and how they see the world. But their true selves are sometimes plagued by an uneasy conscience, an old enemy, or deep-seated trust issues.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I fall in and out of love easily, and am always pursuing someone. |
| 2 | I have a joke for every occasion, especially occasions where humor is inappropriate. |
| 3 | Flattery is my preferred trick for getting what I want. |
| 4 | Iâm a born gambler who canât resist taking a risk for a potential payoff. |
| 5 | I lie about almost everything, even when thereâs no good reason to. |
| 6 | Sarcasm and insults are my weapons of choice. |
| 7 | I keep multiple holy symbols on me and invoke whatever deity might come in useful at any given moment. |
| 8 | I pocket anything I see that might have some value. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Independence. I am a free spiritâno one tells me what to do. (Chaotic) |
| 2 | Fairness. I never target people who canât afford to lose a few coins. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Charity. I distribute the money I acquire to the people who really need it. (Good) |
| 4 | Creativity. I never run the same con twice. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Friendship. Material goods come and go. Bonds of friendship last forever. (Good) |
| 6 | Aspiration. Iâm determined to make something of myself. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I fleeced the wrong person and must work to ensure that this individual never crosses paths with me or those I care about. |
| 2 | I owe everything to my mentorâa horrible person whoâs probably rotting in jail somewhere. |
| 3 | Somewhere out there, I have a child who doesnât know me. Iâm making the world better for him or her. |
| 4 | I come from a noble family, and one day Iâll reclaim my lands and title from those who stole them from me. |
| 5 | A powerful person killed someone I love. Some day soon, Iâll have my revenge. |
| 6 | I swindled and ruined a person who didnât deserve it. I seek to atone for my misdeeds but might never be able to forgive myself. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I canât resist a pretty face. |
| 2 | Iâm always in debt. I spend my ill-gotten gains on decadent luxuries faster than I bring them in... |
| 3 | Iâm convinced that no one could ever fool me the way I fool others. |
| 4 | Iâm too greedy for my own good. I canât resist taking a risk if thereâs money involved. |
| 5 | I canât resist swindling people who are more powerful than me. |
| 6 | I hate to admit it and will hate myself for it, but Iâll run and preserve my own hide if the going gets tough. |
You have created a second identity that includes documentation, established acquaintances, and disguises that allow you to assume that persona. Additionally, you can forge documents including official papers and personal letters, as long as you have seen an example of the kind of document or the handwriting you are trying to copy.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Long-Lost Heir
Youâre well-versed in the mannerisms and idiosyncrasies of Baldurian patriars and other nobles, imitating them smoothly enough to convince even the snootiest family heads of your authenticity. Youâre skilled at posing as the long-lost heir to some imaginary or extinguished patriar lineage.
Because of your skill in passing yourself off as a patriar, you have a Watch token that allows you alone into the Upper City of Baldurâs Gate. You might be able to bluff others through with you, or even convince members of the Watch that youâre a patriar. However, any true test of your authenticity is likely to reveal your &Reference[dec]{deception}.
\nNo career criminal in Baldurâs Gate operates without being aware of the Guild. Some studiously keep a low profile, carrying just the occasional smuggled load in with legitimate merchandise, or only breaking knees when it can plausibly be claimed as an act of personal revenge. Others join up with crews for protection, or with the Guild itself. A few former Guild members have been cast out of the organization due to incompetence or after offending a more powerful member, and now shuffle for scraps to survive.
You are an experienced criminal with a &Reference[his]{history} of breaking the law. You have spent a lot of time among other criminals and still have contacts within the criminal underworld. Youâre far closer than most people to the world of murder, theft, and violence that pervades the underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society.
Criminals are pervasive in Baldurâs Gate. If you wish, you may roll on the Criminal Origins table for an event that began your life of crime.
| d8 | ORIGINS |
|---|---|
| 1 | You crippled a Guild kingpinâs cousin without realizing the connection. You got the Guild to back off demands for your death by offering to make amends by working for the criminals, but even so the kingpin still plots a personal revenge. |
| 2 | The Guild took over your family business, ran it into the ground, and burned the building for insurance money. You were driven into crime yourself, but youâll never work for the Guild. You take special joy in hitting its targets first, tipping off its con victims and otherwise frustrating its schemes. |
| 3 | Itâs always been about money. Youâre not paid what youâre worth, working for someone who has more than they deserve. But the Guild offered you a way to fix that. You keep doing what youâve always done â guard work, dock labor, business accounting â but what you learn you pass on to the Guild. |
| 4 | The inequality of Baldurâs Gate has driven you to take matters into your own hands. You steal from patriars and rich Lower City residents, funneling the money through charitable fronts to help the needy. |
| 5 | You got into crime as a bored patriar looking for excitement. Your family has no idea of your activities, and neither does the Guild. If either of them ever finds out, your life as you know it will be over. |
| 6 | A close friend or relative joined the Guild and vanished mysteriously. Youâve worked your way into the lower ranks hoping to find out what happened to them. |
| 7 | Youâve always wanted to be a member of the Guild. As a child, you looked up to the Guild membersâ swagger, their flashy dress, and their competence, which all marked them as different from the other adults you knew. As soon as you could, you joined the organization. |
| 8 | To you, this is just a way to earn a living. You go to work, do what needs to be done, and get paid. Anyone who pursues crime for thrill-seeking, to strike back at unjust authorities, or anything else are amateurs, and theyâre liable to get you arrested or killed with their idiocy. |
FEATURE: CRIMINAL CONTACT
You have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as your liaison to a network of other criminals. You know how to get messages to and from your contact, even over great distances; specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: CRIMINAL CONNECTIONS
In Baldurâs Gate, crime is just another business. As a result, you can arrange a meeting with a low-ranking operative of nearly any business, patriar family, crew, government institution, or â certainly â the Guild. This operative will hear you out and, at their discretion, take your information or request up their chain of command. These meetings almost always occur in shady venues.
Although your capabilities are not much different from those of a burglar or smuggler, you learned and practiced them in a very different context: as an espionage agent. You might have been an officially sanctioned agent of the crown, or perhaps you sold the secrets you uncovered to the highest bidder.
Criminals might seem like villains on the surface, and many of them are villainous to the core. But some have an abundance of endearing, if not redeeming, characteristics. There might be honor among thieves, but criminals rarely show any respect for law or authority.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong. |
| 2 | I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me. |
| 3 | The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuableâor where such things could be hidden. |
| 4 | I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy. |
| 5 | I am incredibly &Reference[slow]{slow} to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. |
| 6 | I donât pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. |
| 7 | The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I canât do it. |
| 8 | I blow up at the slightest insult. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Honor. I donât steal from others in the trade. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Charity. I steal from the wealthy so that I can help people in need. (Good) |
| 4 | Greed. I will do whatever it takes to become wealthy. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. Iâm loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I care. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Redemption. Thereâs a spark of good in everyone. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor. |
| 2 | My ill-gotten gains go to support my family. |
| 3 | Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back. |
| 4 | I will become the greatest thief that ever lived. |
| 5 | Iâm guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it. |
| 6 | Someone I loved died because of I mistake I made. That will never happen again. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | When I see something valuable, I canât think about anything but how to steal it. |
| 2 | When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money. |
| 3 | If thereâs a plan, Iâll forget it. If I donât forget it, Iâll ignore it. |
| 4 | I have a âtellâ that reveals when Iâm lying. |
| 5 | I turn tail and run when things look bad. |
| 6 | An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. Iâm okay with that. |
You have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as your liaison to a network of other criminals. You know how to get messages to and from your contact, even over great distances; specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Criminal Connections
In Baldurâs Gate, crime is just another business. As a result, you can arrange a meeting with a low-ranking operative of nearly any business, patriar family, crew, government institution, or â certainly â the Guild. This operative will hear you out and, at their discretion, take your information or request up their chain of command. These meetings almost always occur in shady venues.
\nFrom the Oasis Theaterâs spectacular singers and acrobats to the pantomimes and shadow puppeteers of the Wide, Baldurâs Gate hosts a colorful array of performers. Good acts can always find ready audiences, and the constant flow of travelers means that both new spectators and new spectacles are always passing through.
You thrive in front of an audience. You know how to entrance them, entertain them, and even inspire them. Your poetics can stir the hearts of those who hear you, awakening grief or joy, laughter or anger. Your music raises their spirits or captures their sorrow. Your dance steps captivate, your humor cuts to the quick. Whatever techniques you use, your art is your life.
Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, &Reference[prf]{Performance}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, one type of musical instrument
Equipment: A musical instrument (one of your choice), the favor of an admirer (love letter, lock of hair, or trinket), a costume, and a pouch containing 15 gp
A good entertainer is versatile, spicing up every &Reference[prf]{performance} with a variety of different routines. Choose one to three routines or roll on the table below to define your expertise as an entertainer.
| d10 | Entertainer Routine |
|---|---|
| 1 | Actor |
| 2 | Dancer |
| 3 | Fire-eater |
| 4 | Jester |
| 5 | Juggler |
| 6 | Instrumentalist |
| 7 | Poet |
| 8 | Singer |
| 9 | Storyteller |
| 10 | Tumbler |
FEATURE: BY POPULAR DEMAND
You can always find a place to perform, usually in an inn or tavern but possibly with a circus, at a theater, or even in a nobleâs court. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food of a modest or comfortable standard (depending on the quality of the establishment), as long as you perform each night. In addition, your &Reference[prf]{performance} makes you something of a local figure. When strangers recognize you in a town where you have performed, they typically take a liking to you.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: BACKSTAGE PASS
Youâve learned that most of the real business of entertainment (or any other venture) happens behind the scenes. Itâs easy for you to case what sorts of audiences attend what venue â like how toughs gather at the Blushing Mermaid or how brash patriars congregate at the Helm and Cloak. After a successful &Reference[prf]{performance}, you may meet an enthusiastic member of the crowd â someone of an occupation or social class that frequents the establishment. This contact is delighted to talk with you, and to listen.
A gladiator is as much an entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can enjoy. This kind of flashy combat is your entertainer routine, though you might also have some skills as a tumbler or actor. Using your By Popular Demand feature, you can find a place to perform in any place that features combat for entertainment â perhaps a gladiatorial arena or secret pit fighting club. You can replace the musical instrument in your equipment package with an inexpensive but unusual weapon, such as a trident or net.
Successful entertainers have to be able to capture and hold an audienceâs attention, so they tend to have flamboyant or forceful personalities. Theyâre inclined toward the romantic and often cling to high-minded ideals about the practice of art and the appreciation of beauty.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I know a story relevant to almost every situation. |
| 2 | Whenever I come to a new place, I collect local rumors and spread gossip. |
| 3 | Iâm a hopeless romantic, always searching for that âspecial someone.â |
| 4 | Nobody stays angry at me or around me for long, since I can defuse any amount of tension. |
| 5 | I love a good insult, even one directed at me. |
| 6 | I get bitter if Iâm not the center of attention. |
| 7 | Iâll settle for nothing less than perfection. |
| 8 | I change my mood or my mind as quickly as I change key in a song. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beauty. When I perform, I make the world better than it was. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. The stories, legends, and songs of the past must never be forgotten, for they teach us who we are. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Creativity. The world is in need of new ideas and bold action. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Greed. Iâm only in it for the money and fame. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. I like seeing the smiles on peopleâs faces when I perform. Thatâs all that matters. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Honesty. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone I love. |
| 2 | Someone stole my precious instrument, and someday Iâll get it back. |
| 3 | I want to be famous, whatever it takes. |
| 4 | I idolize a hero of the old tales and measure my deeds against that personâs. |
| 5 | I will do anything to prove myself superior to my hated rival. |
| 6 | I would do anything for the other members of my old troupe. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâll do anything to win fame and renown. |
| 2 | Iâm a sucker for a pretty face. |
| 3 | A scandal prevents me from ever going home again. That kind of trouble seems to follow me around. |
| 4 | I once satirized a noble who still wants my head. It was a mistake that I will likely repeat. |
| 5 | I have trouble keeping my true feelings hiddŢS0Ęűen. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble. |
| 6 | Despite my best efforts, I am unreliable to my friends. |
You can always find a place to perform, usually in an inn or tavern but possibly with a circus, at a theater, or even in a nobleâs court. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food of a modest or comfortable standard (depending on the quality of the establishment), as long as you perform each night. In addition, your &Reference[prf]{performance} makes you something of a local figure. When strangers recognize you in a town where you have performed, they typically take a liking to you.
Baldurâs Gate is a city badly in need of heroes, and every so often, one rises from among its own. Ordinary people who rise to greatness are beloved in local &Reference[his]{history}, but the popular imagination can turn on such champions almost as quickly as it anoints them.
You come from a humble social rank, but you are destined for so much more. Already the people of your home village regard you as their champion, and your destiny calls you to stand against the tyrants and monsters that threaten the common folk everywhere.
Folk heroes might rise from a variety of circumstances, or their origins might be a secret as they do their work anonymously. If you wish, you may roll on the Folk Hero Origins table for an event that started you down your heroic path..
| d10 | Origin |
|---|---|
| 1 | You helped get healing for a sick child. Now the sick come to you, knowing youâll help them find a way to salvation. |
| 2 | You helped break a Guild protection racket afflicting a community of immigrants in the Outer City. Now, you canât travel through that part of the city without your dozen adopted grandparents inviting you in for a meal. |
| 3 | Seeing a lost patriar after dark in the Outer City, you guided the wayward noble through back streets to safety. The patriar repaid your help by paying for improved roofs and lamps in your neighborhood, causing the entire community to celebrate your deed. |
| 4 | Fueled by alcohol, you faced down a carrion crawler that slunk out of the sewer, knocking it out with a single punch. Since then, however, the ale you once credited with your heroism has drowned it, and even your most patient admirers are losing hope. Youâre hoping for one last chance to win back the goodwill youâve drunk away. |
| 5 | You once defeated a raging bugbear with a hand mirror, a mounted deerâs head, and two kicks to the groin. Later, you and the bugbear became friends. |
| 6 | Last winter, you dove into the frigid river to haul out a foundering fishing boat with your bare hands, saving all aboard. Now, everyone on the docks knows your name. |
FEATURE: RUSTIC HOSPITALITY
Since you come from the ranks of the common folk, you fit in among them with ease. You can find a place to hide, rest, or recuperate among other commoners, unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them. They will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, though they will not risk their lives for you.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: SOCIAL VENGEANCE
Youâve lived your entire life in the Lower or Outer City of Baldurâs Gate. You grew up seeing arrogant patriars flaunt their wealth while your hardworking neighbors struggled. As a result, you know how eager commoners in Baldurâs Gate are to see any patriar get what they deserve. While in a busy part of the Lower City or Outer City of Baldurâs Gate, you can spend 2d10 minutes to convince 1d6 commoners to perform a non-illegal act that inconveniences a member of the Watch or Flaming Fist, a patriar, or some other wealthy looking individual.
A folk hero is one of the common people, for better or for worse. Most folk heroes look on their humble origins as a virtue, not a shortcoming, and their home communities remain very important to them.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I judge people by their actions, not their words. |
| 2 | If someone is in trouble, Iâm always ready to lend help. |
| 3 | When I &Reference[set]{set} my mind to something, I follow through no matter what gets in my way. |
| 4 | I have a strong sense of fair play and always try to find the most equitable solution to arguments. |
| 5 | Iâm confident in my own abilities and do what I can to instill confidence in others. |
| 6 | Thinking is for other people. I prefer action. |
| 7 | I misuse long words in an attempt to sound smarter. |
| 8 | I get bored easily. When am I going to get on with my destiny? |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. (Good) |
| 2 | Fairness. No one should get preferential treatment before the law, and no one is above the law. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Freedom. Tyrants must not be allowed to oppress the people. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. If I become strong, I can take what I wantâwhat I deserve. (Evil) |
| 5 | Sincerity. Thereâs no good in pretending to be something Iâm not. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Destiny. Nothing and no one can steer me away from my higher calling. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a family, but I have no idea where they are. One day, I hope to see them again. |
| 2 | I worked the land, I love the land, and I will protect the land. |
| 3 | A proud noble once gave me a horrible beating, and I will take my revenge on any bully I encounter. |
| 4 | My tools are symbols of my past life, and I carry them so that I will never forget my roots. |
| 5 | I protect those who cannot protect themselves. |
| 6 | I wish my childhood sweetheart had come with me to pursue my destiny. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed. |
| 2 | Iâm convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of failure. |
| 3 | The people who knew me when I was young know my shameful secret, so I can never go home again. |
| 4 | I have a weakness for the vices of the city, especially hard drink. |
| 5 | Secretly, I believe that things would be better if I were a tyrant lording over the land. |
| 6 | I have trouble trusting in my allies. |
Since you come from the ranks of the common folk, you fit in among them with ease. You can find a place to hide, rest, or recuperate among other commoners, unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them. They will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, though they will not risk their lives for you.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Social Vengeance
Youâve lived your entire life in the Lower or Outer City of Baldurâs Gate. You grew up seeing arrogant patriars flaunt their wealth while your hardworking neighbors struggled. As a result, you know how eager commoners in Baldurâs Gate are to see any patriar get what they deserve. While in a busy part of the Lower City or Outer City of Baldurâs Gate, you can spend 2d10 minutes to convince 1d6 commoners to perform a non-illegal act that inconveniences a member of the Watch or Flaming Fist, a patriar, or some other wealthy looking individual.
\nNumerous guilds and professional associations exist in Baldurâs Gate, covering every imaginable trade and discipline from gravediggers to moneylenders.
You are a member of an artisanâs guild, skilled in a particular field and closely associated with other artisans. You are a well-established part of the mercantile world, freed by talent and wealth from the constraints of a feudal social order. You learned your skills as an apprentice to a master artisan, under the sponsorship of your guild, until you became a master in your own right.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ins]{Insight}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisanâs tools
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of artisanâs tools (one of your choice), a letter of introduction from your guild, a &Reference[set]{set} of travelerâs clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp
Guilds are generally found in cities large enough to support several artisans practicing the same trade. However, your guild might instead be a loose network of artisans who each work in a different village within a larger realm. Work with your DM to determine the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your guild. You can select your guild business from the Guild Business table or roll randomly.
| d20 | Guild Business |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alchemists and apothecaries |
| 2 | Armorers, locksmiths, and finesmiths |
| 3 | Brewers, distillers, and vintners |
| 4 | Calligraphers, scribes, and scriveners |
| 5 | Carpenters, roofers, and plasterers |
| 6 | Cartographers, surveyors, and chart-makers |
| 7 | Cobblers and shoemakers |
| 8 | Cooks and bakers |
| 9 | Glassblowers and glaziers |
| 10 | Jewelers and gemcutters |
| 11 | Leatherworkers, skinners, and tanners |
| 12 | Masons and stonecutters |
| 13 | Painters, limners, and sign-makers |
| 14 | Potters and tile-makers |
| 15 | Shipwrights and sailmakers |
| 16 | Smiths and metal-forgers |
| 17 | Tinkers, pewterers, and casters |
| 18 | Wagon-makers and wheelwrights |
| 19 | Weavers and dyers |
| 20 | Woodcarvers, coopers, and bowyers |
As a member of your guild, you know the skills needed to create finished items from raw materials (reflected in your proficiency with a certain kind of artisanâs tools), as well as the principles of trade and good business practices. The question now is whether you abandon your trade for adventure, or take on the extra effort to weave adventuring and trade together.
As an established and respected member of a guild, you can rely on certain benefits that membership provides. Your fellow guild members will provide you with lodging and food if necessary, and pay for your funeral if needed. In some cities and towns, a guildhall offers a central place to meet other members of your profession, which can be a good place to meet potential patrons, allies, or hirelings.
Guilds often wield tremendous political power. If you are accused of a crime, your guild will support you if a good case can be made for your innocence or the crime is justifiable. You can also gain access to powerful political figures through the guild, if you are a member in good standing. Such connections might require the donation of money or magic items to the guildâs coffers.
You must pay dues of 5 gp per month to the guild. If you miss payments, you must make up back dues to remain in the guildâs good graces.
Youâre familiar with the cityâs crews, their territories, and inter-crew politics. Choose one of the three districts of Baldurâs Gate: the Upper City, the Lower City, or the Outer City. This is the district where you conduct most of your business. Whenever you need information about something in one of that districtâs neighborhoods, you can seek out crew members in that area and learn the local gossip. You can also gain unimpeded entry to nearly any bank, guild hall, place of business, workhouse, or crew meeting place in your district.
Instead of an artisansâ guild, you might belong to a guild of traders, caravan masters, or shopkeepers. You donât craft items yourself but earn a living by buying and selling the works of others (or the raw materials artisans need to practice their craft). Your guild might be a large merchant consortium (or family) with interests across the region. Perhaps you transported goods from one place to another, by ship, wagon, or caravan, or bought them from traveling traders and sold them in your own little shop. In some ways, the traveling merchantâs life lends itself to adventure far more than the life of an artisan.
As an established and respected member of a guild, you can rely on certain benefits that membership provides. Your fellow guild members will provide you with lodging and food if necessary, and pay for your funeral if needed. In some cities and towns, a guildhall offers a central place to meet other members of your profession, which can be a good place to meet potential patrons, allies, or hirelings.
Guilds often wield tremendous political power. If you are accused of a crime, your guild will support you if a good case can be made for your innocence or the crime is justifiable. You can also gain access to powerful political figures through the guild, if you are a member in good standing. Such connections might require the donation of money or magic items to the guildâs coffers.
You must pay dues of 5 gp per month to the guild. If you miss payments, you must make up back dues to remain in the guildâs good graces.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Professional Courtesy
Youâre familiar with the cityâs crews, their territories, and inter-crew politics. Choose one of the three districts of Baldurâs Gate: the Upper City, the Lower City, or the Outer City. This is the district where you conduct most of your business. Whenever you need information about something in one of that districtâs neighborhoods, you can seek out crew members in that area and learn the local gossip. You can also gain unimpeded entry to nearly any bank, guild hall, place of business, workhouse, or crew meeting place in your district.
\nWhile some might think it strange to find hermits in a bustling city, others know that sometimes the most profound solitude exists in the midst of a crowd. Baldurâs Gate holds a handful of souls who manage to find isolation amid its tumult.
You lived in seclusion â either in a sheltered community such as a monastery, or entirely aloneâfor a formative part of your life. In your time apart from the clamor of society, you found quiet, solitude, and perhaps some of the answers you were looking for.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[med]{Medicine}, &Reference[rel]{Religion}
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A scroll case stuffed full of notes from your studies or prayers, a winter blanket, a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, an herbalism kit, and 5 gp
Any number of personal choices or ill-fated circumstances might have led you to turn away from society. You may, if you wish, choose or roll an origin event from the Hermit Origins table.
| d8 | Life of Seclusion |
|---|---|
| 1 | You led an ill-fated expedition into the Riverveins. Your friends were swept away by flooding, and youâve never been able to shake the guilt of causing their deaths over a frivolous lark. Youâve maintained a solitary vigil outside the cavern entrance ever since. |
| 2 | You crossed the Guild in a bad way. Fortunately, its members think youâre dead. Less fortunately, maintaining that &Reference[dec]{deception} might require you to stay in hiding until you actually are. |
| 3 | You study the puzzles of mortal natures. Youâve seen followers of evil deities perform miracles for the helpless at Twin Songs, and youâve seen patriars who worship good deities turn their backs on the poor daily. Bearing witness to such things, and meditating on their contradictions, fills your hours. |
| 4 | You tend to some part of the cityâs forgotten history: the unmarked graves in Cliffside Cemetery, the crumbling remains of dead patriar familiesâ manors, or a collection of religious texts stuffed into an attic and forgotten when a believerâs patron deity died. In this solitary work, youâve learned secrets no one else knows. |
| 5 | You killed a patriarâs scion in an illegal duel. The family swore revenge, and you fled to the slums rather than risk bringing their wrath down on your kin. |
| 6 | You arenât originally from Baldurâs Gate. You came here seeking something else, only to learn that the quest that drove you had become impossible to fulfillâits object was destroyed or its purpose was negated by some superseding event. Suddenly directionless and unable to return to your homeland, you have lingered, adrift, in this wretched city. |
The quiet seclusion of your extended hermitage gave you access to a unique and powerful discovery. The exact &Reference[nat]{nature} of this revelation depends on the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your seclusion. It might be a great truth about the cosmos, the deities, the powerful beings of the outer planes, or the forces of &Reference[nat]{nature}. It could be a site that no one else has ever seen. You might have uncovered a fact that has long been forgotten, or unearthed some relic of the past that could rewrite &Reference[his]{history}. It might be information that would be damaging to the people who consigned you to exile, and hence the reason for your return to society.
Work with your DM to determine the details of your discovery and its impact on the campaign.
You know the Baldurâs Gate most Baldurians ignore, the dog-eat-dog world of the homeless and unfortunate. You know where to go in the Lower City and Outer City for anonymity. In these slums and alley camps, you can get a damp bed and a bad meal, but also a degree of privacy and no questions asked. Living here isnât comfortable, but itâs unlikely anyone will find youâand you can stay as long as you want.
This hermit background assumes a contemplative sort of seclusion that allows room for study and prayer. If you want to play a rugged wilderness recluse who lives off the land while shunning the company of other people, look at the outlander background. On the other hand, if you want to go in a more religious direction, the acolyte might be what youâre looking for. Or you could even be a charlatan, posing as a wise and holy person and letting pious fools support you.
The quiet seclusion of your extended hermitage gave you access to a unique and powerful discovery. The exact &Reference[nat]{nature} of this revelation depends on the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your seclusion. It might be a great truth about the cosmos, the deities, the powerful beings of the outer planes, or the forces of &Reference[nat]{nature}. It could be a site that no one else has ever seen. You might have uncovered a fact that has long been forgotten, or unearthed some relic of the past that could rewrite &Reference[his]{history}. It might be information that would be damaging to the people who consigned you to exile, and hence the reason for your return to society.
Work with your DM to determine the details of your discovery and its impact on the campaign.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: The Real City
You know the Baldurâs Gate most Baldurians ignore, the dog-eat-dog world of the homeless and unfortunate. You know where to go in the Lower City and Outer City for anonymity. In these slums and alley camps, you can get a damp bed and a bad meal, but also a degree of privacy and no questions asked. Living here isnât comfortable, but itâs unlikely anyone will find youâand you can stay as long as you want.
\nYou understand wealth, power, and privilege. You carry a noble title, and your family owns land, collects taxes, and wields significant political influence. You might be a pampered aristocrat unfamiliar with work or discomfort, a former merchant just elevated to the nobility, or a disinherited scoundrel with a disproportionate sense of entitlement. Or you could be an honest, hard-working landowner who cares deeply about the people who live and work on your land, keenly aware of your responsibility to them.
Work with your DM to come up with an appropriate title and determine how much authority that title carries. A noble title doesnât stand on its ownâitâs connected to an entire family, and whatever title you hold, you will pass it down to your own children. Not only do you need to determine your noble title, but you should also work with the DM to describe your family and their influence on you.
Is your family old and established, or was your title only recently bestowed? How much influence do they wield, and over what area? What kind of reputation does your family have among the other aristocrats of the region? How do the common people regard them?
Whatâs your position in the family? Are you the heir to the head of the family? Have you already inherited the title? How do you feel about that responsibility? Or are you so far down the line of inheritance that no one cares what you do, as long as you donât embarrass the family? How does the head of your family feel about your adventuring career? Are you in your familyâs good graces, or shunned by the rest of your family?
Does your family have a coat of arms? An insignia you might wear on a signet ring? Particular colors you wear all the time? An animal you regard as a symbol of your line or even a spiritual member of the family?
These details help establish your family and your title as features of the world of the campaign.
The patriars of Baldurâs Gate live in the Upper City, where they host grand galas and flaunt cosmopolitan fashions, but are walled off from the poverty and squalor of the less fortunate districts and their neighborhoods. Although they might visit prosperous Bloomridge to try a fashionable restaurant or boutique, or watch a spectacle at the Oasis Theater, the patriars have little reason to venture into the dirtier, more dangerous parts of the city. If they do, it is generally as thrill-seeking tourists or enclosed by a retinue of armed guards, not as friends or neighbors. As a result, many patriars are at once acutely attuned to the nuances of royal courts half a continent away and shockingly ignorant of what life is like for the poor outside their own doorsteps.
This combination of worldly savvy and local blindness characterizes almost all the nobility of Baldurâs Gate. As a result, for those who wish to play patriars, the Patriar feature below replaces the Position and Privilege feature of the noble background. Those who wish to use the backgroundâs standard feature might have gained their standing in Baldurâs Gate from business rather than inheritance.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[his]{History}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming &Reference[set]{set}
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of pedigree, and a purse containing 25 gp
Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.
As a member of one of the elite families of Baldurâs Gate, you may pass through city gates without paying tolls, mingle among the Gateâs nobility unquestioned, and impress those on the lookout for wealthy patrons. You are welcome in the Upper City and may stay there after dark without being harassed or evicted. Your word is accepted over othersâ without question, and any corruption among guards or government officials tends to work in your favor, not against youâat least until you make some effort to expose it.
A knighthood is among the lowest noble titles in most societies, but it can be a path to higher status. If you wish to be a knight, choose the Retainers feature (see the sidebar) instead of the Position of Privilege feature. One of your commoner retainers is replaced by a noble who serves as your squire, aiding you in exchange for training on his or her own path to knighthood. Your two remaining retainers might include a groom to care for your horse and a servant who polishes your armor (and even helps you put it on).
As an emblem of chivalry and the ideals of courtly love, you might include among your equipment a banner or other token from a noble lord or lady to whom you have given your heartâin a chaste sort of devotion. (This person could be your bond.)
If your character has a noble background, you may select this background feature instead of Position of Privilege.
You have the service of three retainers loyal to your family. These retainers can be attendants or messengers, and one might be a majordomo. Your retainers are commoners who can perform mundane tasks for you, but they do not fight for you, will not follow you into obviously dangerous areas (such as dungeons), and will leave if they are frequently endangered or abused.
Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Patriar
As a member of one of the elite families of Baldurâs Gate, you may pass through city gates without paying tolls, mingle among the Gateâs nobility unquestioned, and impress those on the lookout for wealthy patrons. You are welcome in the Upper City and may stay there after dark without being harassed or evicted. Your word is accepted over othersâ without question, and any corruption among guards or government officials tends to work in your favor, not against youâat least until you make some effort to expose it.
\nComing to Baldurâs Gate might seem like a good idea for a spectrum of reasons. Profit, excitement, and cosmopolitan opportunities all present tempting prospects, but rarely does one start on the path to Baldurâs Gate fully understanding the complex social morass that awaits. You enter the city an outsider, and itâs likely thatâno matter how long you spend in the cityâyouâll leave an outsider, if you leave at all.
You grew up in the wilds, far from the comforts of town and technology. Youâve witnessed the migration of herds larger than forests, survived weather more extreme than any city-dweller could comprehend, and enjoyed the solitude of being the only thinking creature for miles in any direction. The wilds are in your blood, whether you were a nomad, an explorer, a recluse, a hunter-gatherer, or even a marauder. Even in places where you donât know the specific features of the terrain, you know the ways of the wild.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ath]{Athletics}, &Reference[sur]{Survival}
Tool Proficiencies: One type of musical instrument
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A staff, a hunting trap, a trophy from an animal you killed, a &Reference[set]{set} of travelerâs clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Foreigners of all kinds come to Baldurâs Gate daily, drawn by countless reasons from countless lands. The Outlander Origins table provides ideas for how your character might have come to Baldurâs Gate.
| d10 | Origin |
|---|---|
| 1 | Someone stole something precious from your people. You tracked the thief to the city gates, but finding clues in an urban environment is very different from tracking someone across the wilderness. You donât know where to go from here, but your people need you to succeed. |
| 2 | Youâve always been fascinated by the glitter and glamor of city life, so different from the &Reference[slow]{slow} pace of life in your homeland. Now youâre here, ready to make your mark in the world, but unsure how to begin. |
| 3 | War, plague, famine, or a marauding monster ravaged your home, forcing you to flee for your life. You donât even know how many of your people survived or where to find them. Alone or accompanied by a handful of equally bereft survivors, you must navigate a new life that you never asked for. |
| 4 | You were captured by kidnappers and taken far from your home. The Knights of the Unicorn freed you and brought you here, but now youâre on your own. |
| 5 | You were exiled for breaking a trivial-seeming taboo. For this seemingly minor transgression, you lost your friends, family, and homeland in one fell swoop, and were given little choice but to strike out on your own. |
| 6 | A peddler once brought something astonishing to your homelandâa Gondan clockwork, shimmering cloth of gold, a trained speaking bird, or some other small wonderâand told you that it came from Baldurâs Gate. Youâve come to see the source of such wonders, and perhaps learn to create them. |
You have an excellent memory for maps and geography, and you can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements, and other features around you. In addition, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to five other people each day, provided that the land offers berries, small game, water, and so forth.
Even after your short time in Baldurâs Gate, youâve learned the city holds more walls and gates than those the Watch and Flaming Fist patrols. You are known within the cityâs immigrant communities. Should you ever need to learn about a foreign land, people, tradition, or &Reference[his]{history}, you know where to find someone with firsthand experienceâlikely somewhere in the Outer City.
You have an excellent memory for maps and geography, and you can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements, and other features around you. In addition, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to five other people each day, provided that the land offers berries, small game, water, and so forth.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Immigrant Experience
Even after your short time in Baldurâs Gate, youâve learned the city holds more walls and gates than those the Watch and Flaming Fist patrols. You are known within the cityâs immigrant communities. Should you ever need to learn about a foreign land, people, tradition, or &Reference[his]{history}, you know where to find someone with firsthand experienceâlikely somewhere in the Outer City.
\nBaldurâs Gate has a modest academic community centered around the libraries of the High Hall and the various temples dedicated to gods of learning and innovation. Lecturers, researchers, and historians all participate with passing scholars from Candlekeep in a lively exchange of ideas, debating and collaborating in book-filled halls across the Upper and Lower City. The city is also rife with opportunities for arcane study, although its masters are dispersed across individual wizardsâ abodes and lack concentrated communities.
You spent years learning the lore of the multiverse. You scoured manuscripts, studied scrolls, and listened to the greatest experts on the subjects that interest you. Your efforts have made you a master in your fields of study.
To determine the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your scholarly training, roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below.
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alchemist |
| 2 | Astronomer |
| 3 | Discredited academic |
| 4 | Librarian |
| 5 | Professor |
| 6 | Researcher |
| 7 | Wizardâs apprentice |
| 8 | Scribe |
FEATURE: RESEARCHER
When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: RUMOR MONGER
Via your personal rumor mill and articles published in Baldurâs Mouth, you can surmise a great deal about Balduriansâ secrets â whoâs practicing &Reference[nec]{necromancy}, whoâs involved in spying or smuggling, who would purchase or craft dangerous magical wares without batting an eyelash. Whenever a noteworthy crime or mysterious happening occurs in the city, you immediately have a list of 1d4 suspects who, if they arenât involved, have a strong chance of knowing who is.
Sages are defined by their extensive studies, and their characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to scholarly pursuits, a sage values knowledge highlyâsometimes in its own right, sometimes as a means toward other ideals.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I use polysyllabic words that convey the impression of great erudition. |
| 2 | Iâve read every book in the worldâs greatest librariesâor I like to boast that I have. |
| 3 | Iâm used to helping out those who arenât as smart as I am, and I patiently explain anything and everything to others. |
| 4 | Thereâs nothing I like more than a good mystery. |
| 5 | Iâm willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment. |
| 6 | I ⌠speak ⌠slowly ⌠when talking ⌠to idiots, ⌠which ⌠almost ⌠everyone ⌠is ⌠compared ⌠to me. |
| 7 | I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations. |
| 8 | Iâm convinced that people are always trying to steal my secrets. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Beauty. What is beautiful points us beyond itself toward what is true. (Good) |
| 3 | Logic. Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking. (Lawful) |
| 4 | No Limits. Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility inherent in all existence. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Power. Knowledge is the path to power and domination. (Evil) |
| 6 | Self-Improvement. The goal of a life of study is the betterment of oneself. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | It is my duty to protect my students. |
| 2 | I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands. |
| 3 | I work to preserve a library, university, scriptorium, or monastery. |
| 4 | My lifeâs work is a series of tomes related to a specific field of lore. |
| 5 | Iâve been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question. |
| 6 | I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it back. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am easily distracted by the promise of information. |
| 2 | Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I stop and take notes on its anatomy. |
| 3 | Unlocking an ancient mystery is worth the price of a civilization. |
| 4 | I overlook obvious solutions in favor of complicated ones. |
| 5 | I speak without really thinking through my words, invariably insulting others. |
| 6 | I canât keep a secret to save my life, or anyone elseâs. |
When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Rumor Monger
Via your personal rumor mill and articles published in Baldurâs Mouth, you can surmise a great deal about Balduriansâ secrets â whoâs practicing &Reference[nec]{necromancy}, whoâs involved in spying or smuggling, who would purchase or craft dangerous magical wares without batting an eyelash. Whenever a noteworthy crime or mysterious happening occurs in the city, you immediately have a list of 1d4 suspects who, if they arenât involved, have a strong chance of knowing who is.
\nBaldurâs Gate was founded by sailors, and its harbor is still the cityâs beating heart. Several patriars are descended from captains of yore, the commerce of the Lower City is built on the port, and even the Outer Cityâs rhythms are dominated by the ebb and flow of river trade. Because sailors are as fundamental and ubiquitous to Baldurâs Gate as the cobbles on its streets, characters with this background are common.
You sailed on a seagoing vessel for years. In that time, you faced down mighty storms, monsters of the deep, and those who wanted to sink your craft to the bottomless depths. Your first love is the distant line of the horizon, but the time has come to try your hand at something new.
Discuss the &Reference[nat]{nature} of the ship you previously sailed with your Dungeon Master. Was it a merchant ship, a naval vessel, a ship of discovery, or a pirate ship? How famous (or infamous) is it? Is it widely traveled? Is it still sailing, or is it missing and presumed lost with all hands?
What were your duties on boardâboatswain, captain, navigator, cook, or some other position? Who were the captain and first mate? Did you leave your ship on good terms with your fellows, or on the run?
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ath]{Athletics}, &Reference[prc]{Perception}
Tool Proficiencies: Navigatorâs tools, vehicles (water)
Equipment: A belaying pin (club), 50 feet of silk rope, a lucky charm such as a rabbit foot or a small stone with a hole in the center (or you may roll for a random trinket on the Trinkets table in chapter 5 of the Playerâs Handbook), a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
When you need to, you can secure free passage on a sailing ship for yourself and your adventuring companions. You might sail on the ship you served on, or another ship you have good relations with (perhaps one captained by a former crewmate). Because youâre calling in a favor, you canât be certain of a schedule or route that will meet your every need. Your Dungeon Master will determine how long it takes to get where you need to go. In return for your free passage, you and your companions are expected to assist the crew during the voyage.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Smugglerâs Sense
Youâre familiar with the docks of Baldurâs Gate, the movement of inspectors and tax collectors, the way cargo and coin flows. As a result, it őŢ; âs easy for you to hustle a load of cargo ashore or see such a cargo onto a cooperative ship without attracting suspicion or taxation. You also know the movements of the Gray Waversâthe Flaming Fist harbor guardsâand have a sense of how to operate the cityâs mechanized cranes.
You spent your youth under the sway of a dread pirate, a ruthless cutthroat who taught you how to survive in a world of sharks and savages. Youâve indulged in larceny on the high seas and sent more than one deserving soul to a briny grave. Fear and bloodshed are no strangers to you, and youâve garnered a somewhat unsavory reputation in many a port town.
If your character has a sailor background, you may select this background feature instead of Shipâs Passage.
No matter where you go, people are afraid of you due to your reputation. When you are in a settlement, you can get away with minor criminal offenses, such as refusing to pay for food at a tavern or breaking down doors at a local shop, since most people will not report your activity to the authorities.
When you need to, you can secure free passage on a sailing ship for yourself and your adventuring companions. You might sail on the ship you served on, or another ship you have good relations with (perhaps one captained by a former crewmate). Because youâre calling in a favor, you canât be certain of a schedule or route that will meet your every need. Your Dungeon Master will determine how long it takes to get where you need to go. In return for your free passage, you and your companions are expected to assist the crew during the voyage.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Smugglerâs Sense
Youâre familiar with the docks of Baldurâs Gate, the movement of inspectors and tax collectors, the way cargo and coin flows. As a result, itâs easy for you to hustle a load of cargo ashore or see such a cargo onto a cooperative ship without attracting suspicion or taxation. You also know the movements of the Gray Waversâthe Flaming Fist harbor guardsâand have a sense of how to operate the cityâs mechanized cranes.
\nMercenaries, private guards, Watch soldiers, and members of the Flaming Fist number among just a few of the many soldiers on the streets of Baldurâs Gate.
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 &Reference[sur]{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 nobleâs or merchantâs private army, or a mercenary company.
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:
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Officer |
| 2 | Scout |
| 3 | Infantry |
| 4 | Cavalry |
| 5 | Healer |
| 6 | Quartermaster |
| 7 | Standard bearer |
| 8 | Support staff (cook, blacksmith, or the like) |
FEATURE: 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.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: CITY GUARD
You may choose to currently serve in either the Flaming Fist or the Watch. If you do, you have responsibilities related to your post. For as long as you perform these responsibilities, you gain benefits. If you stop performing your responsibilities, though, you lose access to the benefits and might suffer further fallout. Should you lose these benefits, you may regain them by having an unpleasant conversation with your commanding officer and fulfilling your responsibilities for a month.
Flaming Fist. If you serve in the Flaming Fist, once every ten days, you must report to the Seatower of Balduran for training, and youâre required to take a regular shift patrolling either the Lower City or the Outer City. In return, you have access to the Flaming Fistâs fortresses and a direct line of communication with Flaming Fist officers and other soldiers. You can also pass through the cityâs gates without question â although you canât bring guests into the Upper City as a member of the Watch might. Additionally, youâre always welcome at the Three Old Kegs, where the Three Old Toads are glad to greet you with a smile and a mug of ale.
The Watch. If you serve in the Watch, youâre required to conduct a regular patrol in the Upper City or take a regular shift at its gates, and must report for training in the Watch Citadel once every ten days. In return, you have access to the Citadel and a direct line of communication with Watch officers and officials. Your word carries considerable weight in the High Hall, and most establishments in the Citadel Streets neighborhood are happy to give you and your friends free meals. Additionally, you can escort people into the Upper City without question, regardless of whether they are patriars or have Watch tokens. Outside the Upper City, however, most people regard you with suspicion, and you generally get a chilly reception while in uniform.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: LOYALTY TEST
Youâve had enough dealings with crooked soldiers that you can spot the behaviors common to corrupt guards and military officers a mile away. While awareness of such corruption doesnât equate to evidence of it, and your sense certainly isnât foolproof, your instinct proves a useful starting point when determining who might take a bribe, who might turn a blind eye to a crime, or who might have criminal connections. You can also use this sense to get a feeling about who might fulfill their duties strictly by the book.
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 | Iâm always polite and respectful. |
| 2 | Iâm haunted by memories of war. I canât get the images of violence out of my mind. |
| 3 | Iâve lost too many friends, and Iâm &Reference[slow]{slow} to make new ones. |
| 4 | Iâm 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 arenât 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 | Iâll 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 livesâand 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 | Iâd rather eat my armor than admit when Iâm wrong. |
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.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: City Guard
You may choose to currently serve in either the Flaming Fist or the Watch. If you do, you have responsibilities related to your post. For as long as you perform these responsibilities, you gain benefits. If you stop performing your responsibilities, though, you lose access to the benefits and might suffer further fallout. Should you lose these benefits, you may regain them by having an unpleasant conversation with your commanding officer and fulfilling your responsibilities for a month.
Flaming Fist. If you serve in the Flaming Fist, once every ten days, you must report to the Seatower of Balduran for training, and youâre required to take a regular shift patrolling either the Lower City or the Outer City. In return, you have access to the Flaming Fistâs fortresses and a direct line of communication with Flaming Fist officers and other soldiers. You can also pass through the cityâs gates without question â although you canât bring guests into the Upper City as a member of the Watch might. Additionally, youâre always welcome at the Three Old Kegs, where the Three Old Toads are glad to greet you with a smile and a mug of ale.
The Watch. If you serve in the Watch, youâre required to conduct a regular patrol in the Upper City or take a regular shift at its gates, and must report for training in the Watch Citadel once every ten days. In return, you have access to the Citadel and a direct line of communication with Watch officers and officials. Your word carries considerable weight in the High Hall, and most establishments in the Citadel Streets neighborhood are happy to give you and your friends free meals. Additionally, you can escort people into the Upper City without question, regardless of whether they are patriars or have Watch tokens. Outside the Upper City, however, most people regard you with suspicion, and you generally get a chilly reception while in uniform.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Loyalty Test
Youâve had enough dealings with crooked soldiers that you can spot the behaviors common to corrupt guards and military officers a mile away. While awareness of such corruption doesnât equate to evidence of it, and your sense certainly isnât foolproof, your instinct proves a useful starting point when determining who might take a bribe, who might turn a blind eye to a crime, or who might have criminal connections. You can also use this sense to get a feeling about who might fulfill their duties strictly by the book.
\nBands of orphans and runaways band together in the Outer City, running after passersby in ragged throngs to plead for scraps. In the Lower City, urchins are often recruited into the lowest echelons of the Guild or pressed into dirty and dangerous work by unscrupulous masters.
You grew up on the streets alone, orphaned, and poor. You had no one to watch over you or to provide for you, so you learned to provide for yourself. You fought fiercely over food and kept a constant watch out for other desperate souls who might steal from you. You slept on rooftops and in alleyways, exposed to the elements, and endured sickness without the advantage of &Reference[med]{medicine} or a place to recuperate. Youâve survived despite all odds, and did so through cunning, strength, speed, or some combination of each.
You begin your adventuring career with enough money to live modestly but securely for at least ten days. How did you come by that money? What allowed you to break free of your desperate circumstances and embark on a better life?
Skill Proficiencies: Sleight of Hand, &Reference[ste]{Stealth}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, thievesâ tools
Equipment: A small knife, a map of the city you grew up in, a pet mouse, a token to remember your parents by, a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
FEATURE: CITY SECRETS
You know the secret patterns and flow to cities and can find passages through the urban sprawl that others would miss. When you are not in combat, you (and companions you lead) can travel between any two locations in the city twice as fast as your speed would normally allow.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: GATEGUIDE CONNECTION
Even though you might not be a member of the Gateguides crew, youâve associated with enough of them that you know their torch-based code. From the lighting, placement, and type of torch arranged on or near a structure, you can gather a great deal of information about those who live or do business there, particularly if they deal fairly with strangers, have Guild or government connections, or have either helped or denied the Gateguides in the past.
Urchins are shaped by lives of desperate poverty, for good and for ill. They tend to be driven either by a commitment to the people with whom they shared life on the street or by a burning desire to find a better life â and maybe get some payback on all the rich people who treated them badly.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I hide scraps of food and trinkets away in my pockets. |
| 2 | I ask a lot of questions. |
| 3 | I like to squeeze into small places where no one else can get to me. |
| 4 | I sleep with my back to a wall or tree, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms. |
| 5 | I eat like a pig and have bad manners. |
| 6 | I think anyone whoâs nice to me is hiding evil intent. |
| 7 | I donât like to bathe. |
| 8 | I bluntly say what other people are hinting at or hiding. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. All people, rich or poor, deserve respect. (Good) |
| 2 | Community. We have to take care of each other, because no one else is going to do it. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Change. The low are lifted up, and the high and mighty are brought down. Change is the &Reference[nat]{nature} of things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Retribution. The rich need to be shown what life and death are like in the gutters. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. I help the people who help me â thatâs what keeps us alive. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Aspiration. Iâm going to prove that Iâm worthy of a better life. |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My town or city is my home, and Iâll fight to defend it. |
| 2 | I sponsor an orphanage to keep others from enduring what I was forced to endure. |
| 3 | I owe my &Reference[sur]{survival} to another urchin who taught me to live on the streets. |
| 4 | I owe a debt I can never repay to the person who took pity on me. |
| 5 | I escaped my life of poverty by robbing an important person, and Iâm wanted for it. |
| 6 | No one else should have to endure the hardships Iâve been through. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | If Iâm outnumbered, I will run away from a fight. |
| 2 | Gold seems like a lot of money to me, and Iâll do just about anything for more of it. |
| 3 | I will never fully trust anyone other than myself. |
| 4 | Iâd rather kill someone in their sleep than fight fair. |
| 5 | Itâs not stealing if I need it more than someone else. |
| 6 | People who canât take care of themselves get what they deserve. |
You know the secret patterns and flow to cities and can find passages through the urban sprawl that others would miss. When you are not in combat, you (and companions you lead) can travel between any two locations in the city twice as fast as your speed would normally allow.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Gateguide Connection
Even though you might not be a member of the Gateguides crew, youâve associated with enough of them that you know their torch-based code. From the lighting, placement, and type of torch arranged on or near a structure, you can gather a great deal of information about those who live or do business there, particularly if they deal fairly with strangers, have Guild or government connections, or have either helped or denied the Gateguides in the past.
\nYou relentlessly seek the truth. Perhaps youâre motivated by belief in the law and a sense of universal justice, or maybe that very law has failed you and you seek to make things right. You could have witnessed something remarkable or terrible, and now you must know more about this hidden truth. Or maybe youâre a detective for hire, uncovering secrets for well-paying clients. Whether the mysteries youâre embroiled in are local crimes or realm-spanning conspiracies, youâre driven by a personal need to hunt down even the most elusive clues and reveal what others would keep hidden in the shadows.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among &Reference[ins]{Insight}, &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, or &Reference[prc]{Perception}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, thievesâ tools
Equipment: A magnifying glass, evidence from a past case (choose one or roll for a trinket from the Horror Trinkets table after this background), a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, and 10 gp
Your first case influenced the types of mysteries youâre interested in. Why was this case so impactful, personal, or traumatic? Whom did it affect besides you? Why and how did you get involved? Was it solved? How did it &Reference[set]{set} you on the path to investigating other mysteries? Roll on or choose details from the First Case table to develop the mystery that started your career as an investigator.
| d8 | Case |
|---|---|
| 1 | A friend was wrongfully accused of murder. You tracked down the actual killer, proving your friendâs innocence and starting your career as a detective. |
| 2 | Youâre told you went missing for weeks. When you were found, you had no memory of being gone. Now you search to discover what happened to you. |
| 3 | You helped a spirit find peace by finding its missing corpse. Ever since, other spectral clients have sought you out to help them find rest. |
| 4 | You revealed that the monsters terrorizing your home were illusions created by a cruel mage. The magic-user escaped, but youâve continued to uncover magical hoaxes. |
| 5 | You were wrongfully accused and convicted of a crime. You managed to escape and seek to help others avoid the experience you suffered, even while still being pursued by the law. |
| 6 | You survived the destructive use of a magic device that wiped out your home. Members of a secret organization found you. You now work with them, tracking down dangerous supernatural phenomena and preventing them from doing harm. |
| 7 | You found evidence of a conspiracy underpinning society. You tried to expose this mysterious cabal, but no one believed you. Youâre still trying to prove what you know is true. |
| 8 | You got a job with an agency that investigates crimes that local law enforcement canât solve. You often wonder which you value more, the truth or your pay. |
Youâre experienced at gaining access to people and places to get the information you need. Through a combination of fast-talking, determination, and official-looking documentation, you can gain access to a place or an individual related to a crime youâre investigating. Those who arenât involved in your &Reference[inv]{investigation} avoid impeding you or pass along your requests. Additionally, local law enforcement has firm opinions about you, viewing you as either a nuisance or one of their own.
\nFor longer than you can remember, you have traversed the Astral Sea. There, you experienced firsthand the wonders of the Silver Void: you stopped aging and no longer felt hunger or thirst. Driven by wanderlust, you drifted from one part of the Astral Sea to another, like a mote of dust on the wind. You have lost count of the decades that have passed since you arrived here.
In your travels, you have camped on the petrified hulks of dead gods and narrowly escaped the psychic winds that sweep across the Astral Sea while also avoiding prolonged contact with the planeâs most dangerous denizens.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ins]{Insight}, &Reference[rel]{Religion}
Languages: Two of your choice (Celestial or Gith recommended)
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of travelerâs clothes, a diary, an ink pen, a bottle of ink, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Longevity
You are 20d6 years older than you look, because you have spent that much time in the Astral Sea without aging.
Feature: Divine Contact
You gain the Magic Initiate feat from the Playerâs Handbook and must choose cleric for the feat.
In the Astral Sea, you crossed paths with a wandering deity. The encounter was brief and nonviolent, yet it made a lasting impression on you. This deity saw fit to share one secret or obscure bit of cosmic lore with you. Work with your DM to determine the details of this knowledge and its impact on the campaign.
Roll on the Divine Contact table to determine which deity you encountered, or work with your DM to identify a more suitable choice.
| d10 | Wandering Deity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Corellon, god of art and magic |
| 2 | Tymora, god of good fortune |
| 3 | Fharlanghn, god of horizons and travel |
| 4 | Istus, god of fate and destiny |
| 5 | Nuada, god of war and warriors |
| 6 | Zivilyn, god of wisdom |
| 7 | Arawn, god of life and death |
| 8 | Hecate, god of magic and moons |
| 9 | Celestian, god of stars and wanderers |
| 10 | Ptah, god of knowledge and secrets |
You gain the Magic Initiate feat from the Playerâs Handbook and must choose cleric for the feat.
In the Astral Sea, you crossed paths with a wandering deity. The encounter was brief and nonviolent, yet it made a lasting impression on you. This deity saw fit to share one secret or obscure bit of cosmic lore with you. Work with your DM to determine the details of this knowledge and its impact on the campaign.
Roll on the Divine Contact table to determine which deity you encountered, or work with your DM to identify a more suitable choice.
| d10 | Wandering Deity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Corellon, god of art and magic |
| 2 | Tymora, god of good fortune |
| 3 | Fharlanghn, god of horizons and travel |
| 4 | Istus, god of fate and destiny |
| 5 | Nuada, god of war and warriors |
| 6 | Zivilyn, god of wisdom |
| 7 | Arawn, god of life and death |
| 8 | Hecate, god of magic and moons |
| 9 | Celestian, god of stars and wanderers |
| 10 | Ptah, god of knowledge and secrets |
You were raised in the void of Wildspaceâhome to asteroid miners, moon farmers, and other hardy folk. Perhaps you grew up in a far-flung settlement such as the Rock of Bral, or you spent your early years on the crew of a spelljamming ship, performing helpful chores such as swabbing the deck, loading and offloading cargo, and scraping barnacles off the hull.
Whatever your &Reference[his]{history}, life in Wildspace has toughened you so well that you are as brave as a miniature giant space hamster when it comes to facing the terrors and other challenges of the airless night.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ath]{Athletics}, &Reference[sur]{Survival}
Tool Proficiencies: Navigatorâs tools, vehicles (space)
Equipment: A belaying pin (club), a &Reference[set]{set} of travelerâs clothes, a grappling hook, 50 feet of hempen rope, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Close Encounter
You had a harrowing encounter with one of Wildspaceâs many terrors. You escaped with your life, but the encounter left you with a scar or two, or perhaps a recurring nightmare. Roll on the Close Encounter table to determine which creature nearly got the best of you. Creatures marked with an asterisk appear in Booâs Astral Menagerie; the others are described in the Monster Manual.
| d10 | Creature |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beholder |
| 2 | Cosmic horror* |
| 3 | Feyr* |
| 4 | Lunar dragon* |
| 5 | Mind flayer |
| 6 | Neh-thalggu* |
| 7 | Neogi* |
| 8 | Space clown* |
| 9 | Vampirate* |
| 10 | Void scavver* |
Feature: Wildspace Adaptation
You gain the Tough feat from the Playerâs Handbook. In addition, you learned how to adapt to zero gravity. Being weightless doesnât give you disadvantage on any of your melee attack rolls (see âWeightlessnessâ below).
WEIGHTLESSNESS
In any location where gravity isnât present, the following rules apply:
Impeded Melee. When making a melee attack with a weapon, a creature that doesnât have a flying or swimming speed (either naturally or provided by magic) has disadvantage on the attack roll unless the weapon deals piercing damage.
Movement. A creature can use an action to &Reference[push]{push} off something heavier than itself and move up to its walking, flying, or swimming speed in a straight line. The creature continues along this course, moving in a straight line at its speed on each of its turns until something stops it or changes its trajectory.
You gain the Tough feat from the Playerâs Handbook. In addition, you learned how to adapt to zero gravity. Being weightless doesnât give you disadvantage on any of your melee attack rolls (see âWeightlessnessâ below).
\nYouâve used your education and knowledge from working on behalf of the Augustine Trading Company. Youâve been generally held in high regard by those who can use the knowledge youâve gained, while others look upon your work for the organization as unsavory. Your training, however, makes you a versatile problem-solver.
Youâve learned your craft from smugglers, merchants, blackmailers, and brigands who came before you. You may still work for the organization, or your may have had to cut ties for being too honest, too dishonest, or just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Whatever your connections, you have traveled more than most people in Etharis can ever dream of.
You are fascinated with studying &Reference[his]{history} and identifying ancient artifacts, relics, and texts. You seek to gather rare and lost items to add to your collection or the collections of others. Your skill with identifying the properties of artifacts and historical objects makes you an adept problem-solver, especially when ancient relics and languages are involved.
Funding expeditions to search for these artifacts is often expensive, meaning you seldom travel without the backing of a wealthy patron or organization. These groups, like the Antiquarians they fund, have motives that range from the beneficent to the sinister. If you diverge from the intended goals of your benefactors, you might find yourself unfunded at best and hunted at worst.
Many who fall on hard times have no other option than begging for coppers. Considered the lowest rung of society, you are looked down upon in either pity or contempt by other members of society, when they bother to notice you at all. For your part, you see people at their best and at their worstâa more honest representation than they show their peers or superiors.
If you are from a major metropolis of Etharis, you might be much more than you appear. You may act as an informant, spy, distraction, or worseâworking right under the noses of those who treat you as part of the scenery. This might make you wealthier than you let on, and people in the know treat you with a modicum of respect and caution.
You were either born into a role within the courts or power structures of your area, or you worked your way into the company of the powerful or elite through perseverance, skill, trickery, or some combination of those. You draw upon the power of your institutions to gain what you needâbut youâre always at the mercy of those institutions as well.
You may have a specialized role within the system, such as a court jester or sommelier. Or you may occupy a more generic role as a hanger-on, whose role is &Reference[blinded]{undefined} but whose power rests in simply being connected to someone with the power to get what is needed.
You were a raider associated with one of the greatly feared Valikan clans. The terror you and your allies struck within sailing distance of your homeland was massive and palpable. The risks were great, but the respect was undeniable.
You lost that respect, however, when something went wrong. Perhaps you lost your nerve and fled the battlefield. Perhaps you lost your mind and killed when you were only supposed to capture. Perhaps you saw the terror you inspired in others as a moral failing rather than a point of honor. Regardless, you were cast out of your clan and told never to return. You now travel Etharis havi`<śĎng to live with what youâve done and the shame (or honor) of your clanâs shunning.
You are the official representative of a government or other powerful group, traveling to further the objectives of the group you represent. You must be ready at a momentâs notice to travel to the next town, or to other parts of the world. Such travel requires not just social skills but also a strong drive and a hardy disposition.
Your responsibilities change based on the organization you represent and their goals: forge alliances or maintain existing ones, establish business ties, oversee far-ranging projects, etc. However, many of your tasks are reactive: responding to a nobleâs threats, securing defensive pacts in times of conflict, or bolstering border defenses. Everywhere you go, something is at stake.
The powerful and fickle faerie-folk of your area have taken note of you, and your existence pleases them. Whether you were born under a lucky star, had a favorable run-in with a &Reference[nat]{nature} spirit, or simply were in the right place at the right time, the fey favor you with small gifts and boons. You find small trinkets in your shoes when you wake up in the morning. Beasts of the forest and field are more receptive to your presence and your training. Will this blessing somehow turn into a curse later in your life?
People you encounter instantly recognize your connection with the Land of Faerie. Sometimes this works to your favor, as folks seem entranced by your glowing personality. Others see your power as a curse just waiting to seep into their lives. And they may not be wrong!
You have learned that the dominant religious beliefs of your region are lies. The corrupting forces may be in charge, but you will not rest until you have shown their lies as corrupt and untrue. Your beliefs, and your willingness to speak that truth, have put you in danger from the authorities.
You travel the road or live in hiding, trying to stay one step ahead of those who wish to silence you. You sometimes find those who believe as you do, and in those moments of unity you find peace and safety. But it is only a matter of time before your outspoken opposition to the status quo puts you in danger again.
On the fringes of the civilized world, parents warn their children not to wander away from their homes, especially at night. The many creatures that haunt the forests, from the faerie-folk to the minions of the Great Beast, spell doom for the innocent who stray too far into the darkness. You failed to heed your parentsâ warnings, and you were taken. In fact, those who know of your experience use that word to describe you: Taken.
You do not remember what happened to you while you were away, but through some mysterious and possibly fortunate circumstances, you wandered back into town after months or years of going missing. Maybe the fairies whisked you off to some magical realm. Maybe evil cultists of an Arch Daemon held you prisoner, planning to sacrifice you to their dark leader when the time was right, and you found a way to escape. Maybe one of the Beastâs warped and feral minions took a liking to you and kept you as a pet. Whatever your story, you canât remember your time away. But that doesnât mean you werenât changed by it.
There is still land in Etharis where no one has lived before, and pioneers are the hardy folk who set out to tame that land for the first time. Youâve learned to find a suitable area to live, set up the beginnings of a village, build the dwellings needed for settlers, then move on.
You have weathered punishing storms, migrations, and harsh winters. You and yours have adapted to the environment. Everything you own is built with your own two hands, and your aptitude in working with natural materials has provided you with shelter, tools, and clothing.
You make your living by trapping, hunting, and killing vicious beasts. Your efforts might provide meat and furs for settlements or for trade. When a nearby beast is particularly vicious, you become a communityâs best defense against the destruction wildlife can cause. While you hunt mundane beasts, you know there are more dangerous and supernatural creatures roaming the darkness.
You and your fellow hunters are often as brutish as the creatures you hunt, heavily scarred from close encounters with your prey. In order to take down your prey, you must think and react as they might.
Something from your past landed you in prison. Your transgressions might be real or imagined, against a just society or a corrupt one. Regardless of how you became a prisoner, you have learned to survive within your environment.
As a prisoner, youâve had to learn to deal with guards, other prisoners, and the unpleasant environment. Part of that &Reference[sur]{survival} was learning to find, craft, or steal small items that make your incarceration more tolerable. Whether your release was long ago or about to happen, your time as a Prisoner has changed you.
Valikan raiders search for many things: food, goods, weapons, and thralls. You were one of those taken by the clans because you had skills that the clan lacked in their cold northern home. Once you arrived, you were given a choice: join the clan or find your own way home. You chose the latter.
You then had to find your way through the cold and dangerous lands of Valikaâand whatever other lands separated you from your home. You had to be ever watchful of other threats, hiding when danger presented itself. No place is safe, and you must take every opportunity to advance toward your goals.
Knights of the Charneault Kingdom are more than soldiers. Youâre an exemplar of the virtues that maintain peace and prosperity in the realm. Through training and study, youâve dedicated your life to upholding noble ideals such as strength, bravery, charity, temperance, and tradition. Your shield bears a coat of arms which symbolizes the tenets to which youâre swornâthose of your household or Knight Chapter. If you are still a squire, yet to accomplish your first quest, your shield is blank.
You might receive many honors during your journeys, though much will be expected of you. Folk may look to you as a protector, leader, or keeper of traditionsâor you may be feared as a stern justiciar of the Crownâs justice. The path of a knight is difficult and perilous, and not all who walk it maintain their virtues.
You were employed as an executioner by some group or organization in a position of power. Your legally sanctioned murders have given you a strong arm and a knowledge of death and fatal blows.
You may have worked for the , dispatching those who work against the nobility (if their blood is not worth draining). You may have worked for the Arcanist Inquisition, putting unrepentant mages to death. You may have carried out sanctioned sacrifices for the Prismatic Circle.
For some reason, you left your career: maybe you were wracked by guilt, maybe the group you worked for fell out of power, maybe you displeased your bosses, or maybe you decided to move on to a different occupation. But your actions have stayed with you, and your time as a dealer of death have made a lasting impact.
Etharis is overrun with vermin, but you focus on the pests of the four-legged variety. In the cities these are generally rats and other rodents. In the country, the pests might come in the form of raccoons or other critters that steal food and destroy structures piece by piece.
Youâve trained in the arts of getting pests away from people and coin away from clients. You may run an honest business, helping farmers and shop owners eliminate potentially life-threatening pests. Or you may introduce those pests in the first place, then solve the problem you created, skipping town before your ploy is discovered.
You are a servant of the Watchers of the Faithful, hunting down heretics and blasphemers within your own faith, cultists of sinister powers, or other threats to your divine order. Divine justice does not discriminate, and you have mercilessly punished crimes both mundane and supernaturalâtasks that come with little glory.
Your home is the road, and you must travel to wherever rumors of the sinful and the deviant take you. Corruption is just as likely to fester within as without, so you must be ever watchful of those who travel with you. Those found guilty, wherever they hail from and whatever their reason, must be faced without mercy.
You spent years traveling the countryside as a member of the Arcanist Inquisition, seeking out heretics and blasphemers, daemons and arcanists. Your work uncovered hidden evil that likely saved the lives of countless innocents. However, on more than one occasion, your or othersâ zeal brought low innocents.
After a crisis of conscience, you left the ranks of the inquisitors. Leaving the Inquisition is itself a dangerous prospect, but you could no longer abide. Maybe someone you love and care for is starting to show arcane affinities that would have led to their destruction. Maybe you did. Maybe the last &Reference[inv]{investigation} you carried out opened your eyes to new realities. Now you are living with a target on your back. Your former peers donât take kindly to people leaving their ranks. Those you persecuted have not forgotten your deeds. But life must still be lived, and thereâs more than one way to find and destroy the evil in the world.
Unterland was the first of the provinces to host blood-sport arenas, back in the days before the formation of the BuĚrach Empire. Since then, the practice has been driven underground, but, like poison spreading silently throughout a healthy body, it has infiltrated nearly every major city.
Ostensibly illegal, you can almost always find small groups of desperate individuals putting their lives on the line for the amusement and enrichment of others. This hidden network of arenas has recently been organized into the self-proclaimed Pit Fighterâs Guild and developed a series of coded phrases and symbols to identify its members. You follow the unspoken rule of Etharis: only the strong survive.
Mud, blood, and coin have been your entire life since joining the Company of Free Swords. You may have been recruited from a fighting pit in Unterland, joined as a fugitive to escape justice, or were found as a babe in the mud and raised as a Free Sword. Your &Reference[his]{history} before joining the Company doesnât matter now. Your comrades are your family. Violence is your trade.
The infantry ranks of the Free Swords live by the unspoken rule of Etharisâitâs a place where only the strong survive. Your ambitions may stretch only as far as your payment for enduring the next battle. Few expect anything more from you. Yet a hidden ideal may truly drive your actions, or you may hope to lead your own company one day.
Your skills treating the sick and injured have given you a vast knowledge of illnesses and remedies based on the latest scienceâor the most recent theories from those who like to &Reference[push]{push} the limits of what science might allow.
You may have come into the field in a variety of ways and with a variety of specialties. You might have learned at an institute with the finest medical minds in all of Etharis. Or you might have learned your skills through trial and error, as the poor residents of the surrounding area come to you based on rumors of your preternatural healing powers that are rather mundane.
When you fell ill with the Weeping Pox, you assumed you would die from it, as had so many before you. Your neighbors shunned you, fearing that you would spread the disease to them and their families. Then a miracle happened. A stranger came to you and offered to help. The stranger brought forth strange medicines, providing you with curative draughts and elixirs. And just as the disease reached its worst stages, the symptoms began to vanish. Before long, you were cured of the disease.
The sores and scars of the disease, however, still play across your bodyâan unsubtle reminder of the terrible scourge you survived. The stranger left you after the treatments concluded, but you retained some of the knowledge that the healer used while caring for you. Those who marvel at your recovery also fear you: they harbor some suspicion that you made deals with dark powers to drive away the disease.
You served a mysterious organization simply called the Thaumaturge. You received orders to perform tasks that ranged from the mundane to the inscrutable. Your contact assured you that even if the tasks made no sense, you were serving the greater good of your home, and of all Etharis.
Your tasks led you to new locations. You secretly met with other members of the organization, and you looked to the stars to give you signs and portents about the future. You may still be performing these tasks, or years may have passed since your last contact, but you know that there are forces beyond understanding that pull on peopleâs strings and make them dance.
Goods from one side of Etharis often fetch a fair price on the other side. Transporting such goods are a hassleâdealing with the bureaucracy of customs and taxes is an even larger one. Thankfully, as a representative of the Ebon Syndicate, you are there to eliminate at least part of the hassle.
Whether you move goods by land, sea, river, or air, crossing borders and avoiding detection are your specialty. Sometimes having a way to hide goods is the game. Other times falsifying paperwork or bribing guards does the trick. However you manage to do it, you get what people want into their hands for the right price.
You pursue a life traversing the wilds, driven by wanderlust or the orders of a distant patron. For you, there is no greater pursuit than to discover the lost, forgotten, and unseen reaches of the world. You may travel unaccompanied or lead companions, establishing encampments in remote areas or living completely off the land. You might lead pioneers looking to settle uncharted lands.
You may help establish settlements in the areas you explore, but before long, your attention wanders, and the call of the unknown beckons too strongly to ignore. And when that happens, you blaze a new trail into the darkness, rushing headlong into whatever thrills await.
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence
Feat: Alert
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[slt]{Sleight of Hand} and &Reference[ste]{Stealth}
Tool Proficiency: Thievesâ Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) 2 Daggers, Thievesâ Tools, Crowbar, 2 Pouches, Travelerâs Clothes, 16 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You eked out a living in dark alleyways, cutting purses or burgling shops. Perhaps you were part of a small gang of like-minded wrongdoers who looked out for each other. Or maybe you were a lone wolf, fending for yourself against the local thievesâ guild and more fearsome lawbreakers.
Ability Scores: Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma
Feat: Magic Initiate (Cleric)
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ins]{Insight} and &Reference[rel]{Religion}
Tool Proficiency: Calligrapher's Supplies
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Calligrapher's Supplies, Book (prayers), Holy Symbol, Parchment (10 sheets), Robe, 8 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You devoted yourself to service in a temple, either nestled in a town or secluded in a sacred grove. There you performed rites in honor of a god or pantheon. You served under a priest and studied &Reference[rel]{religion}. Thanks to your priestâs instruction and your own devotion, you also learned how to channel a modicum of divine power in service to your place of worship and the people who prayed there.
Ability Scores: Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence
Feat: Crafter
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation} and &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Choose one kind of Artisan's Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Artisan's Tools (same as above), 2 Pouches, Traveler's Clothes, 32 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You began mopping floors and scrubbing counters in an artisanâs workshop for a few coppers per day as soon as you were strong enough to carry a bucket. When you were old enough to apprentice, you learned to create basic crafts of your own, as well as how to sweet-talk the occasional demanding customer. Your trade has also given you a keen eye for detail.
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Constitution, Charisma
Feat: Skilled
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[dec]{Deception} and &Reference[slt]{Sleight of Hand}
Tool Proficiency: Forgery Kit
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Forgery Kit, Costume, Fine Clothes, 15 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Once you were old enough to order an ale, you soon had a favorite stool in every tavern within ten miles of where you were born. As you traveled the circuit from public house to watering hole, you learned to prey on unfortunates who were in the market for a comforting lie or twoâperhaps a sham potion or forged ancestry records.
Ability Scores: Strength, Dexterity, Charisma
Feat: Musician
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[acr]{Acrobatics} and &Reference[prf]{Performance}
Tool Proficiency: Choose one kind of Musical Instrument
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Musical Instrument (same as above), 2 Costumes, Mirror, Perfume, Traveler's Clothes, 11 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You spent much of your youth following roving fairs and carnivals, performing odd jobs for musicians and acrobats in exchange for lessons. You may have learned how to walk a tightrope, how to play a lute in a distinct style, or how to recite poetry with impeccable diction. To this day, you thrive on applause and long for the stage.
Ability Scores: Strength, Constitution, Wisdom
Feat: Tough
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ani]{Animal Handling} and &Reference[nat]{Nature}
Tool Proficiency: Carpenter's Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Sickle, Carpenter's Tools, Healer's Kit, Iron Pot, Shovel, Traveler's Clothes, 30 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You grew up close to the land. Years tending animals and cultivating the earth rewarded you with patience and good health. You have a keen appreciation for natureâs bounty alongside a healthy respect for natureâs wrath.
Ability Scores: Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom
Feat: Alert
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ath]{Athletics} and &Reference[prc]{Perception}
Tool Proficiency: Choose one kind of Gaming &Reference[set]{Set}
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Spear, Light Crossbow, 20 Bolts, Gaming &Reference[set]{Set} (same as above), Hooded Lantern, Manacles, Quiver, Traveler's Clothes, 12 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Your feet ache when you remember the countless hours you spent at your post in the tower. You were trained to keep one eye looking outside the wall, watching for marauders sweeping from the nearby forest, and your other eye looking inside the wall, searching for cutpurses and troublemakers.
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom
Feat: Magic Initiate (Druid)
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ste]{Stealth} and &Reference[sur]{Survival}
Tool Proficiency: Cartographer's Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Shortbow, 20 Arrows, Cartographer's Tools, Bedroll, Quiver, Tent, Traveler's Clothes, 3 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You came of age outdoors, far from settled lands. Your home was anywhere you chose to spread your bedroll. There are wonders in the wildernessâ strange monsters, pristine forests and streams, overgrown ruins of great halls once trod by giantsâ and you learned to fend for yourself as you explored them. From time to time, you guided friendly &Reference[nat]{nature} priests who instructed you in the fundamentals of channeling the magic of the wild.
Ability Scores: Constitution, Wisdom, Charisma
Feat: Healer
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[med]{Medicine} and &Reference[rel]{Religion}
Tool Proficiency: Herbalism Kit
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Quarterstaff, Herbalism Kit, Bedroll, Book (philosophy), Lamp, Oil (3 flasks), Traveler's Clothes, 16 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You spent your early years secluded in a hut or monastery located well beyond the outskirts of the nearest settlement. In those days, your only companions were the creatures of the forest and those who would occasionally visit to bring news of the outside world and supplies. The solitude allowed you to spend many hours pondering the mysteries of creation.
Ability Scores: Constitution, Intelligence, Charisma
Feat: Lucky
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ani]{Animal Handling} and &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Navigator's Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Navigator's Tools, 2 Pouches, Traveler's Clothes, 22 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You were apprenticed to a trader, caravan master, or shopkeeper, learning the fundamentals of commerce. You traveled broadly, and you earned a living by buying and selling the raw materials artisans need to practice their craft or finished works from such crafters. You might have transported goods from one place to another (by ship, wagon, or caravan) or bought them from traveling traders and sold them in your own shop.
Ability Scores: Strength, Intelligence, Charisma
Feat: Skilled
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[his]{History} and &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Choose one kind of Gaming &Reference[set]{Set}
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Gaming &Reference[set]{Set} (same as above), Fine Clothes, Perfume, 29 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You were raised in a castle, surrounded by wealth, power, and privilege. Your family of minor aristocrats ensured that you received a first-class education, some of which you appreciated and some of which you resented. Your time in the castle, especially the many hours you spent observing your family at court, also taught you a great deal about leadership.
Ability Scores: Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom
Feat: Magic Initiate (Wizard)
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[arc]{Arcana} and &Reference[his]{History}
Tool Proficiency: Calligrapher's Supplies
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Quarterstaff, Calligrapher's Supplies, Book (&Reference[his]{history}), Parchment (8 sheets), Robe, 8 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You spent your formative years traveling between manors and monasteries, performing various odd jobs and services in exchange for access to their libraries. You whiled away many a long evening studying books and scrolls, learning the lore of the multiverseâeven the rudiments of magicâand your mind yearns for more.
Ability Scores: Strength, Dexterity, Wisdom
Feat: Tavern Brawler
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[acr]{Acrobatics} and &Reference[prc]{Perception}
Tool Proficiency: Navigator's Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Dagger, Navigator's Tools, Rope, Traveler's Clothes, 20 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You lived as a seafarer, wind at your back and decks swaying beneath your feet. Youâve perched on barstools in more ports of call than you can remember, faced mighty storms, and swapped stories with folk who live beneath the waves.
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom
Feat: Skilled
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation} and &Reference[prc]{Perception}
Tool Proficiency: Calligrapher's Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Calligrapher's Supplies, Fine Clothes, Lamp, Oil, Parchment (12 sheets), 23 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You spent formative years in a scriptorium, a monastery dedicated to the preservation of knowledge, or a government agency, where you learned to write with a clear hand and produce finely written texts. Perhaps you scribed government documents or copied tomes of literature. You might have some skill as a writer of poetry, narrative, or scholarly research. Above all, you have a careful attention to detail, helping you avoid introducing mistakes to the documents you copy and create.
Ability Scores: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution
Feat: Savage Attacker
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ath]{Athletics} and &Reference[itm]{Intimidation}
Tool Proficiency: Choose one kind of Gaming &Reference[set]{Set}
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Spear, Shortbow, 20 Arrows, Gaming &Reference[set]{Set} (same as above), Healer's Kit, Quiver, Traveler's Clothes, 14 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You began training for war as soon as you reached adulthood and carry precious few memories of life before you took up arms. Battle is in your blood. Sometimes you catch yourself reflexively performing the basic fighting exercises you learned first. Eventually, you put that training to use on the battlefield, protecting the realm by waging war.
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Wisdom, Charisma
Feat: Lucky
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ins]{Insight} and &Reference[ste]{Stealth}
Tool Proficiency: Thievesâ Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) 2 Daggers, Thieves' Tools, Gaming &Reference[set]{Set} (any), Bedroll, 2 Pouches, Traveler's Clothes, 16 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You grew up on the streets surrounded by similarly ill-fated castoffs, a few of them friends and a few of them rivals. You slept where you could and did odd jobs for food. At times, when the hunger became unbearable, you resorted to theft. Still, you never lost your pride and never abandoned hope. Fate is not yet finished with you.
Ability Scores: Strength, Constitution, Charisma
Feat: Tough
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} and &Reference[prc]{Perception}
Tool Proficiency:Smithâs Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Mace, Smithâs Tools, Fine Clothes, Manacles, Portable Ram, 4 GP; or (B) 50 GP
The chief law enforcement branch of Baldurâs Gate is the Flaming Fist, a brawny mercenary guild led by the cityâs grand duke. You once served as a Flaming Fist, where you learned how to preempt trouble with your intimidating stare and, when necessary, absorb deadly blows. Flaming Fist mercenaries, active or retired, are known as some of the toughest, most resilient warriors along the Sword Coast, and you seek to maintain that reputation.
Ability Scores: Strength, Dexterity, Wisdom
Feat: Skilled
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ath]{Athletics} and &Reference[slt]{Sleight of Hand}
Tool Proficiency: Weaverâs Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Dagger, Weaverâs Tools, Backpack, Ball Bearings, Basket, Bedroll, Bucket, Rations (3 daysâ worth), Rope, Signal Whistle, Travelerâs Clothes, 38 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Though most youths in Chondath accept their four-year term of compulsory military service, you bristled at that authoritarian attempt to control your life. You forsook your nationhood, discarded your given name, and worked as a freebooter with the first ship that would have you. Since then, youâve traveled the Vilhon Reach. Though youâve never sailed more than a few dozen leagues from land, you make up for it with deep local connections and the breadth of your experiences.
Ability Scores: Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom
Feat: Emerald Enclave Fledgling
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[nat]{Nature} and &Reference[sur]{Survival}
Tool Proficiency: Herbalism Kit
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Shortbow, 20 Arrows, Herbalism Kit, Bedroll, Blanket, Pouch, Tent, Travelerâs Clothes, 13 GP; or (B) 50 GP
As a Caretaker with the Emerald Enclave, you take care of those who care for the world. Either alongside your fellow Emerald Enclave members or by yourself, youâve learned essential skills for living with the land: how to track game, where to forage for useful herbs, and even how to forecast the weather. You use these talents to maintain the balance between civilization and the wilds and to rid the world of unnatural creatures.
Ability Scores: Strength, Constitution, Wisdom
Feat: Healer
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[med]{Medicine} and &Reference[sur]{Survival}
Tool Proficiency: Leatherworkerâs Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Greatclub, Leatherworkerâs Tools, Bedroll, Blanket, Healerâs Kit, Pole, Rations (3 daysâ worth), Tent, Tinderbox, 5 Torches, Travelerâs Clothes, Waterskin, 32 GP; or (B) 50 GP
The dead magic zones of the Anauroch desert are anathema to spellcasters and monsters that rely on magicâwhich is exactly why you made your life there. Perhaps youâre on the run from Red Wizards, or you ran afoul of a powerful djinni in Calimshan. Whatever the case, you decided that living in Anauroch was your best option. After long months or years, youâre stronger, wiser, and armed with hard-earned knowledge of desert &Reference[med]{medicine} and wasteland &Reference[sur]{survival}.
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence
Feat: Cult of the Dragon Initiate
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[dec]{Deception} and &Reference[ste]{Stealth}
Tool Proficiency: Calligrapher's Supplies
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Calligrapherâs Supplies, Dagger, Glass Bottle, Lamp, Manacles, Oil (5 flasks), 2 Pouches, Robe, Rope, 30 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You are an initiate of the Cult of the Dragon. You discovered or were brought to a cell cult, where you exemplified the values honored by dragon cultists: duplicity, secrecy, and determination. In exchange for your oath to serve the cult, the cult offered you the company of fellow dragon worshipers, plus access to resources that might help further your studies in the realms of &Reference[arc]{arcana} and occultism.
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Intelligence, Charisma
Feat: Harper Agent
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[prf]{Performance} and &Reference[slt]{Sleight of Hand}
Tool Proficiency: Disguise Kit
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Disguise Kit, Bedroll, Costume, Grappling Hook, Rope, Travelerâs Clothes, 14 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You accepted an invitation to join the Harpers, pledging an oath to uphold the Harper code and act in service to the common good. Like all Harpers, you understand the value of teamwork as well as when itâs best to go it alone. Harper veterans have taught you the orderâs secretsâmagical melodies, special watchwords, and legerdemainâand have entrusted you to use such knowledge to surveil and undermine the forces of evil.
Ability Scores: Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom
Feat: Tyro of the Gauntlet
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ath]{Athletics} and &Reference[med]{Medicine}
Tool Proficiency: Smith's Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Spear, Smithâs Tools, Bullseye Lantern, Holy Symbol, Manacles, Oil (5 flasks), Tinderbox, Travelerâs Clothes, 9 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Not all who answer the call of a higher power are content to pore over scripture in a stuffy temple apse. You chose the path of the holy warrior by joining the Order of the Gauntlet. As a knight of the Gauntlet, you exercise righteous scorn for the forces of evil, unswerving camaraderie for your siblings in arms, and heartfelt compassion for the survivors of war. With weapon and holy symbol in hand, youâve sworn not to rest until the light of justice has vanquished the shadow of chaos across FaerĂťn.
Ability Scores: Strength, Dexterity, Charisma
Feat: Zhentarim Ruffian
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} and &Reference[prc]{Perception}
Tool Proficiency: Forgery Kit
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Club, Dagger, Forgery Kit, Fine Clothes, Hooded Lantern, Oil (3 flasks), 2 Pouches, String, Tinderbox, 11 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Maybe you needed the money. Maybe you longed for a family, no matter how dubious. Or maybe youâre just good at getting the job done by any means necessary. Whatever your reason, you enlisted with the Zhentarim, the most notorious mercenary guild in the Realms. Though the Zhentarimâs leaders insist the organization is more like a family than a shadowy syndicate, few families exhibit as much dishonesty, nepotism, and corruption as this one. Youâve honed your cunning, reflexes, and blade to climb the guildâs ranks.
Ability Scores: Strength, Intelligence, Charisma
Feat: Lordsâ Alliance Agent
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ins]{Insight} and &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Calligrapher's Supplies
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) 2 Javelins, Calligrapherâs Supplies, Fine Clothes, Ink, 5 Ink Pens, Parchment (9 sheets), 13 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Youâve pledged your loyalty to a member-city of the Lordsâ Alliance. As an Alliance agent, you must uphold the tenets of the Alliance and seek to increase safety and prosperity along the Sword Coast. Youâre sworn to bring honor and glory to your lordâs house, whether that means securing trade roads for a merchant-lord of Waterdeep or vanquishing monsters upriver of Daggerford. Youâve trained in the arts of swordplay and statecraft and are as deft with a blade as you are with a quill.
Ability Scores: Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma
Feat: Crafter
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[arc]{Arcana} and &Reference[his]{History}
Tool Proficiency: Jewelerâs Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Quarterstaff, Jewelerâs Tools, Perfume, Pouch, Robe, Shovel, String, Waterskin, 16 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Mythals are sources of great magical power that can alter the Weave or even the very &Reference[nat]{nature} of reality. Most were constructed in antiquity, and many have since been damaged or gone dormant. As a mythalkeeper from the Dalelands, your first experience with a mythal was likely in the ruins of Myth Drannor. You roam FaerĂťn in search of other ruined places of power, hoping to learn more about the &Reference[his]{history} and powers of mythalsâ or even restore a malfunctioning one.
Ability Scores: Strength, Wisdom, Charisma
Feat: Purple Dragon Rook
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ani]{Animal Handling} and &Reference[ins]{Insight}
Tool Proficiency: Navigatorâs Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Spear, Navigatorâs Tools, Fine Clothes, 9 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Youâve pledged your life to the safety of Cormyr and sought admission to that realmâs order of elite warriors: the Purple Dragon Knights. But before you have the chance to join the ranks officially, you must first serve as a knightâs squire. Youâve found a liege willing to take you on and teach you the orderâs ways. Will you uphold the Purple Dragon Knightsâ ideals of glory, honor, and strength and prove yourself worthy of knighthood?
Ability Scores: Strength, Constitution, Charisma
Feat: Tough
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} and &Reference[prc]{Perception}
Tool Proficiency: Cartographerâs Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Cartographerâs Tools, Backpack, Bedroll, Hooded Lantern, Oil (3 flasks), Rope, Tinderbox, Travelerâs Clothes, Waterskin, 23 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You spent years wandering the highlands of Rashemen, a dangerous windswept heath thatâs dotted with ancient obelisks enchanted to imprison Fiends and home to dragons, gnolls, and other deadly creatures. Friendships are hard to find in such an isolated land, and youâve learned to keep strangers at a distance.
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Intelligence, Charisma
Feat: Savage Attacker
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[acr]{Acrobatics} and &Reference[ste]{Stealth}
Tool Proficiency: Thievesâ Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) 2 Daggers, Thievesâ Tools, Caltrops, Costume, Grappling Hook, Iron Spikes, Mirror, 2 Pouches, Rope, Travelerâs Clothes, 3 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You trained your whole life to become a member of the Shadowmasters, the mysterious thievesâ guild that controls the realm of Thesk from behind the scenes. &Reference[ste]{Stealth} and quick reflexes were just the start of your Shadowmaster education; you also needed to hone your ruthlessness to ensure the safety of the guildâs secrets. But one wrong move led to your expulsion from the order. Now you must walk your own path.
Ability Scores: Constitution, Intelligence, Charisma
Feat: Spellfire Spark
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[arc]{Arcana} and &Reference[prc]{Perception}
Tool Proficiency: Choose one kind of Gaming &Reference[set]{Set}
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Gaming &Reference[set]{Set} (same as above), Arcane Focus (Crystal or Wand), 2 Pouches, Travelerâs Clothes, 36 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You bear the gift of spellfire: a rare form of magic that channels the raw power of the Weave. Wielding spellfire takes a heavy toll on the body. Youâve trained both mind and body to efficiently wield this sacred power.
Ability Scores:Dexterity, Wisdom, Charisma
Feat: Magic Initiate (Wizard)
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[prc]{Perception} and &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Glassblowerâs Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Light Hammer, Glassblowerâs Tools, Fine Clothes, Lamp, Oil (3 flasks), Waterskin, 2 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Although genies no longer rule Calimshan, genie magic is still common in your homeland. Perhaps you inadvertently summoned a djinni from a magic lamp, or maybe you came upon an oasis guarded by a marid. A dao might have saved you from a landslide, or you bargained with an efreeti for fleeting wealth. However your fate intersected with that of a genie, the experience left you with a keen eye, a silver tongue, and more than a touch of magic.
Ability Scores: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution
Feat: Alert
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ani]{Animal Handling} and &Reference[ath]{Athletics}
Tool Proficiency: Woodcarverâs Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Woodcarverâs Tools, Basket, Block and Tackle, Chain, Hunting Trap, Net, Pole, Rations (3 daysâ worth), Travelerâs Clothes, 32 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You come from a proud line of ice fishers out of Ten-Towns in Icewind Dale. Catching knucklehead trout isnât the most glorious trade in the North, but itâs an honest living. Youâve trained your senses for the slightest tug on the line, wrestled big trout out of ice-covered lakes, and gutted enough knucklehead trout to feed your village many times over. These experiences have toughened your body and mind for a life of adventuring.
Ability Scores: Constitution, Wisdom, Charisma
Feat: Magic Initiate (Druid)
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[nat]{Nature} and &Reference[prf]{Performance}
Tool Proficiency: Painter's Supplies
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Quarterstaff, Painter's Supplies, Bedroll, Bell, Pouch, Robe, String, Travelerâs Clothes, Waterskin, 38 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Like many who hail from the Moonshae Isles, you grew up revering the blessed land, its unique gods, and the mysterious shrines called the moonwells. As a moonwell pilgrim, you undertook a quest to visit and commune with every moonwell on (or off) the map. Along your idyllic journeys, you collected a repertoire of Moonshavian folk songs, painted landscapes of enchanting vistas, and even learned how to wield a bit of primal magic.
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence
Feat: Lucky
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation} and &Reference[rel]{Religion}
Tool Proficiency: Mason's Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Dagger, Light Hammer, Mason's Tools, Backpack, Bedroll, Crowbar, Ladder, Pole, 2 Pouches, Rope, String, Tinderbox, 5 Torches, Travelerâs Clothes, Waterskin 26 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You grew up in a land of living god-kings, and as a child you were told countless stories of ancient empires and buried cities. In these tales, Mulhorand was a land overflowing with forgotten richesâpriceless treasures awaiting anyone cunning and brave enough to seek them out. Youâve taken it upon yourself to explore your homelandâs crypts, tombs, and pyramids to reclaim your peopleâs relics.
Your aberrant dragonmark has made life challenging since it manifested. You might have hidden it successfully for most of your life or managed to avoid notice. Alternatively, you might have encountered suspicion and fear, perhaps coupled with the outright antagonism of one or more dragonmarked houses. You might have formed an association with the House Tarkanan criminal organization (named for one of the most notorious leaders of the aberrant dragonmarked in the War of the Mark twenty-five centuries ago). Or you might struggle to find your own way in the world, relying on your wits and the power of your mark.
Youâve made a lifelong study of the lost and fallen cultures of the past, visiting their ruins, deciphering their written records, and examining their surviving masterworks. Perhaps you studied at Morgrave University or a similar institution, supplementing your time in the library with fieldwork amid ancient ruins in remote locations. Some archaeologists plunder the treasures of the past in search of wealth or fame, but most consider it their calling to learn from the past. In any case, the archaeologists of Eberron combine the qualities of learned historians with the grit of treasure hunters.
You are connected to one of the dragonmarked houses, but you havenât (yet) manifested a dragonmark. You might be a member of the family by birth or an employee of the house with no familial connection. Youâve earned your living by doing the business of the house, serving as the hands, feet, and eyes of house leadership in the world. You might have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in the house you serve, plus allies or enemies in other houses.
As a scion of House Cannith, you carry a proud legacy. Cannith creates wonders of the modern world, and youâre expected to contribute to the ongoing success of the house through invention, scholarship, business, or diplomacy. The only thing that can stand in your way is the deep rift within your own house. The sooner the three barons sort out which of them is the true head of the house (and you, no doubt, have your preference), the sooner House Cannith can claim its rightful position of leadership among all the dragonmarked houses.
As an heir of House Deneith, youâve been trained for combatânot to seek it out, but not to shy from it either. Youâve learned the importance of duty, honor, and the laws used to govern society when duty and honor fail. As you established your name in the house, you might have worked as a bodyguard for some minor dignitary, as a mercenary, or as a marshal hunting fugitives. Now youâre prepared to claim your rightful standing in the mightiest of the dragonmarked houses.
Thanks to your connections to House Ghallanda, you grew up accustomed to creature comforts, lively conversation, good drink, and delicious food. You might be a charming and witty scion of the house who loves nothing more than a pleasant evening beside a warm hearth. Or you could be a schemer who exploits bonds of trust and friendship to bend others to your will. You might pursue an adventuring career to master the cuisines of other cultures and ages, expand your network of useful contacts, or earn enough money to open your own inn.
House Jorasco teaches that illness and injury stalk the living like ghosts, robbing people of health and longevity. Youâve been taught ways to combat these scourges, both magically and medically. Youâre trained to use those skills in the service of othersâand to ascertain that you are always appropriately compensated for this service, ensuring the health and longevity of House Jorasco. You might be a kindly healer with no stomach for combat or a dispassionate specialist who knows exactly how to incapacitate or kill an enemy with precise strikes.
As an heir of House Kundarak, you take great pride in your family and its work of safeguarding the valuables of Khorvaire. Your house has always been a leader among the clans of the Mror Holds. Though it has never held the crown, it has a reputation for professionalism, honor, and order. You might strive to uphold that reputation, you might place your own sense of honor over your familyâs, or you could rebel against the houseâs expectations and fl out the demands of honor.
As an heir of House Lyrandar, the wind is your ally, the sea and sky your dominion. Despite the devastation of the Last War, your house is on the ascendancy, buoyed by its mastery of the new airship technology. You might have spent your early career on the sea as a sailor or navigator; as a shipwright; or as a member of the Raincallersâ Guild, manipulating the weather and assisting with irrigation and similar public works. Or you might have been among the fi rst in your house to take to the skies as part of an airship crew. Service to the house might call you to hunt pirates in the Lhazaar Sea, to explore ancient ruins in search of magical technology to bind elemental forces, or to salvage a wrecked airship in the Mournland.
As a member of House Medani, your life revolves around subterfugeânot engaging in it, but preventing others from doing so. You see the world around you as an intricate web of schemes, plots, and counterplots. Assessing the range of possibilities, you use instinct to predict threats to your clients and defend against them well before those threats can turn into danger. &Reference[defending]{Defending} against an assassinâs blade is a job any Deneith sellsword or Tharashk enforcer can doâmaking sure no one ever draws that blade is the Medani way.
Before the Last War, Orienâs influence covered Khorvaire, and its trade roads and lightning rails were the lifeblood of a vibrant kingdom. But the war cut those arteries, leaving Galifar dead and House Orien bloodied. While the houseâs couriers and shippers still keep goods moving on both sides of the continent, finding a way to reestablish routes across the Mournland remains the houseâs top priority. In the meantime, Orien adventurers can serve their house by investigating missing couriers, recovering goods stolen from caravans, and troubleshooting disruptions to the lightning rail.
Though you have seen wealth, fame, and beauty as a child of House Phiarlan, you consider knowledge (and the power it brings) the greatest treasure of all. You might pursue that power as an artist or performer, always alert for secrets even as you regale the world with story, song, &Reference[acr]{acrobatics}, or art. Or you might foster ties to the secretive espionage arm of your house: the Serpentine Table.
For nearly thirty centuries, your family has worked to maintain order. Communication is the cord that binds civilization together, and your ancestors settled the disputes of sovereigns and helped the dragonmarked houses find a place in the world. Few people realize the influence House Sivis has had on the shape of the modern ageâjust as few know how often a royal adviser holds more power than the actual ruler. While the other dragonmarked houses fight for fame and recognition, House Sivis plays a long game of subtle influence behind the scenes, keeping order amid the chaos of unending intrigue.
Heirs of other houses lead lives of luxury, but in House Tharashk you learned self-reliance from an early age. What your young house lacks in resources, it makes up for in spirit and determination. Tharashk has a destiny to fulfill, and you have a part in it. Whether in combat or in social interaction, you have learned to play the role of the hunter: study your enemies, exploit their weaknesses, and do whatever it takes to achieve victory.
Given House Thuranniâs short &Reference[his]{history} and focus on espionage, its leaders expect you to further the interests of the house at every opportunity. During the houseâs formative years as an independent entity, every move you make has been watched closely. This isnât to say that every Thuranni heir must actively spy at the behest of house elders. But even the houseâs most insular artists and artisans must keep up with current political events and pass on or collect information when asked.
You have grown up with respect for both family and &Reference[nat]{nature}. You understand the culture of the Five Nations, but you donât get drawn into the games of ambition and status that others play. You know the beauty and power inherent in life, the mysteries of birth and death, and the miracles that happen in between. Your insights into the natural world allow you to see through the lies and &Reference[dec]{deception} of city folkâand never let on how much of their subterfuge you recognize.
You have honed your talents of &Reference[inv]{investigation} and deductionâfueled by a boundless curiosityâto explore mysteries, find missing people, recover stolen goods, unearth corruption and conspiracies, and solve crimes. As an inquisitive, you might have pursued freelance work, signed on with an inquisitive agency (perhaps one licensed by a dragonmarked house such as Medani or Tharashk), reported for a broadsheet, or worked for a police force.
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Intelligence, Charisma
Feat: Tireless Reveler
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[dec]{Deception} and &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Choose one kind of Gaming &Reference[set]{Set}
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Dagger, Gaming &Reference[set]{Set} (same as above), Fine Clothes, Glass Bottle, Mirror, Perfume, Pouch, Tinderbox, 19 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You grew to adulthood in the beating heart of a large city, such as Baldurâs Gate. You spent countless evenings in taverns, playhouses, parlors, and gambling dens, savoring all the city had to offer. Youâre a natural at interacting with people to learn their secrets, whether over a high-stakes game or at a high-class soiree. You might have been thrown out of an establishment or ten, but only by people who donât know how to party.
Ability Scores: Strength, Constitution, Charisma
Feat: Vampireâs Plaything
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[per]{Persuasion} and &Reference[ste]{Stealth}
Tool Proficiency: Cookâs Utensils
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Cookâs Utensils, Fine Clothes, 2 Glass Bottles, Healerâs Kit, Perfume, Lamp, Oil (3 flasks), Waterskin, 19 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You were in service to a vampire or a small group of vampires lairing together. The Undead drank your blood more times than you can count. You might have served willingly, perhaps with aspirations of one day becoming a vampire yourself. Or you might have been magically charmed and retain only a few muddled memories of your time as a vampire familiar. In either case, your time in the vampire den is over.
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom
Feat: Vampire Hunter
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ins]{Insight} and &Reference[rel]{Religion}
Tool Proficiency: Woodcarverâs Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Woodcarverâs Tools, Crowbar, Hooded Lantern, Holy Symbol (reliquary), Holy Water, Mirror, Oil (3 flasks), Tinderbox, Travelerâs Clothes, Waterskin, 4 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You witnessed or survived a vampire attack. You might have been directly involved in this confrontation, or perhaps you were frozen in terror by what you saw. Regardless, you remain vigilant for monster attacks and pride yourself on being ready for anything. No vampire will catch you or your allies by surprise again.
Ability Scores: Strength, Constitution, Wisdom
Feat: Child of the Sun
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ath]{Athletics} and &Reference[nat]{Nature}
Tool Proficiency: Cartographer's Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Quarterstaff, Cartographerâs Tools, Backpack, Basket, Parchment (4 sheets), Rope, Travelerâs Clothes, 29 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You hail from Lorwyn, a land of eternal sunshine, or you have studied the place with great intensity. You consider the majestic creature Eirdu the living embodiment of the sun, and you love embarking on whimsical adventures. You hold your loved ones close, even if only emotionally, for youâve seen some venture into Shadowmoor or beyond and become faded versions of themselves. Youâre nevertheless courageous and always long for new experiences.
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Intelligence, Charisma
Feat: Shadowmoor Hexer
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[acr]{Acrobatics} and &Reference[dec]{Deception}
Tool Proficiency: Glassblower's Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Dagger, Glassblowerâs Tools, Backpack, Hunting Trap, Lamp, Oil (3 flasks), Travelerâs Clothes, Waterskin, 8 GP; or (B) 50 GP
You are from Shadowmoor or have studied it for years. Itâs a gloomy, chaotic place perpetually lit by pale moonlight. You might survive Shadowmoorâs merciless conditions thanks to your wit and cunning, or you might keep threats at bay with your brawn and bravery. Regardless of where you tread, you keenly understand that friendship is a rare commodity. You believe that knowing who to trust and who to keep at armâs length isnât just practicalâ itâs often a matter of life or death.
You are haunted by something so terrible that you dare not speak of it. Youâve tried to bury it and run away from it, to no avail. Whatever this thing is that haunts you canât be slain with a sword or banished with a spell. It might come to you as a shadow on the wall, a bloodcurdling nightmare, a memory that refuses to die, or a demonic whisper in the dark. The burden has taken its toll, isolating you from most people and making you question your sanity. You must find a way to overcome it before it destroys you.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among &Reference[arc]{Arcana}, &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[rel]{Religion}, or &Reference[sur]{Survival}
Languages: Choose two, one of which must be Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, or Undercommon
Equipment: A monster hunterâs pack (containing a chest, a crowbar, a hammer, three wooden stakes, a holy symbol, a flask of holy water, a &Reference[set]{set} of manacles, a steel mirror, a flask of oil, a tinderbox, and 3 torches), one trinket of special significance (choose one or roll on the Horror Trinkets table after this background), a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, and 1 sp.
Prior to becoming an adventurer, your path in life was defined by one dark moment, one fateful decision, or one tragedy. Now you feel a darkness threatening to consume you, and you fear there may be no hope of escape. Choose a harrowing event that haunts you, or roll one on the Harrowing Events table.
| d10 | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 | A monster that slaughtered dozens of innocent people spared your life, and you donât know why. |
| 2 | You were born under a dark star. You can feel it watching you, coldly and distantly. Sometimes it beckons you in the dead of night. |
| 3 | An apparition that has haunted your family for generations now haunts you. You donât know what it wants, and it wonât leave you alone. |
| 4 | Your family has a &Reference[his]{history} of practicing the dark arts. You dabbled once and felt something horrible clutch at your soul, whereupon you fled in terror. |
| 5 | An oni took your sibling one cold, dark night, and you were unable to stop it. |
| 6 | You were cursed with lycanthropy and later cured. You are now haunted by the innocents you slaughtered. |
| 7 | A hag kidnapped and raised you. You escaped, but the hag still has a magical hold over you and fills your mind with evil thoughts. |
| 8 | You opened an eldritch tome and saw things unfit for a sane mind. You burned the book, but its words and images are burned into your psyche. |
| 9 | A fiend possessed you as a child. You were locked away but escaped. The fiend is still inside you, but now you try to keep it bottled up. |
| 10 | You did terrible things to avenge the murder of someone you loved. You became a monster, and it haunts your waking dreams. |
Those who look into your eyes can see that you have faced unimaginable horror and that you are no stranger to darkness. Though they might fear you, commoners will extend you every courtesy and do their utmost to help you. Unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them, they will even take up arms to fight alongside you, should you find yourself facing an enemy alone.
\nYou are haunted by something so terrible that you dare not speak of it. Youâve tried to bury it and run away from it, to no avail. Whatever this thing is that haunts you canât be slain with a sword or banished with a spell. It might come to you as a shadow on the wall, a bloodcurdling nightmare, a memory that refuses to die, or a demonic whisper in the dark. The burden has taken its toll, isolating you from most people and making you question your sanity. You must find a way to overcome it before it destroys you.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among &Reference[arc]{Arcana}, &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[rel]{Religion}, or &Reference[sur]{Survival}
Languages: Choose two, one of which must be Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, or Undercommon
Equipment: A monster hunterâs pack (containing a chest, a crowbar, a hammer, three wooden stakes, a holy symbol, a flask of holy water, a &Reference[set]{set} of manacles, a steel mirror, a flask of oil, a tinderbox, and 3 torches), one trinket of special significance (choose one or roll on the Horror Trinkets table after this background), a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, and 1 sp.
Prior to becoming an adventurer, your path in life was defined by one dark moment, one fateful decision, or one tragedy. Now you feel a darkness threatening to consume you, and you fear there may be no hope of escape. Choose a harrowing event that haunts you, or roll one on the Harrowing Events table.
| d10 | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 | A monster that slaughtered dozens of innocent people spared your life, and you donât know why. |
| 2 | You were born under a dark star. You can feel it watching you, coldly and distantly. Sometimes it beckons you in the dead of night. |
| 3 | An apparition that has haunted your family for generations now haunts you. You donât know what it wants, and it wonât leave you alone. |
| 4 | Your family has a &Reference[his]{history} of practicing the dark arts. You dabbled once and felt something horrible clutch at your soul, whereupon you fled in terror. |
| 5 | An oni took your sibling one cold, dark night, and you were unable to stop it. |
| 6 | You were cursed with lycanthropy and later cured. You are now haunted by the innocents you slaughtered. |
| 7 | A hag kidnapped and raised you. You escaped, but the hag still has a magical hold over you and fills your mind with evil thoughts. |
| 8 | You opened an eldritch tome and saw things unfit for a sane mind. You burned the book, but its words and images are burned into your psyche. |
| 9 | A fiend possessed you as a child. You were locked away but escaped. The fiend is still inside you, but now you try to keep it bottled up. |
| 10 | You did terrible things to avenge the murder of someone you loved. You became a monster, and it haunts your waking dreams. |
Those who look into your eyes can see that you have faced unimaginable horror and that you are no stranger to darkness. Though they might fear you, commoners will extend you every courtesy and do their utmost to help you. Unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them, they will even take up arms to fight alongside you, should you find yourself facing an enemy alone.
\nYou have always been fascinated by other cultures, from the most ancient and primeval lost lands to the most modern civilizations. By studying other culturesâ customs, philosophies, laws, rituals, religious beliefs, languages, and art, you have learned how tribes, empires, and all forms of society in between craft their own destinies and doom. This knowledge came to you not only through books and scrolls, but also through first-hand observationâby visiting far-flung settlements and exploring local histories and customs.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ins]{Insight}, &Reference[rel]{Religion}
Languages: Two of your choice
Equipment: A leather-bound diary, a bottle of ink, an ink pen, a &Reference[set]{set} of travelerâs clothes, one trinket of special significance, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Before becoming an adventurer, you spent much of your adult life away from your homeland, living among people different from your kin. You came to understand these foreign cultures and the ways of their people, who eventually treated you as one of their own. One culture had more of an influence on you than any other, shaping your beliefs and customs. Choose a race whose culture youâve adopted, or roll on the Adopted Culture table.
Adopted Culture
| d8 | Culture | d8 | Culture | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aarakocra | 5 | Halfling | |
| 2 | Dwarf | 6 | Human | |
| 3 | Elf | 7 | Lizardfolk | |
| 4 | Goblin | 8 | Orc |
FEATURE: ADEPT LINGUISTYou can communicate with humanoids who donât speak any language you know. You must observe the humanoids interacting with one another for at least 1 day, after which you learn a handful of important words, expressions, and gestures â enough to communicate on a rudimentary level.
Anthropologists leave behind the societies into which they were born to discover what life is like in other parts of the world. They seek to see how other races and civilizations surviveâor why they did not. Some anthropologists are driven by intellectual curiosity, while others want the fame and recognition that comes with being the first to discover a new people, a lost tribe, or the truth about an ancient empireâs downfall.
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I prefer the company of those who arenât like me, including people of other races. |
| 2 | Iâm a stickler when it comes to observing proper etiquette and local customs. |
| 3 | I would rather observe than meddle. |
| 4 | By living among violent people, I have become desensitized to violence. |
| 5 | I would risk life and limb to discover a new culture or unravel the secrets of a dead one. |
| 6 | When I arrive at a new settlement for the first time, I must learn all its customs. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Discovery. I want to be the first person to discover a lost culture. (Any) |
| 2 | Distance. One must not interfere with the affairs of another cultureâeven one in need of aid. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Knowledge. By understanding other races and cultures, we learn to understand ourselves. (Any) |
| 4 | Power. Common people crave strong leadership, and I do my utmost to provide it. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Protection. I must do everything possible to save a society facing extinction. (Good) |
| 6 | Indifferent. Life is cruel. Whatâs the point in saving people if theyâre going to die anyway? (Chaotic) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My mentor gave me a journal filled with lore and wisdom. Losing it would devastate me. |
| 2 | Having lived among the people of a primeval tribe or clan, I long to return and see how they are faring. |
| 3 | Years ago, tragedy struck the members of an isolated society I befriended, and I will honor them. |
| 4 | I want to learn more about a particular humanoid culture that fascinates me. |
| 5 | I seek to avenge a clan, tribe, kingdom, or empire that was wiped out. |
| 6 | I have a trinket that I believe is the key to finding a long-lost society. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | Boats make me seasick. |
| 2 | I talk to myself, and I donât make friends easily. |
| 3 | I believe that Iâm intellectually superior to people from other cultures and have much to teach them. |
| 4 | Iâve picked up some unpleasant habits living among goblins, lizardfolk, or orcs. |
| 5 | I complain about everything. |
| 6 | I wear a tribal mask and never take it off. |
You can communicate with humanoids who donât speak any language you know. You must observe the humanoids interacting with one another for at least 1 day, after which you learn a handful of important words, expressions, and gesturesâenough to communicate on a rudimentary level.
\nAn archaeologist learns about the long-lost and fallen cultures of the past by studying their remains â their bones, their ruins, their surviving masterworks, and their tombs. Those who practice archaeology travel to the far corners of the world to root through crumbled cities and lost dungeons, digging in search of artifacts that might tell the stories of monarchs and high priests, wars and cataclysms.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[his]{History}, &Reference[sur]{Survival}
Tool Proficiencies: Cartographerâs tools or navigatorâs tools
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A wooden case containing a map to a ruin or dungeon, a bullseye lantern, a minerâs pick, a &Reference[set]{set} of travelerâs clothes, a shovel, a two-person tent, a trinket recovered from a dig site, and a pouch containing 25 gp
Prior to becoming an adventurer, you spent most of your young life crawling around in the dust, pilfering relics of questionable value from crypts and ruins. Though you managed to sell a few of your discoveries and earn enough coin to buy proper adventuring gear, you have held onto an item that has great emotional value to you. Roll on the Signature Item table to see what you have, or choose an item from the table.
Signature Item
| d8 | Item | d8 | Item | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10-foot pole | 5 | Medallion | |
| 2 | Crowbar | 6 | Shovel | |
| 3 | Hat | 7 | Sledgehammer | |
| 4 | Hooded lantern | 8 | Whip |
FEATURE HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGEWhen you enter a ruin or dungeon, you can correctly ascertain its original purpose and determine its builders, whether those were dwarves, elves, humans, yuan-ti, or some other known race. In addition, you can determine the monetary value of art objects more than a century old.
Few archaeologists can resist the lure of an unexplored ruin or dungeon, particularly if such a site is the source of legends or is rumored to contain the treasures and relics of wizards, warlords, or royalty. Some archaeologists plunder for wealth or fame, while others consider it their calling to illuminate the past or keep the worldâs greatest treasures from falling into the wrong hands. Whatever their motivations, archaeologists combine the qualities of a scrappy historian with the self-made heroism of a treasure-hunting scoundrel.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I love a good puzzle or mystery. |
| 2 | Iâm a pack rat who never throws anything away. |
| 3 | Fame is more important to me than money. |
| 4 | I have no qualms about stealing from the dead. |
| 5 | Iâm happier in a dusty old tomb than I am in the centers of civilization. |
| 6 | Traps donât make me nervous. Idiots who trigger traps make me nervous. |
| 7 | I might fail, but I will never give up. |
| 8 | You might think Iâm a scholar, but I love a good brawl. These fists were made for punching. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Preservation. That artifact belongs in a museum. (Good) |
| 2 | Greed. I wonât risk my life for nothing. I expect some kind of payment. (Any) |
| 3 | Death Wish. Nothing is more exhilarating than a narrow escape from the jaws of death. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Dignity. The dead and their belongings deserve to be treated with respect. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Immortality. All my exploring is part of a plan to find the secret of everlasting life. (Any) |
| 6 | Danger. With every great discovery comes grave danger. The two walk hand in hand. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ever since I was a child, Iâve heard stories about a lost city. I aim to find it, learn its secrets, and earn my place in the &Reference[his]{history} books. |
| 2 | I want to find my mentor, who disappeared on an expedition some time ago. |
| 3 | I have a friendly rival. Only one of us can be the best, and I aim to prove itâs me. |
| 4 | I wonât sell an art object or other treasure that has historical significance or is one of a kind. |
| 5 | Iâm secretly in love with the wealthy patron who sponsors my archaeological exploits. |
| 6 | I hope to bring prestige to a library, a museum, or a university. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a secret fear of some common wild animalâand in my work, I see them everywhere. |
| 2 | I canât leave a room without searching it for secret doors. |
| 3 | When Iâm not exploring dungeons or ruins, I get jittery and impatient. |
| 4 | I have no time for friends or family. I spend every waking moment thinking about and preparing for my next expedition. |
| 5 | When given the choice of going left or right, I always go left. |
| 6 | I canât sleep except in total darkness. |
When you enter a ruin or dungeon, you can correctly ascertain its original purpose and determine its builders, whether those were dwarves, elves, humans, yuan-ti, or some other known race. In addition, you can determine the monetary value of art objects more than a century old.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Alchemistâs supplies and tinkerâs tools.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: One gaming &Reference[set]{set} and vehicles (land).
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Brewerâs supplies and cookâs utensils.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Alchemistâs supplies and herbalism kit.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Thievesâ tools and tinkerâs tools.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Navigatorâs tools and vehicles (air and sea).
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and takŽ"ae pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Disguise kit and thievesâ tools.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: One gaming &Reference[set]{set} and vehicles (land).
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Disguise kit and one musical instrument.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Calligrapherâs tools and forgery kit.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forgóĂKĄet an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: One gaming &Reference[set]{set} and thievesâ tools.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: One musical instrument and poisonerâs kit.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: vehicles (land) and herbalism kit
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nBeing who you are, you could never be a hero. Whether due to your class, your people, your family, or your sins, something about you prevents you from effectively pursuing the path youâve chosen. Even so, that doesnât stop you. Youâve left your old face behind, taking on a new persona, becoming something more.
Characters with the faceless background don a disguise â literally or otherwise â as they adventure. This persona might be dramatic or subtle. In a way, though, many characters have such larger than life personalities. Therefore, this background largely focuses on detailing the hero behind the mask.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[dec]{Deception}, &Reference[itm]{Intimidation}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit
Equipment: Disguise kit, a costume, a pouch containing 10 gp
A faceless character adventures behind the mask of a public persona. This persona is as natural to them as their hidden, true face, but it disguises their identity. Roll on the Faceless Persona table to determine your persona, or work with the DM to create a persona thatâs unique to your character and suits the tone of your game.
| d6 | Persona |
|---|---|
| 1 | A flamboyant spy or brigand |
| 2 | The incarnation of a nation or people |
| 3 | A scoundrel with a masked guise |
| 4 | A vengeful spirit |
| 5 | The manifestation of a deity or your faith |
| 6 | One whose beauty is greatly accented using makeup |
| 7 | An impersonation of another hero |
| 8 | The embodiment of a school of magic |
| 9 | A warrior with distinctive armor |
| 10 | A disguise with animalistic or monstrous characteristics, meant to inspire fear |
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm earnest and uncommonly direct. |
| 2 | I strive to have no personality â itâs easier to forget whatâs hardly there. |
| 3 | I treasure a memento of the person or instance that &Reference[set]{set} me upon my path. |
| 4 | I sleep just as much as I need to and on an unusual schedule. |
| 5 | I think far ahead, a detachedness often mistaken for daydreaming. |
| 6 | I cultivate a single obscure hobby or study and eagerly discuss it at length. |
| 7 | I am ever learning how to be among others â when to stay quiet, when to laugh. |
| 8 | I behave like an extreme opposite of my persona. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Justice. Place in society shouldnât determine oneâs access to what is right. (Good) |
| 2 | Security. Doing what must be done canât bring the innocent to harm. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Confusion. &Reference[dec]{Deception} is a weapon. Strike from where your foes wonât expect. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Infamy. My name will be a malediction, a curse that fulfills my will. (Evil) |
| 5 | Incorruptibility. Be a symbol, and leave your flawed being behind. (Any) |
| 6 | Anonymity. Itâs my deeds that should be remembered, not their instrument. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I do everything for my family. My first thought is keeping them safe. |
| 2 | What I do, I do for the world. The people donât realize how much they need me. |
| 3 | Iâve seen too many in need. I must not fail them as everyone else has. |
| 4 | I stand in opposition, less the wicked go unopposed. |
| 5 | I am exceptional. I do this because no one else can, and no one can stop me. |
| 6 | I do everything for those who were taken from me. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am callous about death. It comes to us all eventually. |
| 2 | I never make eye contact or hold it unflinchingly. |
| 3 | I have no sense of humor. Laughing is uncomfortable and embarrassing. |
| 4 | I overexert myself, sometimes needing to recuperate for a day or more. |
| 5 | I think far ahead, a detachedness often mistaken for daydreaming. |
| 6 | I see morality entirely in black and white. |
Most of your fellow adventurers and the world know you as your persona. Those who seek to learn more about youâyour weaknesses, your origins, your purposeâfind themselves stymied by your disguise. Upon donning a disguise and behaving as your persona, you are unidentifiable as your true self. By removing your disguise and revealing your true face, you are no longer identifiable as your persona. This allows you to change appearances between your two personalities as often as you wish, using one to hide the other or serve as convenient camouflage. However, should someone realize the connection between your persona and your true self, your &Reference[dec]{deception} might lose its effectiveness.
\n","chat":""},"identifier":"background-faceless","source":{"book":"BGDiA","page":"","license":"","custom":"","rules":"2014"},"startingEquipment":[]},"flags":{"ddbimporter":{"isChoiceFeature":false,"id":62357,"type":"background","entityTypeId":1669830167,"is2014":true,"is2024":false,"legacy":false,"originalName":"Background: Faceless","dndbeyond":{}},"midi-qol":{"onUseMacroParts":{}}},"img":"icons/skills/trades/academics-book-study-purple.webp","folder":"TfID5jpNmwhQ9XK7","_stats":{"coreVersion":"14.361","systemId":"dnd5e","systemVersion":"5.3.3","createdTime":1778572630510,"modifiedTime":1778631900699,"lastModifiedBy":"27mevD1haearktUh","exportSource":null,"compendiumSource":null,"duplicateSource":null},"ownership":{"default":0,"27mevD1haearktUh":3},"sort":0}étóg. !items!IpYngHAC3CnUn8l2Ŕ\{"_id":"IpYngHAC3CnUn8l2","name":"Acolyte - Baldur's Gate","type":"background","effects":[],"system":{"advancement":{"TYBwGeeBBCL5VHnM":{"configuration":{"allowReplacements":true,"choices":[],"grants":["skills:ins","skills:rel"],"mode":"default"},"_id":"TYBwGeeBBCL5VHnM","type":"Trait","flags":{},"level":0,"hint":"","title":"Skill Proficiencies"},"AgV9WUhu9cZBZJmd":{"configuration":{"allowReplacements":true,"choices":[{"count":2,"pool":["languages:*"]}],"grants":[],"mode":"default"},"_id":"AgV9WUhu9cZBZJmd","type":"Trait","flags":{},"level":0,"hint":"","title":"Languages"}},"description":{"value":"Itâs said that every faith in the world has a believer in Baldurâs Gate. Not only are most established faiths tolerated â even if some of them, including most of the openly evil faiths, are relegated to the Outer Cityâs Twin Songs neighborhood â but new ones arrive constantly, carried by travelers and proselytizers from far-flung lands. A character with this background might aspire to greater things, not for themselves, but for their faith.
You have spent your life in the service of a temple to a specific god or pantheon of gods. You act as an intermediary between the realm of the holy and the mortal world, performing sacred rites and offering sacrifices in order to conduct worshipers into the presence of the divine. You are not necessarily a clericâperforming sacred rites is not the same thing as channeling divine power.
Choose a god, a pantheon of gods, or some other quasi-divine being, and work with your DM to detail the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your religious service. The Gods of the Multiverse section contains a sample pantheon, from the Forgotten Realms setting. Were you a lesser functionary in a temple, raised from childhood to assist the priests in the sacred rites? Or were you a high priest who suddenly experienced a call to serve your god in a different way? Perhaps you were the leader of a small cult outside of any established temple structure, or even an occult group that served a fiendish master that you now deny.
FEATURE: SHELTER OF THE FAITHFUL
As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your &Reference[rel]{religion} will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY
Youâre tightly connected with the religious community of Baldurâs Gate. You know if a deity has a following in the city and any places that faith openly congregates and the neighborhoods those faithful typically inhabit. While this isnât remarkable for most of the cityâs larger faiths, keeping track of the hundreds of religions newcomers bring with them is no mean feat.
Acolytes are shaped by their experience in temples or other religious communities. Their study of the &Reference[his]{history} and tenets of their faith and their relationships to temples, shrines, or hierarchies affect their mannerisms and ideals. Their flaws might be some hidden hypocrisy or heretical idea, or an ideal or bond taken to an extreme.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I idolize a particular hero of my faith, and constantly refer to that personâs deeds and example. |
| 2 | I can find common ground between the fiercest enemies, empathizing with them and always working toward peace. |
| 3 | I see omens in every event and action. The gods try to speak to us, we just need to listen. |
| 4 | Nothing can shake my optimistic attitude. |
| 5 | I quote (or misquote) sacred texts and proverbs in almost every situation. |
| 6 | I am tolerant (or intolerant) of other faiths and respect (or condemn) the worship of other gods. |
| 7 | Iâve enjoyed fine food, drink, and high society among my templeâs elite. Rough living grates on me. |
| 8 | Iâve spent so long in the temple that I have little practical experience dealing with people in the outside world. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tradition. The ancient traditions of worship and sacrifice must be preserved and upheld. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Charity. I always try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good) |
| 3 | Change. We must help bring about the changes the gods are constantly working in the world. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I hope to one day rise to the top of my faithâs religious hierarchy. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Faith. I trust that my deity will guide my actions. I have faith that if I work hard, things will go well. (Lawful) |
| 6 | Aspiration. I seek to prove myself worthy of my godâs favor by matching my actions against his or her teachings. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would die to recover an ancient relic of my faith that was lost long ago. |
| 2 | I will someday get revenge on the corrupt temple hierarchy who branded me a heretic. |
| 3 | I owe my life to the priest who took me in when my parents died. |
| 4 | Everything I do is for the common people. |
| 5 | I will do anything to protect the temple where I served. |
| 6 | I seek to preserve a sacred text that my enemies consider heretical and seek to destroy. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely. |
| 2 | I put too much trust in those who wield power within my templeâs hierarchy. |
| 3 | My piety sometimes leads me to blindly trust those that profess faith in my god. |
| 4 | I am inflexible in my thinking. |
| 5 | I am suspicious of strangers and expect the worst of them. |
| 6 | Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life. |
As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your &Reference[rel]{religion} will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.
Everybodyâs always trying to get a leg up on somebody in Baldurâs Gate. One groupâs con artist might be anotherâs revolutionary. Or maybe youâre just in it for yourself. In any case, characters with this background have a plan to hit the big time; all they need is audacity and a little time.
You have always had a way with people. You know what makes them tick, you can tease out their heartsâ desires after a few minutes of conversation, and with a few leading questions you can read them like they were childrenâs books. Itâs a useful talent, and one that youâre perfectly willing to use for your advantage.
You know what people want and you deliver, or rather, you promise to deliver. Common sense should steer people away from things that sound too good to be true, but common sense seems to be in short supply when youâre around. The bottle of pink-colored liquid will surely cure that unseemly rash, this ointment â nothing more than a bit of fat with a sprinkle of silver dust â can restore youth and vigor, and thereâs a bridge in the city that just happens to be for sale. These marvels sound implausible, but you make them sound like the real deal.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[dec]{Deception}, &Reference[slt]{Sleight of Hand}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, Forgery kit
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, a disguise kit, tools of the con of your choice (ten stoppered bottles filled with colored liquid, a &Reference[set]{set} of weighted dice, a deck of marked cards, or a signet ring of an imaginary duke), and a pouch containing 15 gp
Every charlatan has an angle he or she uses in preference to other schemes. Choose a favorite scam or roll on the table below.
| d6 | Scam |
|---|---|
| 1 | I cheat at games of chance. |
| 2 | I shave coins or forge documents. |
| 3 | I insinuate myself into peopleâs lives to prey on their weakness and secure their fortunes. |
| 4 | I put on new identities like clothes. |
| 5 | I run sleight-of-hand cons on street corners. |
| 6 | I convince people that worthless junk is worth their hard-earned money. |
FEATURE: FALSE IDENTITY
You have created a second identity that includes documentation, established acquaintances, and disguises that allow you to assume that persona. Additionally, you can forge documents including official papers and personal letters, as long as you have seen an example of the kind of document or the handwriting you are trying to copy.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: LONG-LOST HEIR
Youâre well-versed in the mannerisms and idiosyncrasies of Baldurian patriars and other nobles, imitating them smoothly enough to convince even the snootiest family heads of your authenticity. Youâre skilled at posing as the long-lost heir to some imaginary or extinguished patriar lineage.
Because of your skill in passing yourself off as a patriar, you have a Watch token that allows you alone into the Upper City of Baldurâs Gate. You might be able to bluff others through with you, or even convince members of the Watch that youâre a patriar. However, any true test of your authenticity is likely to reveal your &Reference[dec]{deception}.
Charlatans are colorful characters who conceal their true selves behind the masks they construct. They reflect what people want to see, what they want to believe, and how they see the world. But their true selves are sometimes plagued by an uneasy conscience, an old enemy, or deep-seated trust issues.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I fall in and out of love easily, and am always pursuing someone. |
| 2 | I have a joke for every occasion, especially occasions where humor is inappropriate. |
| 3 | Flattery is my preferred trick for getting what I want. |
| 4 | Iâm a born gambler who canât resist taking a risk for a potential payoff. |
| 5 | I lie about almost everything, even when thereâs no good reason to. |
| 6 | Sarcasm and insults are my weapons of choice. |
| 7 | I keep multiple holy symbols on me and invoke whatever deity might come in useful at any given moment. |
| 8 | I pocket anything I see that might have some value. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Independence. I am a free spiritâno one tells me what to do. (Chaotic) |
| 2 | Fairness. I never target people who canât afford to lose a few coins. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Charity. I distribute the money I acquire to the people who really need it. (Good) |
| 4 | Creativity. I never run the same con twice. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Friendship. Material goods come and go. Bonds of friendship last forever. (Good) |
| 6 | Aspiration. Iâm determined to make something of myself. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I fleeced the wrong person and must work to ensure that this individual never crosses paths with me or those I care about. |
| 2 | I owe everything to my mentorâa horrible person whoâs probably rotting in jail somewhere. |
| 3 | Somewhere out there, I have a child who doesnât know me. Iâm making the world better for him or her. |
| 4 | I come from a noble family, and one day Iâll reclaim my lands and title from those who stole them from me. |
| 5 | A powerful person killed someone I love. Some day soon, Iâll have my revenge. |
| 6 | I swindled and ruined a person who didnât deserve it. I seek to atone for my misdeeds but might never be able to forgive myself. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I canât resist a pretty face. |
| 2 | Iâm always in debt. I spend my ill-gotten gains on decadent luxuries faster than I bring them in... |
| 3 | Iâm convinced that no one could ever fool me the way I fool others. |
| 4 | Iâm too greedy for my own good. I canât resist taking a risk if thereâs money involved. |
| 5 | I canât resist swindling people who are more powerful than me. |
| 6 | I hate to admit it and will hate myself for it, but Iâll run and preserve my own hide if the going gets tough. |
You have created a second identity that includes documentation, established acquaintances, and disguises that allow you to assume that persona. Additionally, you can forge documents including official papers and personal letters, as long as you have seen an example of the kind of document or the handwriting you are trying to copy.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Long-Lost Heir
Youâre well-versed in the mannerisms and idiosyncrasies of Baldurian patriars and other nobles, imitating them smoothly enough to convince even the snootiest family heads of your authenticity. Youâre skilled at posing as the long-lost heir to some imaginary or extinguished patriar lineage.
Because of your skill in passing yourself off as a patriar, you have a Watch token that allows you alone into the Upper City of Baldurâs Gate. You might be able to bluff others through with you, or even convince members of the Watch that youâre a patriar. However, any true test of your authenticity is likely to reveal your &Reference[dec]{deception}.
\nNo career criminal in Baldurâs Gate operates without being aware of the Guild. Some studiously keep a low profile, carrying just the occasional smuggled load in with legitimate merchandise, or only breaking knees when it can plausibly be claimed as an act of personal revenge. Others join up with crews for protection, or with the Guild itself. A few former Guild members have been cast out of the organization due to incompetence or after offending a more powerful member, and now shuffle for scraps to survive.
You are an experienced criminal with a &Reference[his]{history} of breaking the law. You have spent a lot of time among other criminals and still have contacts within the criminal underworld. Youâre far closer than most people to the world of murder, theft, and violence that pervades the underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society.
Criminals are pervasive in Baldurâs Gate. If you wish, you may roll on the Criminal Origins table for an event that began your life of crime.
| d8 | ORIGINS |
|---|---|
| 1 | You crippled a Guild kingpinâs cousin without realizing the connection. You got the Guild to back off demands for your death by offering to make amends by working for the criminals, but even so the kingpin still plots a personal revenge. |
| 2 | The Guild took over your family business, ran it into the ground, and burned the building for insurance money. You were driven into crime yourself, but youâll never work for the Guild. You take special joy in hitting its targets first, tipping off its con victims and otherwise frustrating its schemes. |
| 3 | Itâs always been about money. Youâre not paid what youâre worth, working for someone who has more than they deserve. But the Guild offered you a way to fix that. You keep doing what youâve always done â guard work, dock labor, business accounting â but what you learn you pass on to the Guild. |
| 4 | The inequality of Baldurâs Gate has driven you to take matters into your own hands. You steal from patriars and rich Lower City residents, funneling the money through charitable fronts to help the needy. |
| 5 | You got into crime as a bored patriar looking for excitement. Your family has no idea of your activities, and neither does the Guild. If either of them ever finds out, your life as you know it will be over. |
| 6 | A close friend or relative joined the Guild and vanished mysteriously. Youâve worked your way into the lower ranks hoping to find out what happened to them. |
| 7 | Youâve always wanted to be a member of the Guild. As a child, you looked up to the Guild membersâ swagger, their flashy dress, and their competence, which all marked them as different from the other adults you knew. As soon as you could, you joined the organization. |
| 8 | To you, this is just a way to earn a living. You go to work, do what needs to be done, and get paid. Anyone who pursues crime for thrill-seeking, to strike back at unjust authorities, or anything else are amateurs, and theyâre liable to get you arrested or killed with their idiocy. |
FEATURE: CRIMINAL CONTACT
You have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as your liaison to a network of other criminals. You know how to get messages to and from your contact, even over great distances; specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: CRIMINAL CONNECTIONS
In Baldurâs Gate, crime is just another business. As a result, you can arrange a meeting with a low-ranking operative of nearly any business, patriar family, crew, government institution, or â certainly â the Guild. This operative will hear you out and, at their discretion, take your information or request up their chain of command. These meetings almost always occur in shady venues.
Although your capabilities are not much different from those of a burglar or smuggler, you learned and practiced them in a very different context: as an espionage agent. You might have been an officially sanctioned agent of the crown, or perhaps you sold the secrets you uncovered to the highest bidder.
Criminals might seem like villains on the surface, and many of them are villainous to the core. But some have an abundance of endearing, if not redeeming, characteristics. There might be honor among thieves, but criminals rarely show any respect for law or authority.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong. |
| 2 | I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me. |
| 3 | The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuableâor where such things could be hidden. |
| 4 | I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy. |
| 5 | I am incredibly &Reference[slow]{slow} to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. |
| 6 | I donât pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. |
| 7 | The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I canât do it. |
| 8 | I blow up at the slightest insult. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Honor. I donât steal from others in the trade. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Charity. I steal from the wealthy so that I can help people in need. (Good) |
| 4 | Greed. I will do whatever it takes to become wealthy. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. Iâm loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I care. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Redemption. Thereâs a spark of good in everyone. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor. |
| 2 | My ill-gotten gains go to support my family. |
| 3 | Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back. |
| 4 | I will become the greatest thief that ever lived. |
| 5 | Iâm guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it. |
| 6 | Someone I loved died because of I mistake I made. That will never happen again. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | When I see something valuable, I canât think about anything but how to steal it. |
| 2 | When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money. |
| 3 | If thereâs a plan, Iâll forget it. If I donât forget it, Iâll ignore it. |
| 4 | I have a âtellâ that reveals when Iâm lying. |
| 5 | I turn tail and run when things look bad. |
| 6 | An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. Iâm okay with that. |
You have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as your liaison to a network of other criminals. You know how to get messages to and from your contact, even over great distances; specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Criminal Connections
In Baldurâs Gate, crime is just another business. As a result, you can arrange a meeting with a low-ranking operative of nearly any business, patriar family, crew, government institution, or â certainly â the Guild. This operative will hear you out and, at their discretion, take your information or request up their chain of command. These meetings almost always occur in shady venues.
\nFrom the Oasis Theaterâs spectacular singers and acrobats to the pantomimes and shadow puppeteers of the Wide, Baldurâs Gate hosts a colorful array of performers. Good acts can always find ready audiences, and the constant flow of travelers means that both new spectators and new spectacles are always passing through.
You thrive in front of an audience. You know how to entrance them, entertain them, and even inspire them. Your poetics can stir the hearts of those who hear you, awakening grief or joy, laughter or anger. Your music raises their spirits or captures their sorrow. Your dance steps captivate, your humor cuts to the quick. Whatever techniques you use, your art is your life.
Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, &Reference[prf]{Performance}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, one type of musical instrument
Equipment: A musical instrument (one of your choice), the favor of an admirer (love letter, lock of hair, or trinket), a costume, and a pouch containing 15 gp
A good entertainer is versatile, spicing up every &Reference[prf]{performance} with a variety of different routines. Choose one to three routines or roll on the table below to define your expertise as an entertainer.
| d10 | Entertainer Routine |
|---|---|
| 1 | Actor |
| 2 | Dancer |
| 3 | Fire-eater |
| 4 | Jester |
| 5 | Juggler |
| 6 | Instrumentalist |
| 7 | Poet |
| 8 | Singer |
| 9 | Storyteller |
| 10 | Tumbler |
FEATURE: BY POPULAR DEMAND
You can always find a place to perform, usually in an inn or tavern but possibly with a circus, at a theater, or even in a nobleâs court. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food of a modest or comfortable standard (depending on the quality of the establishment), as long as you perform each night. In addition, your &Reference[prf]{performance} makes you something of a local figure. When strangers recognize you in a town where you have performed, they typically take a liking to you.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: BACKSTAGE PASS
Youâve learned that most of the real business of entertainment (or any other venture) happens behind the scenes. Itâs easy for you to case what sorts of audiences attend what venue â like how toughs gather at the Blushing Mermaid or how brash patriars congregate at the Helm and Cloak. After a successful &Reference[prf]{performance}, you may meet an enthusiastic member of the crowd â someone of an occupation or social class that frequents the establishment. This contact is delighted to talk with you, and to listen.
A gladiator is as much an entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can enjoy. This kind of flashy combat is your entertainer routine, though you might also have some skills as a tumbler or actor. Using your By Popular Demand feature, you can find a place to perform in any place that features combat for entertainment â perhaps a gladiatorial arena or secret pit fighting club. You can replace the musical instrument in your equipment package with an inexpensive but unusual weapon, such as a trident or net.
Successful entertainers have to be able to capture and hold an audienceâs attention, so they tend to have flamboyant or forceful personalities. Theyâre inclined toward the romantic and often cling to high-minded ideals about the practice of art and the appreciation of beauty.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I know a story relevant to almost every situation. |
| 2 | Whenever I come to a new place, I collect local rumors and spread gossip. |
| 3 | Iâm a hopeless romantic, always searching for that âspecial someone.â |
| 4 | Nobody stays angry at me or around me for long, since I can defuse any amount of tension. |
| 5 | I love a good insult, even one directed at me. |
| 6 | I get bitter if Iâm not the center of attention. |
| 7 | Iâll settle for nothing less than perfection. |
| 8 | I change my mood or my mind as quickly as I change key in a song. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beauty. When I perform, I make the world better than it was. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. The stories, legends, and songs of the past must never be forgotten, for they teach us who we are. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Creativity. The world is in need of new ideas and bold action. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Greed. Iâm only in it for the money and fame. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. I like seeing the smiles on peopleâs faces when I perform. Thatâs all that matters. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Honesty. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone I love. |
| 2 | Someone stole my precious instrument, and someday Iâll get it back. |
| 3 | I want to be famous, whatever it takes. |
| 4 | I idolize a hero of the old tales and measure my deeds against that personâs. |
| 5 | I will do anything to prove myself superior to my hated rival. |
| 6 | I would do anything for the other members of my old troupe. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâll do anything to win fame and renown. |
| 2 | Iâm a sucker for a pretty face. |
| 3 | A scandal prevents me from ever going home again. That kind of trouble seems to follow me around. |
| 4 | I once satirized a noble who still wants my head. It was a mistake that I will likely repeat. |
| 5 | I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble. |
| 6 | Despite my best efforts, I am unreliable to my friends. |
You can always find a place to perform, usually in an inn or tavern but possibly with a circus, at a theater, or even in a nobleâs court. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food of a modest or comfortable standard (depending on the quality of the establishment), as long as you perform each night. In addition, your &Reference[prf]{performance} makes you something of a local figure. When strangers recognize you in a town where you have performed, they typically take a liking to you.
Baldurâs Gate is a city badly in need of heroes, and every so often, one rises from among its own. Ordinary people who rise to greatness are beloved in local &Reference[his]{history}, but the popular imagination can turn on such champions almost as quickly as it anoints them.
You come from a humble social rank, but you are destined for so much more. Already the people of your home village regard you as their champion, and your destiny calls you to stand against the tyrants and monsters that threaten the common folk everywhere.
Folk heroes might rise from a variety of circumstances, or their origins might be a secret as they do their work anonymously. If you wish, you may roll on the Folk Hero Origins table for an event that started you down your heroic path..
| d10 | Origin |
|---|---|
| 1 | You helped get healing for a sick child. Now the sick come to you, knowing youâll help them find a way to salvation. |
| 2 | You helped break a Guild protection racket afflicting a community of immigrants in the Outer City. Now, you canât travel through that part of the city without your dozen adopted grandparents inviting you in for a meal. |
| 3 | Seeing a lost patriar after dark in the Outer City, you guided the wayward noble through back streets to safety. The patriar repaid your help by paying for improved roofs and lamps in your neighborhood, causing the entire community to celebrate your deed. |
| 4 | Fueled by alcohol, you faced down a carrion crawler that slunk out of the sewer, knocking it out with a single punch. Since then, however, the ale you once credited with your heroism has drowned it, and even your most patient admirers are losing hope. Youâre hoping for one last chance to win back the goodwill youâve drunk away. |
| 5 | You once defeated a raging bugbear with a hand mirror, a mounted deerâs head, and two kicks to the groin. Later, you and the bugbear became friends. |
| 6 | Last winter, you dove into the frigid river to haul out a foundering fishing boat with your bare hands, saving all aboard. Now, everyone on the docks knows your name. |
FEATURE: RUSTIC HOSPITALITY
Since you come from the ranks of the common folk, you fit in among them with ease. You can find a place to hide, rest, or recuperate among other commoners, unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them. They will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, though they will not risk their lives for you.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: SOCIAL VENGEANCE
Youâve lived your entire life in the Lower or Outer City of Baldurâs Gate. You grew up seeing arrogant patriars flaunt their wealth while your hardworking neighbors struggled. As a result, you know how eager commoners in Baldurâs Gate are to see any patriar get what they deserve. While in a busy part of the Lower City or Outer City of Baldurâs Gate, you can spend 2d10 minutes to convince 1d6 commoners to perform a non-illegal act that inconveniences a member of the Watch or Flaming Fist, a patriar, or some other wealthy looking individual.
A folk hero is one of the common people, for better or for worse. Most folk heroes look on their humble origins as a virtue, not a shortcoming, and their home communities remain very important to them.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I judge people by their actions, not their words. |
| 2 | If someone is in trouble, Iâm always ready to lend help. |
| 3 | When I &Reference[set]{set} my mind to something, I follow through no matter what gets in my way. |
| 4 | I have a strong sense of fair play and always try to find the most equitable solution to arguments. |
| 5 | Iâm confident in my own abilities and do what I can to instill confidence in others. |
| 6 | Thinking is for other people. I prefer action. |
| 7 | I misuse long words in an attempt to sound smarter. |
| 8 | I get bored easily. When am I going to get on with my destiny? |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. (Good) |
| 2 | Fairness. No one should get preferential treatment before the law, and no one is above the law. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Freedom. Tyrants must not be allowed to oppress the people. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. If I become strong, I can take what I wantâwhat I deserve. (Evil) |
| 5 | Sincerity. Thereâs no good in pretending to be something Iâm not. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Destiny. Nothing and no one can steer me away from my higher calling. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a family, but I have no idea where they are. One day, I hope to see them again. |
| 2 | I worked the land, I love the land, and I will protect the land. |
| 3 | A proud noble once gave me a horrible beating, and I will take my revenge on any bully I encounter. |
| 4 | My tools are symbols of my past life, and I carry them so that I will never forget my roots. |
| 5 | I protect those who cannot protect themselves. |
| 6 | I wish my childhood sweetheart had come with me to pursue my destiny. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed. |
| 2 | Iâm convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of failure. |
| 3 | The people who knew me when I was young know my shameful secret, so I can never go home again. |
| 4 | I have a weakness for the vices of the city, especially hard drink. |
| 5 | Secretly, I believe that things would be better if I were a tyrant lording over the land. |
| 6 | I have trouble trusting in my allies. |
Since you come from the ranks of the common folk, you fit in among them with ease. You can find a place to hide, rest, or recuperate among other commoners, unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them. They will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, though they will not risk their lives for you.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Social Vengeance
Youâve lived your entire life in the Lower or Outer City of Baldurâs Gate. You grew up seeing arrogant patriars flaunt their wealth while your hardworking neighbors struggled. As a result, you know how eager commoners in Baldurâs Gate are to see any patriar get what they deserve. While in a busy part of the Lower City or Outer City of Baldurâs Gate, you can spend 2d10 minutes to convince 1d6 commoners to perform a non-illegal act that inconveniences a member of the Watch or Flaming Fist, a patriar, or some other wealthy looking individual.
\nNumerous guilds and professional associations exist in Baldurâs Gate, covering every imaginable trade and discipline from gravediggers to moneylenders.
You are a member of an artisanâs guild, skilled in a particular field and closely associated with other artisans. You are a well-established part of the mercantile world, freed by talent and wealth from the constraints of a feudal social order. You learned your skills as an apprentice to a master artisan, under the sponsorship of your guild, until you became a master in your own right.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ins]{Insight}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisanâs tools
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of artisanâs tools (one of your choice), a letter of introduction from your guild, a &Reference[set]{set} of travelerâs clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp
Guilds are generally found in cities large enough to support several artisans practicing the same trade. However, your guild might instead be a loose network of artisans who each work in a different village within a larger realm. Work with your DM to determine the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your guild. You can select your guild business from the Guild Business table or roll randomly.
| d20 | Guild Business |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alchemists and apothecaries |
| 2 | Armorers, locksmiths, and finesmiths |
| 3 | Brewers, distillers, and vintners |
| 4 | Calligraphers, scribes, and scriveners |
| 5 | Carpenters, roofers, and plasterers |
| 6 | Cartographers, surveyors, and chart-makers |
| 7 | Cobblers and shoemakers |
| 8 | Cooks and bakers |
| 9 | Glassblowers and glaziers |
| 10 | Jewelers and gemcutters |
| 11 | Leatherworkers, skinners, and tanners |
| 12 | Masons and stonecutters |
| 13 | Painters, limners, and sign-makers |
| 14 | Potters and tile-makers |
| 15 | Shipwrights and sailmakers |
| 16 | Smiths and metal-forgers |
| 17 | Tinkers, pewterers, and casters |
| 18 | Wagon-makers and wheelwrights |
| 19 | Weavers and dyers |
| 20 | Woodcarvers, coopers, and bowyers |
As a member of your guild, you know the skills needed to create finished items from raw materials (reflected in your proficiency with a certain kind of artisanâs tools), as well as the principles of trade and good business practices. The question now is whether you abandon your trade for adventure, or take on the extra effort to weave adventuring and trade together.
As an established and respected member of a guild, you can rely on certain benefits that membership provides. Your fellow guild members will provide you with lodging and food if necessary, and pay for your funeral if needed. In some cities and towns, a guildhall offers a central place to meet other members of your profession, which can be a good place to meet potential patrons, allies, or hirelings.
Guilds often wield tremendous political power. If you are accused of a crime, your guild will support you if a good case can be made for your innocence or the crime is justifiable. You can also gain access to powerful political figures through the guild, if you are a member in good standing. Such connections might require the donation of money or magic items to the guildâs coffers.
You must pay dues of 5 gp per month to the guild. If you miss payments, you must make up back dues to remain in the guildâs good graces.
Youâre familiar with the cityâs crews, their territories, and inter-crew politics. Choose one of the three districts of Baldurâs Gate: the Upper City, the Lower City, or the Outer City. This is the district where you conduct most of your business. Whenever you need information about something in one of that districtâs neighborhoods, you can seek out crew members in that area and learn the local gossip. You can also gain unimpeded entry to nearly any bank, guild hall, place of business, workhouse, or crew meeting place in your district.
Instead of an artisansâ guild, you might belong to a guild of traders, caravan masters, or shopkeepers. You donât craft items yourself but earn a living by buying and selling the works of others (or the raw materials artisans need to practice their craft). Your guild might be a large merchant consortium (or family) with interests across the region. Perhaps you transported goods from one place to another, by ship, wagon, or caravan, or bought them from traveling traders and sold them in your own little shop. In some ways, the traveling merchantâs life lends itself to adventure far more than the life of an artisan.
As an established and respected member of a guild, you can rely on certain benefits that membership provides. Your fellow guild members will provide you with lodging and food if necessary, and pay for your funeral if needed. In some cities and towns, a guildhall offers a central place to meet other members of your profession, which can be a good place to meet potential patrons, allies, or hirelings.
Guilds often wield tremendous political power. If you are accused of a crime, your guild will support you if a good case can be made for your innocence or the crime is justifiable. You can also gain access to powerful political figures through the guild, if you are a member in good standing. Such connections might require the donation of money or magic items to the guildâs coffers.
You must pay dues of 5 gp per month to the guild. If you miss payments, you must make up back dues to remain in the guildâs good graces.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Professional Courtesy
Youâre familiar with the cityâs crews, their territories, and inter-crew politics. Choose one of the three districts of Baldurâs Gate: the Upper City, the Lower City, or the Outer City. This is the district where you conduct most of your business. Whenever you need information about something in one of that districtâs neighborhoods, you can seek out crew members in that area and learn the local gossip. You can also gain unimpeded entry to nearly any bank, guild hall, place of business, workhouse, or crew meeting place in your district.
\nWhile some might think it strange to find hermits in a bustling city, others know that sometimes the most profound solitude exists in the midst of a crowd. Baldurâs Gate holds a handful of souls who manage to find isolation amid its tumult.
You lived in seclusion â either in a sheltered community such as a monastery, or entirely aloneâfor a formative part of your life. In your time apart from the clamor of society, you found quiet, solitude, and perhaps some of the answers you were looking for.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[med]{Medicine}, &Reference[rel]{Religion}
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A scroll case stuffed full of notes from your studies or prayers, a winter blanket, a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, an herbalism kit, and 5 gp
Any number of personal choices or ill-fated circumstances might have led you to turn away from society. You may, if you wish, choose or roll an origin event from the Hermit Origins table.
| d8 | Life of Seclusion |
|---|---|
| 1 | You led an ill-fated expedition into the Riverveins. Your friends were swept away by flooding, and youâve never been able to shake the guilt of causing their deaths over a frivolous lark. Youâve maintained a solitary vigil outside the cavern entrance ever since. |
| 2 | You crossed the Guild in a bad way. Fortunately, its members think youâre dead. Less fortunately, maintaining that &Reference[dec]{deception} might require you to stay in hiding until you actually are. |
| 3 | You study the puzzles of mortal natures. Youâve seen followers of evil deities perform miracles for the helpless at Twin Songs, and youâve seen patriars who worship good deities turn their backs on the poor daily. Bearing witness to such things, and meditating on their contradictions, fills your hours. |
| 4 | You tend to some part of the cityâs forgotten history: the unmarked graves in Cliffside Cemetery, the crumbling remains of dead patriar familiesâ manors, or a collection of religious texts stuffed into an attic and forgotten when a believerâs patron deity died. In this solitary work, youâve learned secrets no one else knows. |
| 5 | You killed a patriarâs scion in an illegal duel. The family swore revenge, and you fled to the slums rather than risk bringing their wrath down on your kin. |
| 6 | You arenât originally from Baldurâs Gate. You came here seeking something else, only to learn that the quest that drove you had become impossible to fulfillâits object was destroyed or its purpose was negated by some superseding event. Suddenly directionless and unable to return to your homeland, you have lingered, adrift, in this wretched city. |
The quiet seclusion of your extended hermitage gave you access to a unique and powerful discovery. The exact &Reference[nat]{nature} of this revelation depends on the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your seclusion. It might be a great truth about the cosmos, the deities, the powerful beings of the outer planes, or the forces of &Reference[nat]{nature}. It could be a site that no one else has ever seen. You might have uncovered a fact that has long been forgotten, or unearthed some relic of the past that could rewrite &Reference[his]{history}. It might be information that would be damaging to the people who consigned you to exile, and hence the reason for your return to society.
Work with your DM to determine the details of your discovery and its impact on the campaign.
You know the Baldurâs Gate most Baldurians ignore, the dog-eat-dog world of the homeless and unfortunate. You know where to go in the Lower City and Outer City for anonymity. In these slums and alley camps, you can get a damp bed and a bad meal, but also a degree of privacy and no questions asked. Living here isnât comfortable, but itâs unlikely anyone will find youâand you can stay as long as you want.
This hermit background assumes a contemplative sort of seclusion that allows room for study and prayer. If you want to play a rugged wilderness recluse who lives off the land while shunning the company of other people, look at the outlander background. On the other hand, if you want to go in a more religious direction, the acolyte might be what youâre looking for. Or you could even be a charlatan, posing as a wise and holy person and letting pious fools support you.
The quiet seclusion of your extended hermitage gave you access to a unique and powerful discovery. The exact &Reference[nat]{nature} of this revelation depends on the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your seclusion. It might be a great truth about the cosmos, the deities, the powerful beings of the outer planes, or the forces of &Reference[nat]{nature}. It could be a site that no one else has ever seen. You might have uncovered a fact that has long been forgotten, or unearthed some relic of the past that could rewrite &Reference[his]{history}. It might be information that would be damaging to the people who consigned you to exile, and hence the reason for your return to society.
Work with your DM to determine the details of your discovery and its impact on the campaign.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: The Real City
You know the Baldurâs Gate most Baldurians ignore, the dog-eat-dog world of the homeless and unfortunate. You know where to go in the Lower City and Outer City for anonymity. In these slums and alley camps, you can get a damp bed and a bad meal, but also a degree of privacy and no questions asked. Living here isnât comfortable, but itâs unlikely anyone will find youâand you can stay as long as you want.
\nYou understand wealth, power, and privilege. You carry a noble title, and your family owns land, collects taxes, and wields significant political influence. You might be a pampered aristocrat unfamiliar with work or discomfort, a former merchant just elevated to the nobility, or a disinherited scoundrel with a disproportionate sense of entitlement. Or you could be an honest, hard-working landowner who cares deeply about the people who live and work on your land, keenly aware of your responsibility to them.
Work with your DM to come up with an appropriate title and determine how much authority that title carries. A noble title doesnât stand on its ownâitâs connected to an entire family, and whatever title you hold, you will pass it down to your own children. Not only do you need to determine your noble title, but you should also work with the DM to describe your family and their influence on you.
Is your family old and established, or was your title only recently bestowed? How much influence do they wield, and over what area? What kind of reputation does your family have among the other aristocrats of the region? How do the common people regard them?
Whatâs your position in the family? Are you the heir to the head of the family? Have you already inherited the title? How do you feel about that responsibility? Or are you so far down the line of inheritance that no one cares what you do, as long as you donât embarrass the family? How does the head of your family feel about your adventuring career? Are you in your familyâs good graces, or shunned by the rest of your family?
Does your family have a coat of arms? An insignia you might wear on a signet ring? Particular colors you wear all the time? An animal you regard as a symbol of your line or even a spiritual member of the family?
These details help establish your family and your title as features of the world of the campaign.
The patriars of Baldurâs Gate live in the Upper City, where they host grand galas and flaunt cosmopolitan fashions, but are walled off from the poverty and squalor of the less fortunate districts and their neighborhoods. Although they might visit prosperous Bloomridge to try a fashionable restaurant or boutique, or watch a spectacle at the Oasis Theater, the patriars have little reason to venture into the dirtier, more dangerous parts of the city. If they do, it is generally as thrill-seeking tourists or enclosed by a retinue of armed guards, not as friends or neighbors. As a result, many patriars are at once acutely attuned to the nuances of royal courts half a continent away and shockingly ignorant of what life is like for the poor outside their own doorsteps.
This combination of worldly savvy and local blindness characterizes almost all the nobility of Baldurâs Gate. As a result, for those who wish to play patriars, the Patriar feature below replaces the Position and Privilege feature of the noble background. Those who wish to use the backgroundâs standard feature might have gained their standing in Baldurâs Gate from business rather than inheritance.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[his]{History}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming &Reference[set]{set}
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of pedigree, and a purse containing 25 gp
Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.
As a member of one of the elite families of Baldurâs Gate, you may pass through city gates without paying tolls, mingle among the Gateâs nobility unquestioned, and impress those on the lookout for wealthy patrons. You are welcome in the Upper City and may stay there after dark without being harassed or evicted. Your word is accepted over othersâ without question, and any corruption among guards or government officials tends to work in your favor, not against youâat least until you make some effort to expose it.
A knighthood is among the lowest noble titles in most societies, but it can be a path to higher status. If you wish to be a knight, choose the Retainers feature (see the sidebar) instead of the Position of Privilege feature. One of your commoner retainers is replaced by a noble who serves as your squire, aiding you in exchange for training on his or her own path to knighthood. Your two remaining retainers might include a groom to care for your horse and a servant who polishes your armor (and even helps you put it on).
As an emblem of chivalry and the ideals of courtly love, you might include among your equipment a banner or other token from a noble lord or lady to whom you have given your heartâin a chaste sort of devotion. (This person could be your bond.)
If your character has a noble background, you may select this background feature instead of Position of Privilege.
You have the service of three retainers loyal to your family. These retainers can be attendants or messengers, and one might be a majordomo. Your retainers are commoners who can perform mundane tasks for you, but they do not fight for you, will not follow you into obviously dangerous areas (such as dungeons), and will leave if they are frequently endangered or abused.
Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Patriar
As a member of one of the elite families of Baldurâs Gate, you may pass through city gates without paying tolls, mingle among the Gateâs nobility unquestioned, and impress those on the lookout for wealthy patrons. You are welcome in the Upper City and may stay there after dark without being harassed or evicted. Your word is accepted over othersâ without question, and any corruption among guards or government officials tends to work in your favor, not against youâat least until you make some effort to expose it.
\nComing to Baldurâs Gate might seem like a good idea for a spectrum of reasons. Profit, excitement, and cosmopolitan opportunities all present tempting prospects, but rarely does one start on the path to Baldurâs Gate fully understanding the complex social morass that awaits. You enter the city an outsider, and itâs likely thatâno matter how long you spend in the cityâyouâll leave an outsider, if you leave at all.
You grew up in the wilds, far from the comforts of town and technology. Youâve witnessed the migration of herds larger than forests, survived weather more extreme than any city-dweller could comprehend, and enjoyed the solitude of being the only thinking creature for miles in any direction. The wilds are in your blood, whether you were a nomad, an explorer, a recluse, a hunter-gatherer, or even a marauder. Even in places where you donât know the specific features of the terrain, you know the ways of the wild.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ath]{Athletics}, &Reference[sur]{Survival}
Tool Proficiencies: One type of musical instrument
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A staff, a hunting trap, a trophy from an animal you killed, a &Reference[set]{set} of travelerâs clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Foreigners of all kinds come to Baldurâs Gate daily, drawn by countless reasons from countless lands. The Outlander Origins table provides ideas for how your character might have come to Baldurâs Gate.
| d10 | Origin |
|---|---|
| 1 | Someone stole something precious from your people. You tracked the thief to the city gates, but finding clues in an urban environment is very different from tracking someone across the wilderness. You donât know where to go from here, but your people need you to succeed. |
| 2 | Youâve always been fascinated by the glitter and glamor of city life, so different from the &Reference[slow]{slow} pace of life in your homeland. Now youâre here, ready to make your mark in the world, but unsure how to begin. |
| 3 | War, plague, famine, or a marauding monster ravaged your home, forcing you to flee for your life. You donât even know how many of your people survived or where to find them. Alone or accompanied by a handful of equally bereft survivors, you must navigate a new life that you never asked for. |
| 4 | You were captured by kidnappers and taken far from your home. The Knights of the Unicorn freed you and brought you here, but now youâre on your own. |
| 5 | You were exiled for breaking a trivial-seeming taboo. For this seemingly minor transgression, you lost your friends, family, and homeland in one fell swoop, and were given little choice but to strike out on your own. |
| 6 | A peddler once brought something astonishing to your homelandâa Gondan clockwork, shimmering cloth of gold, a trained speaking bird, or some other small wonderâand told you that it came from Baldurâs Gate. Youâve come to see the source of such wonders, and perhaps learn to create them. |
You have an excellent memory for maps and geography, and you can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements, and other features around you. In addition, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to five other people each day, provided that the land offers berries, small game, water, and so forth.
Even after your short time in Baldurâs Gate, youâve learned the city holds more walls and gates than those the Watch and Flaming Fist patrols. You are known within the cityâs immigrant communities. Should you ever need to learn about a foreign land, people, tradition, or &Reference[his]{history}, you know where to find someone with firsthand experienceâlikely somewhere in the Outer City.
You have an excellent memory for maps and geography, and you can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements, and other features around you. In addition, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to five other people each day, provided that the land offers berries, small game, water, and so forth.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Immigrant Experience
Even after your short time in Baldurâs Gate, youâve learned the city holds more walls and gates than those the Watch and Flaming Fist patrols. You are known within the cityâs immigrant communities. Should you ever need to learn about a foreign land, people, tradition, or &Reference[his]{history}, you know where to find someone with firsthand experienceâlikely somewhere in the Outer City.
\nBaldurâs Gate has a modest academic community centered around the libraries of the High Hall and the various temples dedicated to gods of learning and innovation. Lecturers, researchers, and historians all participate with passing scholars from Candlekeep in a lively exchange of ideas, debating and collaborating in book-filled halls across the Upper and Lower City. The city is also rife with opportunities for arcane study, although its masters are dispersed across individual wizardsâ abodes and lack concentrated communities.
You spent years learning the lore of the multiverse. You scoured manuscripts, studied scrolls, and listened to the greatest experts on the subjects that interest you. Your efforts have made you a master in your fields of study.
To determine the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your scholarly training, roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below.
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alchemist |
| 2 | Astronomer |
| 3 | Discredited academic |
| 4 | Librarian |
| 5 | Professor |
| 6 | Researcher |
| 7 | Wizardâs apprentice |
| 8 | Scribe |
FEATURE: RESEARCHER
When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: RUMOR MONGER
Via your personal rumor mill and articles published in Baldurâs Mouth, you can surmise a great deal about Balduriansâ secrets â whoâs practicing &Reference[nec]{necromancy}, whoâs involved in spying or smuggling, who would purchase or craft dangerous magical wares without batting an eyelash. Whenever a noteworthy crime or mysterious happening occurs in the city, you immediately have a list of 1d4 suspects who, if they arenât involved, have a strong chance of knowing who is.
Sages are defined by their extensive studies, and their characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to scholarly pursuits, a sage values knowledge highlyâsometimes in its own right, sometimes as a means toward other ideals.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I use polysyllabic words that convey the impression of great erudition. |
| 2 | Iâve read every book in the worldâs greatest librariesâor I like to boast that I have. |
| 3 | Iâm used to helping out those who arenât as smart as I am, and I patiently explain anything and everything to others. |
| 4 | Thereâs nothing I like more than a good mystery. |
| 5 | Iâm willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment. |
| 6 | I ⌠speak ⌠slowly ⌠when talking ⌠to idiots, ⌠which ⌠almost ⌠everyone ⌠is ⌠compared ⌠to me. |
| 7 | I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations. |
| 8 | Iâm convinced that people are always trying to steal my secrets. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Beauty. What is beautiful points us beyond itself toward what is true. (Good) |
| 3 | Logic. Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking. (Lawful) |
| 4 | No Limits. Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility inherent in all existence. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Power. Knowledge is the path to power and domination. (Evil) |
| 6 | Self-Improvement. The goal of a life of study is the betterment of oneself. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | It is my duty to protect my students. |
| 2 | I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands. |
| 3 | I work to preserve a library, university, scriptorium, or monastery. |
| 4 | My lifeâs work is a series of tomes related to a specific field of lore. |
| 5 | Iâve been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question. |
| 6 | I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it back. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am easily distracted by the promise of information. |
| 2 | Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I stop and take notes on its anatomy. |
| 3 | Unlocking an ancient mystery is worth the price of a civilization. |
| 4 | I overlook obvious solutions in favor of complicated ones. |
| 5 | I speak without really thinking through my words, invariably insulting others. |
| 6 | I canât keep a secret to save my life, or anyone elseâs. |
When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Rumor Monger
Via your personal rumor mill and articles published in Baldurâs Mouth, you can surmise a great deal about Balduriansâ secrets â whoâs practicing &Reference[nec]{necromancy}, whoâs involved in spying or smuggling, who would purchase or craft dangerous magical wares without batting an eyelash. Whenever a noteworthy crime or mysterious happening occurs in the city, you immediately have a list of 1d4 suspects who, if they arenât involved, have a strong chance of knowing who is.
\nBaldurâs Gate was founded by sailors, and its harbor is still the cityâs beating heart. Several patriars are descended from captains of yore, the commerce of the Lower City is built on the port, and even the Outer Cityâs rhythms are dominated by the ebb and flow of river trade. Because sailors are as fundamental and ubiquitous to Baldurâs Gate as the cobbles on its streets, characters with this background are common.
You sailed on a seagoing vessel for years. In that time, you faced down mighty storms, monsters of the deep, and those who wanted to sink your craft to the bottomless depths. Your first love is the distant line of the horizon, but the time has come to try your hand at something new.
Discuss the &Reference[nat]{nature} of the ship you previously sailed with your Dungeon Master. Was it a merchant ship, a naval vessel, a ship of discovery, or a pirate ship? How famous (or infamous) is it? Is it widely traveled? Is it still sailing, or is it missing and presumed lost with all hands?
What were your duties on boardâboatswain, captain, navigator, cook, or some other position? Who were the captain and first mate? Did you leave your ship on good terms with your fellows, or on the run?
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ath]{Athletics}, &Reference[prc]{Perception}
Tool Proficiencies: Navigatorâs tools, vehicles (water)
Equipment: A belaying pin (club), 50 feet of silk rope, a lucky charm such as a rabbit foot or a small stone with a hole in the center (or you may roll for a random trinket on the Trinkets table in chapter 5 of the Playerâs Handbook), a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
When you need to, you can secure free passage on a sailing ship for yourself and your adventuring companions. You might sail on the ship you served on, or another ship you have good relations with (perhaps one captained by a former crewmate). Because youâre calling in a favor, you canât be certain of a schedule or route that will meet your every need. Your Dungeon Master will determine how long it takes to get where you need to go. In return for your free passage, you and your companions are expected to assist the crew during the voyage.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Smugglerâs Sense
Youâre familiar with the docks of Baldurâs Gate, the movement of inspectors and tax collectors, the way cargo and coin flows. As a result, itâs easy for you to hustle a load of cargo ashore or see such a cargo onto a cooperative ship without attracting suspicion or taxation. You also know the movements of the Gray Waversâthe Flaming Fist harbor guardsâand have a sense of how to operate the cityâs mechanized cranes.
You spent your youth under the sway of a dread pirate, a ruthless cutthroat who taught you how to survive in a world of sharks and savages. Youâve indulged in larceny on the high seas and sent more than one deserving soul to a briny grave. Fear and bloodshed are no strangers to you, and youâve garnered a somewhat unsavory reputation in many a port town.
If your character has a sailor background, you may select this background feature instead of Shipâs Passage.
No matter where you go, people are afraid of you due to your reputation. When you are in a settlement, you can get away with minor criminal offenses, such as refusing to pay for food at a tavern or breaking down doors at a local shop, since most people will not report your activity to the authorities.
When you need to, you can secure free passage on a sailing ship for yourself and your adventuring companions. You might sail on the ship you served on, or another ship you have good relations with (perhaps one captained by a former crewmate). Because youâre calling in a favor, you canât be certain of a schedule or route that will meet your every need. Your Dungeon Master will determine how long it takes to get where you need to go. In return for your free passage, you and your companions are expected to assist the crew during the voyage.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Smugglerâs Sense
Youâre familiar with the docks of Baldurâs Gate, the movement of inspectors and tax collectors, the way cargo and coin flows. As a result, itâs easy for you to hustle a load of cargo ashore or see such a cargo onto a cooperative ship without attracting suspicion or taxation. You also know the movements of the Gray Waversâthe Flaming Fist harbor guardsâand have a sense of how to operate the cityâs mechanized cranes.
\nMercenaries, private guards, Watch soldiers, and members of the Flaming Fist number among just a few of the many soldiers on the streets of Baldurâs Gate.
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 &Reference[sur]{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 nobleâs or merchantâs private army, or a mercenary company.
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:
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Officer |
| 2 | Scout |
| 3 | Infantry |
| 4 | Cavalry |
| 5 | Healer |
| 6 | Quartermaster |
| 7 | Standard bearer |
| 8 | Support staff (cook, blacksmith, or the like) |
FEATURE: 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.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: CITY GUARD
You may choose to currently serve in either the Flaming Fist or the Watch. If you do, you have responsibilities related to your post. For as long as you perform these responsibilities, you gain benefits. If you stop performing your responsibilities, though, you lose access to the benefits and might suffer further fallout. Should you lose these benefits, you may regain them by having an unpleasant conversation with your commanding officer and fulfilling your responsibilities for a month.
Flaming Fist. If you serve in the Flaming Fist, once every ten days, you must report to the Seatower of Balduran for training, and youâre required to take a regular shift patrolling either the Lower City or the Outer City. In return, you have access to the Flaming Fistâs fortresses and a direct line of communication with Flaming Fist officers and other soldiers. You can also pass through the cityâs gates without question â although you canât bring guests into the Upper City as a member of the Watch might. Additionally, youâre always welcome at the Three Old Kegs, where the Three Old Toads are glad to greet you with a smile and a mug of ale.
The Watch. If you serve in the Watch, youâre required to conduct a regular patrol in the Upper City or take a regular shift at its gates, and must report for training in the Watch Citadel once every ten days. In return, you have access to the Citadel and a direct line of communication with Watch officers and officials. Your word carries considerable weight in the High Hall, and most establishments in the Citadel Streets neighborhood are happy to give you and your friends free meals. Additionally, you can escort people into the Upper City without question, regardless of whether they are patriars or have Watch tokens. Outside the Upper City, however, most people regard youĽ[čr* with suspicion, and you generally get a chilly reception while in uniform.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: LOYALTY TEST
Youâve had enough dealings with crooked soldiers that you can spot the behaviors common to corrupt guards and military officers a mile away. While awareness of such corruption doesnât equate to evidence of it, and your sense certainly isnât foolproof, your instinct proves a useful starting point when determining who might take a bribe, who might turn a blind eye to a crime, or who might have criminal connections. You can also use this sense to get a feeling about who might fulfill their duties strictly by the book.
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 | Iâm always polite and respectful. |
| 2 | Iâm haunted by memories of war. I canât get the images of violence out of my mind. |
| 3 | Iâve lost too many friends, and Iâm &Reference[slow]{slow} to make new ones. |
| 4 | Iâm 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 arenât 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 | Iâll 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 livesâand 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 | Iâd rather eat my armor than admit when Iâm wrong. |
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.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: City Guard
You may choose to currently serve in either the Flaming Fist or the Watch. If you do, you have responsibilities related to your post. For as long as you perform these responsibilities, you gain benefits. If you stop performing your responsibilities, though, you lose access to the benefits and might suffer further fallout. Should you lose these benefits, you may regain them by having an unpleasant conversation with your commanding officer and fulfilling your responsibilities for a month.
Flaming Fist. If you serve in the Flaming Fist, once every ten days, you must report to the Seatower of Balduran for training, and youâre required to take a regular shift patrolling either the Lower City or the Outer City. In return, you have access to the Flaming Fistâs fortresses and a direct line of communication with Flaming Fist officers and other soldiers. You can also pass through the cityâs gates without question â although you canât bring guests into the Upper City as a member of the Watch might. Additionally, youâre always welcome at the Three Old Kegs, where the Three Old Toads are glad to greet you with a smile and a mug of ale.
The Watch. If you serve in the Watch, youâre required to conduct a regular patrol in the Upper City or take a regular shift at its gates, and must report for training in the Watch Citadel once every ten days. In return, you have access to the Citadel and a direct line of communication with Watch officers and officials. Your word carries considerable weight in the High Hall, and most establishments in the Citadel Streets neighborhood are happy to give you and your friends free meals. Additionally, you can escort people into the Upper City without question, regardless of whether they are patriars or have Watch tokens. Outside the Upper City, however, most people regard you with suspicion, and you generally get a chilly reception while in uniform.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Loyalty Test
Youâve had enough dealings with crooked soldiers that you can spot the behaviors common to corrupt guards and military officers a mile away. While awareness of such corruption doesnât equate to evidence of it, and your sense certainly isnât foolproof, your instinct proves a useful starting point when determining who might take a bribe, who might turn a blind eye to a crime, or who might have criminal connections. You can also use this sense to get a feeling about who might fulfill their duties strictly by the book.
\nBands of orphans and runaways band together in the Outer City, running after passersby in ragged throngs to plead for scraps. In the Lower City, urchins are often recruited into the lowest echelons of the Guild or pressed into dirty and dangerous work by unscrupulous masters.
You grew up on the streets alone, orphaned, and poor. You had no one to watch over you or to provide for you, so you learned to provide for yourself. You fought fiercely over food and kept a constant watch out for other desperate souls who might steal from you. You slept on rooftops and in alleyways, exposed to the elements, and endured sickness without the advantage of &Reference[med]{medicine} or a place to recuperate. Youâve survived despite all odds, and did so through cunning, strength, speed, or some combination of each.
You begin your adventuring career with enough money to live modestly but securely for at least ten days. How did you come by that money? What allowed you to break free of your desperate circumstances and embark on a better life?
Skill Proficiencies: Sleight of Hand, &Reference[ste]{Stealth}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, thievesâ tools
Equipment: A small knife, a map of the city you grew up in, a pet mouse, a token to remember your parents by, a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
FEATURE: CITY SECRETS
You know the secret patterns and flow to cities and can find passages through the urban sprawl that others would miss. When you are not in combat, you (and companions you lead) can travel between any two locations in the city twice as fast as your speed would normally allow.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: GATEGUIDE CONNECTION
Even though you might not be a member of the Gateguides crew, youâve associated with enough of them that you know their torch-based code. From the lighting, placement, and type of torch arranged on or near a structure, you can gather a great deal of information about those who live or do business there, particularly if they deal fairly with strangers, have Guild or government connections, or have either helped or denied the Gateguides in the past.
Urchins are shaped by lives of desperate poverty, for good and for ill. They tend to be driven either by a commitment to the people with whom they shared life on the street or by a burning desire to find a better life â and maybe get some payback on all the rich people who treated them badly.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I hide scraps of food and trinkets away in my pockets. |
| 2 | I ask a lot of questions. |
| 3 | I like to squeeze into small places where no one else can get to me. |
| 4 | I sleep with my back to a wall or tree, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms. |
| 5 | I eat like a pig and have bad manners. |
| 6 | I think anyone whoâs nice to me is hiding evil intent. |
| 7 | I donât like to bathe. |
| 8 | I bluntly say what other people are hinting at or hiding. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. All people, rich or poor, deserve respect. (Good) |
| 2 | Community. We have to take care of each other, because no one else is going to do it. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Change. The low are lifted up, and the high and mighty are brought down. Change is the &Reference[nat]{nature} of things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Retribution. The rich need to be shown what life and death are like in the gutters. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. I help the people who help me â thatâs what keeps us alive. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Aspiration. Iâm going to prove that Iâm worthy of a better life. |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My town or city is my home, and Iâll fight to defend it. |
| 2 | I sponsor an orphanage to keep others from enduring what I was forced to endure. |
| 3 | I owe my &Reference[sur]{survival} to another urchin who taught me to live on the streets. |
| 4 | I owe a debt I can never repay to the person who took pity on me. |
| 5 | I escaped my life of poverty by robbing an important person, and Iâm wanted for it. |
| 6 | No one else should have to endure the hardships Iâve been through. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | If Iâm outnumbered, I will run away from a fight. |
| 2 | Gold seems like a lot of money to me, and Iâll do just about anything for more of it. |
| 3 | I will never fully trust anyone other than myself. |
| 4 | Iâd rather kill someone in their sleep than fight fair. |
| 5 | Itâs not stealing if I need it more than someone else. |
| 6 | People who canât take care of themselves get what they deserve. |
You know the secret patterns and flow to cities and can find passages through the urban sprawl that others would miss. When you are not in combat, you (and companions you lead) can travel between any two locations in the city twice as fast as your speed would normally allow.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Gateguide Connection
Even though you might not be a member of the Gateguides crew, youâve associated with enough of them that you know their torch-based code. From the lighting, placement, and type of torch arranged on or near a structure, you can gather a great deal of information about those who live or do business there, particularly if they deal fairly with strangers, have Guild or government connections, or have either helped or denied the Gateguides in the past.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Alchemistâs supplies and tinkerâs tools.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: One gaming &Reference[set]{set} and vehicles (land).
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & De(wçĆ˙velopment |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Brewerâs supplies and cookâs utensils.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Alchemistâs supplies and herbalism kit.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Thievesâ tools and tinkerâs tools.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Navigatorâs tools and vehicles (air and sea).
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Disguise kit and thievesâ tools.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: One gaming &Reference[set]{set} and vehicles (land).
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Disguise kit and one musical instrument.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: Calligrapherâs tools and forgery kit.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: One gaming &Reference[set]{set} and thievesâ tools.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: One musical instrument and poisonerâs kit.
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nYou have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, youâre likely a member of one of the houseâs influential families; otherwise youâre an outsider who hopes to make your fortune through the house. Your main task is to serve as the eyes of your house, but you could be called on at any time to act as its hand. Such missions can be perilous but lucrative.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiency: vehicles (land) and herbalism kit
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, house signet ring, identification papers, and a purse containing 20 gp.
You are always gathering information for your house. But when the barons come to you with a specific mission, what sort of work do you usually do? Choose your role or roll on the table below.
| D8 | ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acquisition |
| 2 | &Reference[inv]{Investigation} |
| 3 | Research & Development |
| 4 | Security |
| 5 | &Reference[itm]{Intimidation} |
| 6 | Exploration |
| 7 | Negotiation |
| 8 | Covert Operations |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house..
House agents are diverse. Consider the house you serve and the work you do when choosing characteristics.
| D6 | PERSONALITY TRAIT |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm always looking to improve efficiency. |
| 2 | I love to share trivia about my houseâs business. |
| 3 | I never forget an insult against me or my house. |
| 4 | Iâm enthusiastic about everything my house does. |
| 5 | I represent my house and take pride in my looks. |
| 6 | Iâm critical of monarchies and limits on the houses. |
| D6 | IDEAL |
|---|---|
| 1 | Common Good. My house serves a vital function, and its prosperity will help everyone. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. I uphold traditions of my house and bring honor to my family. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Innovation. Abandon old traditions and find better ways to do things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I want to ensure the prosperity of my house and wield its power myself. (Evil) |
| 5 | Discovery. I want to learn all I can, both for my house and for my own curiosity. (Any) |
| 6 | Comfort. I want to ensure that me and mine enjoy the best things in life. (Any) |
| D6 | BOND |
|---|---|
| 1 | My house is my family, and I would do anything for my family. |
| 2 | I love someone from another house, but the relationship is forbidden. |
| 3 | Someone I love was killed by a rival faction within my house, and I will have revenge. |
| 4 | I donât care about the house as a whole, but I would do anything for my old mentor. |
| 5 | My house must evolve, and Iâll lead the evolution. |
| 6 | Iâm determined to impress the leaders of my house, and to become a leader myself. |
| D6 | FLAW |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm fixated on following official protocols. |
| 2 | Iâm obsessed with conspiracy theories and worried about secret societies and hidden demons. |
| 3 | My house and bloodline make me the best! |
| 4 | My secret could get me expelled from my house. |
| 5 | My religious beliefs arenât widespread in my house. |
| 6 | Iâm working for a hidden faction in my house that gives me secret assignments. |
As an agent of your house, you can always get food and lodging for yourself and your friends at a house enclave. When the house assigns you a mission, it will usually provide you with the necessary supplies and transportation. Beyond this, you have many old friends, mentors, and rivals in your house, and you may encounter one of them when you interact with a house business. The degree to which such acquaintances are willing to help you depends on your current standing in your house.
\nBeing who you are, you could never be a hero. Whether due to your class, your people, your family, or your sins, something about you prevents you from effectively pursuing the path youâve chosen. Even so, that doesnât stop you. Youâve left your old face @đż\&behind, taking on a new persona, becoming something more.
Characters with the faceless background don a disguise â literally or otherwise â as they adventure. This persona might be dramatic or subtle. In a way, though, many characters have such larger than life personalities. Therefore, this background largely focuses on detailing the hero behind the mask.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[dec]{Deception}, &Reference[itm]{Intimidation}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit
Equipment: Disguise kit, a costume, a pouch containing 10 gp
A faceless character adventures behind the mask of a public persona. This persona is as natural to them as their hidden, true face, but it disguises their identity. Roll on the Faceless Persona table to determine your persona, or work with the DM to create a persona thatâs unique to your character and suits the tone of your game.
| d6 | Persona |
|---|---|
| 1 | A flamboyant spy or brigand |
| 2 | The incarnation of a nation or people |
| 3 | A scoundrel with a masked guise |
| 4 | A vengeful spirit |
| 5 | The manifestation of a deity or your faith |
| 6 | One whose beauty is greatly accented using makeup |
| 7 | An impersonation of another hero |
| 8 | The embodiment of a school of magic |
| 9 | A warrior with distinctive armor |
| 10 | A disguise with animalistic or monstrous characteristics, meant to inspire fear |
FEATURE: DUAL PERSONALITIES
Most of your fellow adventurers and the world know you as your persona. Those who seek to learn more about youâyour weaknesses, your origins, your purposeâfind themselves stymied by your disguise. Upon donning a disguise and behaving as your persona, you are unidentifiable as your true self. By removing your disguise and revealing your true face, you are no longer identifiable as your persona. This allows you to change appearances between your two personalities as often as you wish, using one to hide the other or serve as convenient camouflage. However, should someone realize the connection between your persona and your true self, your &Reference[dec]{deception} might lose its effectiveness.
A faceless character usually plays their persona â the hero or extraordinary person they are every day. Thatâs all a facade, though, or a part of them expressed to an extreme. To define a persona, feel free to choose characteristics from other backgrounds, particularly folk hero, hermit, or noble. For the person behind the persona, the one who truly strives to be faceless, consider a distinct &Reference[set]{set} of faceless characteristics. As a result, those with this background have two sets of characteristics, one for their persona, and one for their faceless selves.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm earnest and uncommonly direct. |
| 2 | I strive to have no personality â itâs easier to forget whatâs hardly there. |
| 3 | I treasure a memento of the person or instance that &Reference[set]{set} me upon my path. |
| 4 | I sleep just as much as I need to and on an unusual schedule. |
| 5 | I think far ahead, a detachedness often mistaken for daydreaming. |
| 6 | I cultivate a single obscure hobby or study and eagerly discuss it at length. |
| 7 | I am ever learning how to be among others â when to stay quiet, when to laugh. |
| 8 | I behave like an extreme opposite of my persona. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Justice. Place in society shouldnât determine oneâs access to what is right. (Good) |
| 2 | Security. Doing what must be done canât bring the innocent to harm. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Confusion. &Reference[dec]{Deception} is a weapon. Strike from where your foes wonât expect. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Infamy. My name will be a malediction, a curse that fulfills my will. (Evil) |
| 5 | Incorruptibility. Be a symbol, and leave your flawed being behind. (Any) |
| 6 | Anonymity. Itâs my deeds that should be remembered, not their instrument. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I do everything for my family. My first thought is keeping them safe. |
| 2 | What I do, I do for the world. The people donât realize how much they need me. |
| 3 | Iâve seen too many in need. I must not fail them as everyone else has. |
| 4 | I stand in opposition, less the wicked go unopposed. |
| 5 | I am exceptional. I do this because no one else can, and no one can stop me. |
| 6 | I do everything for those who were taken from me. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am callous about death. It comes to us all eventually. |
| 2 | I never make eye contact or hold it unflinchingly. |
| 3 | I have no sense of humor. Laughing is uncomfortable and embarrassing. |
| 4 | I overexert myself, sometimes needing to recuperate for a day or more. |
| 5 | I think far ahead, a detachedness often mistaken for daydreaming. |
| 6 | I see morality entirely in black and white. |
Most of your fellow adventurers and the world know you as your persona. Those who seek to learn more about youâyour weaknesses, your origins, your purposeâfind themselves stymied by your disguise. Upon donning a disguise and behaving as your persona, you are unidentifiable as your true self. By removing your disguise and revealing your true face, you are no longer identifiable as your persona. This allows you to change appearances between your two personalities as often as you wish, using one to hide the other or serve as convenient camouflage. However, should someone realize the connection between your persona and your true self, your &Reference[dec]{deception} might lose its effectiveness.
\nItâs said that every faith in the world has a believer in Baldurâs Gate. Not only are most established faiths tolerated â even if some of them, including most of the openly evil faiths, are relegated to the Outer Cityâs Twin Songs neighborhood â but new ones arrive constantly, carried by travelers and proselytizers from far-flung lands. A character with this background might aspire to greater things, not for themselves, but for their faith.
You have spent your life in the service of a temple to a specific god or pantheon of gods. You act as an intermediary between the realm of the holy and the mortal world, performing sacred rites and offering sacrifices in order to conduct worshipers into the presence of the divine. You are not necessarily a clericâperforming sacred rites is not the same thing as channeling divine power.
Choose a god, a pantheon of gods, or some other quasi-divine being, and work with your DM to detail the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your religious service. The Gods of the Multiverse section contains a sample pantheon, from the Forgotten Realms setting. Were you a lesser functionary in a temple, raised from childhood to assist the priests in the sacred rites? Or were you a high priest who suddenly experienced a call to serve your god in a different way? Perhaps you were the leader of a small cult outside of any established temple structure, or even an occult group that served a fiendish master that you now deny.
FEATURE: SHELTER OF THE FAITHFUL
As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your &Reference[rel]{religion} will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY
Youâre tightly connected with the religious community of Baldurâs Gate. You know if a deity has a following in the city and any places that faith openly congregates and the neighborhoods those faithful typically inhabit. While this isnât remarkable for most of the cityâs larger faiths, keeping track of the hundreds of religions newcomers bring with them is no mean feat.
Acolytes are shaped by their experience in temples or other religious communities. Their study of the &Reference[his]{history} and tenets of their faith and their relationships to temples, shrines, or hierarchies affect their mannerisms and ideals. Their flaws might be some hidden hypocrisy or heretical idea, or an ideal or bond taken to an extreme.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I idolize a particular hero of my faith, and constantly refer to that personâs deeds and example. |
| 2 | I can find common ground between the fiercest enemies, empathizing with them and always working toward peace. |
| 3 | I see omens in every event and action. The gods try to speak to us, we just need to listen. |
| 4 | Nothing can shake my optimistic attitude. |
| 5 | I quote (or misquote) sacred texts and proverbs in almost every situation. |
| 6 | I am tolerant (or intolerant) of other faiths and respect (or condemn) the worship of other gods. |
| 7 | Iâve enjoyed fine food, drink, and high society among my templeâs elite. Rough living grates on me. |
| 8 | Iâve spent so long in the temple that I have little practical experience dealing with people in the outside world. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tradition. The ancient traditions of worship and sacrifice must be preserved and upheld. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Charity. I always try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good) |
| 3 | Change. We must help bring about the changes the gods are constantly working in the world. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. I hope to one day rise to the top of my faithâs religious hierarchy. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Faith. I trust that my deity will guide my actions. I have faith that if I work hard, things will go well. (Lawful) |
| 6 | Aspiration. I seek to prove myself worthy of my godâs favor by matching my actions against his or her teachings. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would die to recover an ancient relic of my faith that was lost long ago. |
| 2 | I will someday get revenge on the corrupt temple hierarchy who branded me a heretic. |
| 3 | I owe my life to the priest who took me in when my parents died. |
| 4 | Everything I do is for the common people. |
| 5 | I will do anything to protect the temple where I served. |
| 6 | I seek to preserve a sacred text that my enemies consider heretical and seek to destroy. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely. |
| 2 | I put too much trust in those who wield power within my templeâs hierarchy. |
| 3 | My piety sometimes leads me to blindly trust those that profess faith in my god. |
| 4 | I am inflexible in my thinking. |
| 5 | I am suspicious of strangers and expect the worst of them. |
| 6 | Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life. |
As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your &Reference[rel]{religion} will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.
Everybodyâs always trying to get a leg up on somebody in Baldurâs Gate. One groupâs con artist might be anotherâs revolutionary. Or maybe youâre just in it for yourself. In any case, characters with this background have a plan to hit the big time; all they need is audacity and a little time.
You have always had a way with people. You know what makes them tick, you can tease out their heartsâ desires after a few minutes of conversation, and with a few leading questions you can read them like they were childrenâs books. Itâs a useful talent, and one that youâre perfectly willing to use for your advantage.
You know what people want and you deliver, or rather, you promise to deliver. Common sense should steer people away from things that sound too good to be true, but common sense seems to be in short supply when youâre around. The bottle of pink-colored liquid will surely cure that unseemly rash, this ointment â nothing more than a bit of fat with a sprinkle of silver dust â can restore youth and vigor, and thereâs a bridge in the city that just happens to be for sale. These marvels sound implausible, but you make them sound like the real deal.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[dec]{Deception}, &Reference[slt]{Sleight of Hand}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, Forgery kit
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, a disguise kit, tools of the con of your choice (ten stoppered bottles filled with colored liquid, a &Reference[set]{set} of weighted dice, a deck of marked cards, or a signet ring of an imaginary duke), and a pouch containing 15 gp
Every charlatan has an angle he or she uses in preference to other schemes. Choose a favorite scam or roll on the table below.
| d6 | Scam |
|---|---|
| 1 | I cheat at games of chance. |
| 2 | I shave coins or forge documents. |
| 3 | I insinuate myself into peopleâs lives to prey on their weakness and secure their fortunes. |
| 4 | I put on new identities like clothes. |
| 5 | I run sleight-of-hand cons on street corners. |
| 6 | I convince people that worthless junk is worth their hard-earned money. |
FEATURE: FALSE IDENTITY
You have created a second identity that includes documentation, established acquaintances, and disguises that allow you to assume that persona. Additionally, you can forge documents including official papers and personal letters, as long as you have seen an example of the kind of document or the handwriting you are trying to copy.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: LONG-LOST HEIR
Youâre well-versed in the mannerisms and idiosyncrasies of Baldurian patriars and other nobles, imitating them smoothly enough to convince even the snootiest family heads of your authenticity. Youâre skilled at posing as the long-lost heir to some imaginary or extinguished patriar lineage.
Because of your skill in passing yourself off as a patriar, you have a Watch token that allows you alone into the Upper City of Baldurâs Gate. You might be able to bluff others through with you, or even convince members of the Watch that youâre a patriar. However, any true test of your authenticity is likely to reveal your &Reference[dec]{deception}.
Charlatans are colorful characters who conceal their true selves behind the masks they construct. They reflect what people want to see, what they want to believe, and how they see the world. But their true selves are sometimes plagued by an uneasy conscience, an old enemy, or deep-seated trust issues.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I fall in and out of love easily, and am always pursuing someone. |
| 2 | I have a joke for every occasion, especially occasions where humor is inappropriate. |
| 3 | Flattery is my preferred trick for getting what I want. |
| 4 | Iâm a born gambler who canât resist taking a risk for a potential payoff. |
| 5 | I lie about almost everything, even when thereâs no good reason to. |
| 6 | Sarcasm and insults are my weapons of choice. |
| 7 | I keep multiple holy symbols on me and invoke whatever deity might come in useful at any given moment. |
| 8 | I pocket anything I see that might have some value. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Independence. I am a free spiritâno one tells me what to do. (Chaotic) |
| 2 | Fairness. I never target people who canât afford to lose a few coins. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Charity. I distribute the money I acquire to the people who really need it. (Good) |
| 4 | Creativity. I never run the same con twice. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Friendship. Material goods come and go. Bonds of friendship last forever. (Good) |
| 6 | Aspiration. Iâm determined to make something of myself. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I fleeced the wrong person and must work to ensure that this individual never crosses paths with me or those I care about. |
| 2 | I owe everything to my mentorâa horrible person whoâs probably rotting in jail somewhere. |
| 3 | Somewhere out there, I have a child who doesnât know me. Iâm making the world better for him or her. |
| 4 | I come from a noble family, and one day Iâll reclaim my lands and title from those who stole them from me. |
| 5 | A powerful person killed someone I love. Some day soon, Iâll have my revenge. |
| 6 | I swindled and ruined a person who didnât deserve it. I seek to atone for my misdeeds but might never be able to forgive myself. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I canât resist a pretty face. |
| 2 | Iâm always in debt. I spend my ill-gotten gains on decadent luxuries faster than I bring them in... |
| 3 | Iâm convinced that no one could ever fool me the way I fool others. |
| 4 | Iâm too greedy for myŁ3Č own good. I canât resist taking a risk if thereâs money involved. |
| 5 | I canât resist swindling people who are more powerful than me. |
| 6 | I hate to admit it and will hate myself for it, but Iâll run and preserve my own hide if the going gets tough. |
You have created a second identity that includes documentation, established acquaintances, and disguises that allow you to assume that persona. Additionally, you can forge documents including official papers and personal letters, as long as you have seen an example of the kind of document or the handwriting you are trying to copy.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Long-Lost Heir
Youâre well-versed in the mannerisms and idiosyncrasies of Baldurian patriars and other nobles, imitating them smoothly enough to convince even the snootiest family heads of your authenticity. Youâre skilled at posing as the long-lost heir to some imaginary or extinguished patriar lineage.
Because of your skill in passing yourself off as a patriar, you have a Watch token that allows you alone into the Upper City of Baldurâs Gate. You might be able to bluff others through with you, or even convince members of the Watch that youâre a patriar. However, any true test of your authenticity is likely to reveal your &Reference[dec]{deception}.
\nNo career criminal in Baldurâs Gate operates without being aware of the Guild. Some studiously keep a low profile, carrying just the occasional smuggled load in with legitimate merchandise, or only breaking knees when it can plausibly be claimed as an act of personal revenge. Others join up with crews for protection, or with the Guild itself. A few former Guild members have been cast out of the organization due to incompetence or after offending a more powerful member, and now shuffle for scraps to survive.
You are an experienced criminal with a &Reference[his]{history} of breaking the law. You have spent a lot of time among other criminals and still have contacts within the criminal underworld. Youâre far closer than most people to the world of murder, theft, and violence that pervades the underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society.
Criminals are pervasive in Baldurâs Gate. If you wish, you may roll on the Criminal Origins table for an event that began your life of crime.
| d8 | ORIGINS |
|---|---|
| 1 | You crippled a Guild kingpinâs cousin without realizing the connection. You got the Guild to back off demands for your death by offering to make amends by working for the criminals, but even so the kingpin still plots a personal revenge. |
| 2 | The Guild took over your family business, ran it into the ground, and burned the building for insurance money. You were driven into crime yourself, but youâll never work for the Guild. You take special joy in hitting its targets first, tipping off its con victims and otherwise frustrating its schemes. |
| 3 | Itâs always been about money. Youâre not paid what youâre worth, working for someone who has more than they deserve. But the Guild offered you a way to fix that. You keep doing what youâve always done â guard work, dock labor, business accounting â but what you learn you pass on to the Guild. |
| 4 | The inequality of Baldurâs Gate has driven you to take matters into your own hands. You steal from patriars and rich Lower City residents, funneling the money through charitable fronts to help the needy. |
| 5 | You got into crime as a bored patriar looking for excitement. Your family has no idea of your activities, and neither does the Guild. If either of them ever finds out, your life as you know it will be over. |
| 6 | A close friend or relative joined the Guild and vanished mysteriously. Youâve worked your way into the lower ranks hoping to find out what happened to them. |
| 7 | Youâve always wanted to be a member of the Guild. As a child, you looked up to the Guild membersâ swagger, their flashy dress, and their competence, which all marked them as different from the other adults you knew. As soon as you could, you joined the organization. |
| 8 | To you, this is just a way to earn a living. You go to work, do what needs to be done, and get paid. Anyone who pursues crime for thrill-seeking, to strike back at unjust authorities, or anything else are amateurs, and theyâre liable to get you arrested or killed with their idiocy. |
FEATURE: CRIMINAL CONTACT
You have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as your liaison to a network of other criminals. You know how to get messages to and from your contact, even over great distances; specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: CRIMINAL CONNECTIONS
In Baldurâs Gate, crime is just another business. As a result, you can arrange a meeting with a low-ranking operative of nearly any business, patriar family, crew, government institution, or â certainly â the Guild. This operative will hear you out and, at their discretion, take your information or request up their chain of command. These meetings almost always occur in shady venues.
Although your capabilities are not much different from those of a burglar or smuggler, you learned and practiced them in a very different context: as an espionage agent. You might have been an officially sanctioned agent of the crown, or perhaps you sold the secrets you uncovered to the highest bidder.
Criminals might seem like villains on the surface, and many of them are villainous to the core. But some have an abundance of endearing, if not redeeming, characteristics. There might be honor among thieves, but criminals rarely show any respect for law or authority.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong. |
| 2 | I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me. |
| 3 | The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuableâor where such things could be hidden. |
| 4 | I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy. |
| 5 | I am incredibly &Reference[slow]{slow} to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. |
| 6 | I donât pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. |
| 7 | The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I canât do it. |
| 8 | I blow up at the slightest insult. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Honor. I donât steal from others in the trade. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Charity. I steal from the wealthy so that I can help people in need. (Good) |
| 4 | Greed. I will do whatever it takes to become wealthy. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. Iâm loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I care. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Redemption. Thereâs a spark of good in everyone. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâm trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor. |
| 2 | My ill-gotten gains go to support my family. |
| 3 | Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back. |
| 4 | I will become the greatest thief that ever lived. |
| 5 | Iâm guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it. |
| 6 | Someone I loved died because of I mistake I made. That will never happen again. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | When I see something valuable, I canât think about anything but how to steal it. |
| 2 | When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money. |
| 3 | If thereâs a plan, Iâll forget it. If I donât forget it, Iâll ignore it. |
| 4 | I have a âtellâ that reveals when Iâm lying. |
| 5 | I turn tail and run when things look bad. |
| 6 | An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. Iâm okay with that. |
You have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as your liaison to a network of other criminals. You know how to get messages to and from your contact, even over great distances; specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Criminal Connections
In Baldurâs Gate, crime is just another business. As a result, you can arrange a meeting with a low-ranking operative of nearly any business, patriar family, crew, government institution, or â certainly â the Guild. This operative will hear you out and, at their discretion, take your information or request up their chain of command. These meetings almost always occur in shady venues.
\nFrom the Oasis Theaterâs spectacular singers and acrobats to the pantomimes and shadow puppeteers of the Wide, Baldurâs Gate hosts a colorful array of performers. Good acts can always find ready audiences, and the constant flow of travelers means that both new spectators and new spectacles are always passing through.
You thrive in front of an audience. You know how to entrance them, entertain them, and even inspire them. Your poetics can stir the hearts of those who hear you, awakening grief or joy, laughter or anger. Your music raises their spirits or captures their sorrow. Your dance steps captivate, your humor cuts to the quick. Whatever techniques you use, your art is your life.
Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, &Reference[prf]{Performance}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, one type of musical instrument
Equipment: A musical instrument (one of your choice), the favor of an admirer (love letter, lock of hair, or trinket), a costume, and a pouch containing 15 gp
A good entertainer is versatile, spicing up every &Reference[prf]{performance} with a variety of different routines. Choose one to three routines or roll on the table below to define your expertise as an entertainer.
| d10 | Entertainer Routine |
|---|---|
| 1 | Actor |
| 2 | Dancer |
| 3 | Fire-eater |
| 4 | Jester |
| 5 | Juggler |
| 6 | Instrumentalist |
| 7 | Poet |
| 8 | Singer |
| 9 | Storyteller |
| 10 | Tumbler |
FEATURE: BY POPULAR DEMAND
You can always find a place to perform, usually in an inn or tavern but possibly with a circus, at a theater, or even in a nobleâs court. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food of a modest or comfortable standard (depending on the quality of the establishment), as long as you perform each night. In addition, your &Reference[prf]{performance} makes you something of a local figure. When strangers recognize you in a town where you have performed, they typically take a liking to you.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: BACKSTAGE PASS
Youâve learned that most of the real business of entertainment (or any other venture) happens behind the scenes. Itâs easy for you to case what sorts of audiences attend what venue â like how toughs gather at the Blushing Mermaid or how brash patriars congregate at the Helm and Cloak. After a successful &Reference[prf]{performance}, you may meet an enthusiastic member of the crowd â someone of an occupation or social class that frequents the establishment. This contact is delighted to talk with you, and to listen.
A gladiator is as much an entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can enjoy. This kind of flashy combat is your entertainer routine, though you might also have some skills as a tumbler or actor. Using your By Popular Demand feature, you can find a place to perform in any place that features combat for entertainment â perhaps a gladiatorial arena or secret pit fighting club. You can replace the musical instrument in your equipment package with an inexpensive but unusual weapon, such as a trident or net.
Successful entertainers have to be able to capture and hold an audienceâs attention, so they tend to have flamboyant or forceful personalities. Theyâre inclined toward the romantic and often cling to high-minded ideals about the practice of art and the appreciation of beauty.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I know a story relevant to almost every situation. |
| 2 | Whenever I come to a new place, I collect local rumors and spread gossip. |
| 3 | Iâm a hopeless romantic, always searching for that âspecial someone.â |
| 4 | Nobody stays angry at me or around me for long, since I can defuse any amount of tension. |
| 5 | I love a good insult, even one directed at me. |
| 6 | I get bitter if Iâm not the center of attention. |
| 7 | Iâll settle for nothing less than perfection. |
| 8 | I change my mood or my mind as quickly as I change key in a song. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beauty. When I perform, I make the world better than it was. (Good) |
| 2 | Tradition. The stories, legends, and songs of the past must never be forgotten, for they teach us who we are. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Creativity. The world is in need of new ideas and bold action. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Greed. Iâm only in it for the money and fame. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. I like seeing the smiles on peopleâs faces when I perform. Thatâs all that matters. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Honesty. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone I love. |
| 2 | Someone stole my precious instrument, and someday Iâll get it back. |
| 3 | I want to be famous, whatever it takes. |
| 4 | I idolize a hero of the old tales and measure my deeds against that personâs. |
| 5 | I will do anything to prove myself superior to my hated rival. |
| 6 | I would do anything for the other members of my old troupe. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | Iâll do anything to win fame and renown. |
| 2 | Iâm a sucker for a pretty face. |
| 3 | A scandal prevents me from ever going home again. That kind of trouble seems to follow me around. |
| 4 | I once satirized a noble who still wants my head. It was a mistake that I will likely repeat. |
| 5 | I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble. |
| 6 | Despite my best efforts, I am unreliable to my friends. |
You can always find a place to perform, usually in an inn or tavern but possibly with a circus, at a theater, or even in a nobleâs court. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food of a modest or comfortable standard (depending on the quality of the establishment), as long as you perform each night. In addition, your &Reference[prf]{performance} makes you something of a local figure. When strangers recognize you in a town where you have performed, they typically take a liking to you.
Baldurâs Gate is a city badly in need of heroes, and every so often, one rises from among its own. Ordinary people who rise to greatness are beloved in local &Reference[his]{history}, but the popular imagination can turn on such champions almost as quickly as it anoints them.
You come from a humble social rank, but you are destined for so much more. Already the people of your home village regard you as their champion, and your destiny calls you to stand against the tyrants and monsters that threaten the common folk everywhere.
Folk heroes might rise from a variety of circumstances, or their origins might be a secret as they do their work anonymously. If you wish, you may roll on the Folk Hero Origins table for an event that started you down your heroic path..
| d10 | Origin |
|---|---|
| 1 | You helped get healing for a sick child. Now the sick come to you, knowing youâll help them find a way to salvation. |
| 2 | You helped break a Guild protection racket afflicting a community of immigrants in the Outer City. Now, you canât travel through that part of the city without your dozen adopted grandparents inviting you in for a meal. |
| 3 | Seeing a lost patriar after dark in the Outer City, you guided the wayward noble through back streets to safety. The patriar repaid your help by paying for improved roofs and lamps in your neighborhood, causing the entire community to celebrate your deed. |
| 4 | Fueled by alcohol, you faced down a carrion crawler that slunk out of the sewer, knocking it out with a single punch. Since then, however, the ale you once credited with your heroism has drowned it, and even your most patient admirers are losing hope. Youâre hoping for one last chance to win back the goodwill youâve drunk away. |
| 5 | You once defeated a raging bugbear with a hand mirror, a mounted deerâs head, and two kicks to the groin. Later, you and the bugbear became friends. |
| 6 | Last winter, you dove into the frigid river to haul out a foundering fishing boat with your bare hands, saving all aboard. Now, everyone on the docks knows your name. |
FEATURE: RUSTIC HOSPITALIqÂI$TY
Since you come from the ranks of the common folk, you fit in among them with ease. You can find a place to hide, rest, or recuperate among other commoners, unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them. They will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, though they will not risk their lives for you.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: SOCIAL VENGEANCE
Youâve lived your entire life in the Lower or Outer City of Baldurâs Gate. You grew up seeing arrogant patriars flaunt their wealth while your hardworking neighbors struggled. As a result, you know how eager commoners in Baldurâs Gate are to see any patriar get what they deserve. While in a busy part of the Lower City or Outer City of Baldurâs Gate, you can spend 2d10 minutes to convince 1d6 commoners to perform a non-illegal act that inconveniences a member of the Watch or Flaming Fist, a patriar, or some other wealthy looking individual.
A folk hero is one of the common people, for better or for worse. Most folk heroes look on their humble origins as a virtue, not a shortcoming, and their home communities remain very important to them.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I judge people by their actions, not their words. |
| 2 | If someone is in trouble, Iâm always ready to lend help. |
| 3 | When I &Reference[set]{set} my mind to something, I follow through no matter what gets in my way. |
| 4 | I have a strong sense of fair play and always try to find the most equitable solution to arguments. |
| 5 | Iâm confident in my own abilities and do what I can to instill confidence in others. |
| 6 | Thinking is for other people. I prefer action. |
| 7 | I misuse long words in an attempt to sound smarter. |
| 8 | I get bored easily. When am I going to get on with my destiny? |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. (Good) |
| 2 | Fairness. No one should get preferential treatment before the law, and no one is above the law. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Freedom. Tyrants must not be allowed to oppress the people. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. If I become strong, I can take what I wantâwhat I deserve. (Evil) |
| 5 | Sincerity. Thereâs no good in pretending to be something Iâm not. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Destiny. Nothing and no one can steer me away from my higher calling. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a family, but I have no idea where they are. One day, I hope to see them again. |
| 2 | I worked the land, I love the land, and I will protect the land. |
| 3 | A proud noble once gave me a horrible beating, and I will take my revenge on any bully I encounter. |
| 4 | My tools are symbols of my past life, and I carry them so that I will never forget my roots. |
| 5 | I protect those who cannot protect themselves. |
| 6 | I wish my childhood sweetheart had come with me to pursue my destiny. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed. |
| 2 | Iâm convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of failure. |
| 3 | The people who knew me when I was young know my shameful secret, so I can never go home again. |
| 4 | I have a weakness for the vices of the city, especially hard drink. |
| 5 | Secretly, I believe that things would be better if I were a tyrant lording over the land. |
| 6 | I have trouble trusting in my allies. |
Since you come from the ranks of the common folk, you fit in among them with ease. You can find a place to hide, rest, or recuperate among other commoners, unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them. They will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, though they will not risk their lives for you.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Social Vengeance
Youâve lived your entire life in the Lower or Outer City of Baldurâs Gate. You grew up seeing arrogant patriars flaunt their wealth while your hardworking neighbors struggled. As a result, you know how eager commoners in Baldurâs Gate are to see any patriar get what they deserve. While in a busy part of the Lower City or Outer City of Baldurâs Gate, you can spend 2d10 minutes to convince 1d6 commoners to perform a non-illegal act that inconveniences a member of the Watch or Flaming Fist, a patriar, or some other wealthy looking individual.
\nNumerous guilds and professional associations exist in Baldurâs Gate, covering every imaginable trade and discipline from gravediggers to moneylenders.
You are a member of an artisanâs guild, skilled in a particular field and closely associated with other artisans. You are a well-established part of the mercantile world, freed by talent and wealth from the constraints of a feudal social order. You learned your skills as an apprentice to a master artisan, under the sponsorship of your guild, until you became a master in your own right.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ins]{Insight}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisanâs tools
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of artisanâs tools (one of your choice), a letter of introduction from your guild, a &Reference[set]{set} of travelerâs clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp
Guilds are generally found in cities large enough to support several artisans practicing the same trade. However, your guild might instead be a loose network of artisans who each work in a different village within a larger realm. Work with your DM to determine the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your guild. You can select your guild business from the Guild Business table or roll randomly.
| d20 | Guild Business |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alchemists and apothecaries |
| 2 | Armorers, locksmiths, and finesmiths |
| 3 | Brewers, distillers, and vintners |
| 4 | Calligraphers, scribes, and scriveners |
| 5 | Carpenters, roofers, and plasterers |
| 6 | Cartographers, surveyors, and chart-makers |
| 7 | Cobblers and shoemakers |
| 8 | Cooks and bakers |
| 9 | Glassblowers and glaziers |
| 10 | Jewelers and gemcutters |
| 11 | Leatherworkers, skinners, and tanners |
| 12 | Masons and stonecutters |
| 13 | Painters, limners, and sign-makers |
| 14 | Potters and tile-makers |
| 15 | Shipwrights and sailmakers |
| 16 | Smiths and metal-forgers |
| 17 | Tinkers, pewterers, and casters |
| 18 | Wagon-makers and wheelwrights |
| 19 | Weavers and dyers |
| 20 | Woodcarvers, coopers, and bowyers |
As a member of your guild, you know the skills needed to create finished items from raw materials (reflected in your proficiency with a certain kind of artisanâs tools), as well as the principles of trade and good business practices. The question now is whether you abandon your trade for adventure, or take on the extra effort to weave adventuring and trade together.
As an established and respected member of a guild, you can rely on certain benefits that membership provides. Your fellow guild members will provide you with lodging and food if necessary, and pay for your funeral if needed. In some cities and towns, a guildhall offers a central place to meet other members of your profession, which can be a good place to meet potential patrons, allies, or hirelings.
Guilds often wield tremendous political power. If you are accused of a crime, your guild will support you if a good case can be made for your innocence or the crime is justifiable. You can also gain access to powerful political figures through the guild, if you are a member in good standing. Such connections might require the donation of money or magic items to the guildâs coffers.
You must pay dues of 5 gp per month to the guild. If you miss payments, you must make up back dues to remain in the guildâs good graces.
Youâre familiar with the cityâs crews, their territories, and inter-crew politics. Choose one of the three districts of Baldurâs Gate: the Upper City, the Lower City, or the Outer City. This is the district where you conduct most of your business. Whenever you need information about something in one of that districtâs neighborhoods, you can seek out crew members in that area and learn the local gossip. You can also gain unimpeded entry to nearly any bank, guild hall, place of business, workhouse, or crew meeting place in your district.
Instead of an artisansâ guild, you might belong to a guild of traders, caravan masters, or shopkeepers. You donât craft items yourself but earn a living by buying and selling the works of others (or the raw materials artisans need to practice their craft). Your guild might be a large merchant consortium (or family) with interests across the region. Perhaps you transported goods from one place to another, by ship, wagon, or caravan, or bought them from traveling traders and sold them in your own little shop. In some ways, the traveling merchantâs life lends itself to adventure far more than the life of an artisan.
As an established and respected member of a guild, you can rely on certain benefits that membership provides. Your fellow guild members will provide you with lodging and food if necessary, and pay for your funeral if needed. In some cities and towns, a guildhall offers a central place to meet other members of your profession, which can be a good place to meet potential patrons, allies, or hirelings.
Guilds often wield tremendous political power. If you are accused of a crime, your guild will support you if a good case can be made for your innocence or the crime is justifiable. You can also gain access to powerful political figures through the guild, if you are a member in good standing. Such connections might require the donation of money or magic items to the guildâs coffers.
You must pay dues of 5 gp per month to the guild. If you miss payments, you must make up back dues to remain in the guildâs good graces.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Professional Courtesy
Youâre familiar with the cityâs crews, their territories, and inter-crew politics. Choose one of the three districts of Baldurâs Gate: the Upper City, the Lower City, or the Outer City. This is the district where you conduct most of your business. Whenever you need information about something in one of that districtâs neighborhoods, you can seek out crew members in that area and learn the local gossip. You can also gain unimpeded entry to nearly any bank, guild hall, place of business, workhouse, or crew meeting place in your district.
\nWhile some might think it strange to find hermits in a bustling city, others know that sometimes the most profound solitude exists in the midst of a crowd. Baldurâs Gate holds a handful of souls who manage to find isolation amid its tumult.
You lived in seclusion â either in a sheltered community such as a monastery, or entirely aloneâfor a formative part of your life. In your time apart from the clamor of society, you found quiet, solitude, and perhaps some of the answers you were looking for.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[med]{Medicine}, &Reference[rel]{Religion}
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A scroll case stuffed full of notes from your studies or prayers, a winter blanket, a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, an herbalism kit, and 5 gp
Any number of personal choices or ill-fated circumstances might have led you to turn away from society. You may, if you wish, choose or roll an origin event from the Hermit Origins table.
| d8 | Life of Seclusion |
|---|---|
| 1 | You led an ill-fated expedition into the Riverveins. Your friends were swept away by flooding, and youâve never been able to shake the guilt of causing their deaths over a frivolous lark. Youâve maintained a solitary vigil outside the cavern entrance ever since. |
| 2 | You crossed the Guild in a bad way. Fortunately, its members think youâre dead. Less fortunately, maintaining that &Reference[dec]{deception} might require you to stay in hiding until you actually are. |
| 3 | You study the puzzles of mortal natures. Youâve seen followers of evil deities perform miracles for the helpless at Twin Songs, and youâve seen patriars who worship good deities turn their backs on the poor daily. Bearing witness to such things, and meditating on their contradictions, fills your hours. |
| 4 | You tend to some part of the cityâs forgotten history: the unmarked graves in Cliffside Cemetery, the crumbling remains of dead patriar familiesâ manors, or a collection of religious texts stuffed into an attic and forgotten when a believerâs patron deity died. In this solitary work, youâve learned secrets no one else knows. |
| 5 | You killed a patriarâs scion in an illegal duel. The family swore revenge, and you fled to the slums rather than risk bringing their wrath down on your kin. |
| 6 | You arenât originally from Baldurâs Gate. You came here seeking something else, only to learn that the quest that drove you had become impossible to fulfillâits object was destroyed or its purpose was negated by some superseding event. Suddenly directionless and unable to return to your homeland, you have lingered, adrift, in this wretched city. |
The quiet seclusion of your extended hermitage gave you access to a unique and powerful discovery. The exact &Reference[nat]{nature} of this revelation depends on the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your seclusion. It might be a great truth about the cosmos, the deities, the powerful beings of the outer planes, or the forces of &Reference[nat]{nature}. It could be a site that no one else has ever seen. You might have uncovered a fact that has long been forgotten, or unearthed some relic of the past that could rewrite &Reference[his]{history}. It might be information that would be damaging to the people who consigned you to exile, and hence the reason for your return to society.
Work with your DM to determine the details of your discovery and its impact on the campaign.
You know the Baldurâs Gate most Baldurians ignore, the dog-eat-dog world of the homeless and unfortunate. You know where to go in the Lower City and Outer City for anonymity. In these slums and alley camps, you can get a damp bed and a bad meal, but also a degree of privacy and no questions asked. Living here isnât comfortable, but itâs unlikely anyone will find youâand you can stay as long as you want.
This hermit background assumes a contemplative sort of seclusion that allows room for study and prayer. If you want to play a rugged wilderness recluse who lives off the land while shunning the company of other people, look at the outlander background. On the other hand, if you want to go in a more religious direction, the acolyte might be what youâre looking for. Or you could even be a charlatan, posing as a wise and holy person and letting pious fools support you.
The quiet seclusion of your extended hermitage gave you access to a unique and powerful discovery. The exact &Reference[nat]{nature} of this revelation depends on the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your seclusion. It might be a great truth about the cosmos, the deities, the powerful beings of the outer planes, or the forces of &Reference[nat]{nature}. It could be a site that no one else has ever seen. You might have uncovered a fact that has long been forgotten, or unearthed some relic of the past that could rewrite &Reference[his]{history}. It might be information that would be damaging to the people who consigned you to exile, and hence the reason for your return to society.
Work with your DM to determine the details of your discovery and its impact on the campaign.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: The Real City
You know the Baldurâs Gate most Baldurians ignore, the dog-eat-dog world of the homeless and unfortunate. You know where to go in the Lower City and Outer City for anonymity. In these slums and alley camps, you can get a damp bed and a bad meal, but also a degree of privacy and no questions asked. Living here isnât comfortable, but itâs unlikely anyone will find youâand you can stay as long as you want.
\nYou understand wealth, power, and privilege. You carry a noble title, and your family owns land, collects taxes, and wields significant political influence. You might be a pampered aristocrat unfamiliar with work or discomfort, a former merchant just elevated to the nobility, or a disinherited scoundrel with a disproportionate sense of entitlement. Or you could be an honest, hard-working landowner who cares deeply about the people who live and work on your land, keenly aware of your responsibility to them.
Work with your DM to come up with an appropriate title and determine how much authority that title carries. A noble title doesnât stand on its ownâitâs connected to an entire family, and whatever title you hold, you will pass it down to your own children. Not only do you need to determine your noble title, but you should also work with the DM to describe your family and their influence on you.
Is your family old and established, or was your title only recently bestowed? How much influence do they wield, and over what area? What kind of reputation does your family have among the other aristocrats of the region? How do the common people regard them?
Whatâs your position in the family? Are you the heir to the head of the family? Have you already inherited the title? How do you feel about that responsibility? Or are you so far down the line of inheritance that no one cares what you do, as long as you donât embarrass the family? How does the head of your family feel about your adventuring career? Are you in your familyâs good graces, or shunned by the rest of your family?
Does your family have a coat of arms? An insignia you might wear on a signet ring? Particular colors you wear all the time? An animal you regard as a symbol of your line or even a spiritual member of the family?
These details help establish your family and your title as features of the world of the campaign.
The patriars of Baldurâs Gate live in the Upper City, where they host grand galas and flaunt cosmopolitan fashions, but are walled off from the poverty and squalor of the less fortunate districts and their neighborhoods. Although they might visit prosperous Bloomridge to try a fashionable restaurant or boutique, or watch a spectacle at the Oasis Theater, the patriars have little reason to venture into the dirtier, more dangerous parts of the city. If they do, it is generally as thrill-seeking tourists or enclosed by a retinue of armed guards, not as friends or neighbors. As a result, many patriars are at once acutely attuned to the nuances of royal courts half a continent away and shockingly ignorant of what life is like for the poor outside their own doorsteps.
This combination of worldly savvy and local blindness characterizes almost all the nobility of Baldurâs Gate. As a result, for those who wish to play patriars, the Patriar feature below replaces the Position and Privilege feature of the noble background. Those who wish to use the backgroundâs standard feature might have gained their standing in Baldurâs Gate from business rather than inheritance.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[his]{History}, &Reference[per]{Persuasion}
Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming &Reference[set]{set}
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of fine clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of pedigree, and a purse containing 25 gp
Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.
As a member of one of the elite families of Baldurâs Gate, you may pass through city gates without paying tolls, mingle among the Gateâs nobility unquestioned, and impress those on the lookout for wealthy patrons. You are welcome in the Upper City and may stay there after dark without being harassed or evicted. Your word is accepted over othersâ without question, and any corruption among guards or government officials tends to work in your favor, not against youâat least until you make some effort to expose it.
A knighthood is among the lowest noble titles in most societŮäF ies, but it can be a path to higher status. If you wish to be a knight, choose the Retainers feature (see the sidebar) instead of the Position of Privilege feature. One of your commoner retainers is replaced by a noble who serves as your squire, aiding you in exchange for training on his or her own path to knighthood. Your two remaining retainers might include a groom to care for your horse and a servant who polishes your armor (and even helps you put it on).
As an emblem of chivalry and the ideals of courtly love, you might include among your equipment a banner or other token from a noble lord or lady to whom you have given your heartâin a chaste sort of devotion. (This person could be your bond.)
If your character has a noble background, you may select this background feature instead of Position of Privilege.
You have the service of three retainers loyal to your family. These retainers can be attendants or messengers, and one might be a majordomo. Your retainers are commoners who can perform mundane tasks for you, but they do not fight for you, will not follow you into obviously dangerous areas (such as dungeons), and will leave if they are frequently endangered or abused.
Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Patriar
As a member of one of the elite families of Baldurâs Gate, you may pass through city gates without paying tolls, mingle among the Gateâs nobility unquestioned, and impress those on the lookout for wealthy patrons. You are welcome in the Upper City and may stay there after dark without being harassed or evicted. Your word is accepted over othersâ without question, and any corruption among guards or government officials tends to work in your favor, not against youâat least until you make some effort to expose it.
\nComing to Baldurâs Gate might seem like a good idea for a spectrum of reasons. Profit, excitement, and cosmopolitan opportunities all present tempting prospects, but rarely does one start on the path to Baldurâs Gate fully understanding the complex social morass that awaits. You enter the city an outsider, and itâs likely thatâno matter how long you spend in the cityâyouâll leave an outsider, if you leave at all.
You grew up in the wilds, far from the comforts of town and technology. Youâve witnessed the migration of herds larger than forests, survived weather more extreme than any city-dweller could comprehend, and enjoyed the solitude of being the only thinking creature for miles in any direction. The wilds are in your blood, whether you were a nomad, an explorer, a recluse, a hunter-gatherer, or even a marauder. Even in places where you donât know the specific features of the terrain, you know the ways of the wild.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ath]{Athletics}, &Reference[sur]{Survival}
Tool Proficiencies: One type of musical instrument
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A staff, a hunting trap, a trophy from an animal you killed, a &Reference[set]{set} of travelerâs clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Foreigners of all kinds come to Baldurâs Gate daily, drawn by countless reasons from countless lands. The Outlander Origins table provides ideas for how your character might have come to Baldurâs Gate.
| d10 | Origin |
|---|---|
| 1 | Someone stole something precious from your people. You tracked the thief to the city gates, but finding clues in an urban environment is very different from tracking someone across the wilderness. You donât know where to go from here, but your people need you to succeed. |
| 2 | Youâve always been fascinated by the glitter and glamor of city life, so different from the &Reference[slow]{slow} pace of life in your homeland. Now youâre here, ready to make your mark in the world, but unsure how to begin. |
| 3 | War, plague, famine, or a marauding monster ravaged your home, forcing you to flee for your life. You donât even know how many of your people survived or where to find them. Alone or accompanied by a handful of equally bereft survivors, you must navigate a new life that you never asked for. |
| 4 | You were captured by kidnappers and taken far from your home. The Knights of the Unicorn freed you and brought you here, but now youâre on your own. |
| 5 | You were exiled for breaking a trivial-seeming taboo. For this seemingly minor transgression, you lost your friends, family, and homeland in one fell swoop, and were given little choice but to strike out on your own. |
| 6 | A peddler once brought something astonishing to your homelandâa Gondan clockwork, shimmering cloth of gold, a trained speaking bird, or some other small wonderâand told you that it came from Baldurâs Gate. Youâve come to see the source of such wonders, and perhaps learn to create them. |
You have an excellent memory for maps and geography, and you can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements, and other features around you. In addition, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to five other people each day, provided that the land offers berries, small game, water, and so forth.
Even after your short time in Baldurâs Gate, youâve learned the city holds more walls and gates than those the Watch and Flaming Fist patrols. You are known within the cityâs immigrant communities. Should you ever need to learn about a foreign land, people, tradition, or &Reference[his]{history}, you know where to find someone with firsthand experienceâlikely somewhere in the Outer City.
You have an excellent memory for maps and geography, and you can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements, and other features around you. In addition, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to five other people each day, provided that the land offers berries, small game, water, and so forth.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Immigrant Experience
Even after your short time in Baldurâs Gate, youâve learned the city holds more walls and gates than those the Watch and Flaming Fist patrols. You are known within the cityâs immigrant communities. Should you ever need to learn about a foreign land, people, tradition, or &Reference[his]{history}, you know where to find someone with firsthand experienceâlikely somewhere in the Outer City.
\nBaldurâs Gate has a modest academic community centered around the libraries of the High Hall and the various temples dedicated to gods of learning and innovation. Lecturers, researchers, and historians all participate with passing scholars from Candlekeep in a lively exchange of ideas, debating and collaborating in book-filled halls across the Upper and Lower City. The city is also rife with opportunities for arcane study, although its masters are dispersed across individual wizardsâ abodes and lack concentrated communities.
You spent years learning the lore of the multiverse. You scoured manuscripts, studied scrolls, and listened to the greatest experts on the subjects that interest you. Your efforts have made you a master in your fields of study.
To determine the &Reference[nat]{nature} of your scholarly training, roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below.
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alchemist |
| 2 | Astronomer |
| 3 | Discredited academic |
| 4 | Librarian |
| 5 | Professor |
| 6 | Researcher |
| 7 | Wizardâs apprentice |
| 8 | Scribe |
FEATURE: RESEARCHER
When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: RUMOR MONGER
Via your personal rumor mill and articles published in Baldurâs Mouth, you can surmise a great deal about Balduriansâ secrets â whoâs practicing &Reference[nec]{necromancy}, whoâs involved in spying or smuggling, who would purchase or craft dangerous magical wares without batting an eyelash. Whenever a noteworthy crime or mysterious happening occurs in the city, you immediately have a list of 1d4 suspects who, if they arenât involved, have a strong chance of knowing who is.
Sages are defined by their extensive studies, and their characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to scholarly pursuits, a sage values knowledge highlyâsometimes in its own right, sometimes as a means toward other ideals.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I use polysyllabic words that convey the impression of great erudition. |
| 2 | Iâve read every book in the worldâs greatest librariesâor I like to boast that I have. |
| 3 | Iâm used to helping out those who arenât as smart as I am, and I patiently explain anything and everything to others. |
| 4 | Thereâs nothing I like more than a good mystery. |
| 5 | Iâm willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment. |
| 6 | I ⌠speak ⌠slowly ⌠when talking ⌠to idiots, ⌠which ⌠almost ⌠everyone ⌠is ⌠compared ⌠to me. |
| 7 | I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations. |
| 8 | Iâm convinced that people are always trying to steal my secrets. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Beauty. What is beautiful points us beyond itself toward what is true. (Good) |
| 3 | Logic. Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking. (Lawful) |
| 4 | No Limits. Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility inherent in all existence. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Power. Knowledge is the path to power and domination. (Evil) |
| 6 | Self-Improvement. The goal of a life of study is the betterment of oneself. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | It is my duty to protect my students. |
| 2 | I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands. |
| 3 | I work to preserve a library, university, scriptorium, or monastery. |
| 4 | My lifeâs work is a series of tomes related to a specific field of lore. |
| 5 | Iâve been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question. |
| 6 | I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it back. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am easily distracted by the promise of information. |
| 2 | Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I stop and take notes on its anatomy. |
| 3 | Unlocking an ancient mystery is worth the price of a civilization. |
| 4 | I overlook obvious solutions in favor of complicated ones. |
| 5 | I speak without really thinking through my words, invariably insulting others. |
| 6 | I canât keep a secret to save my life, or anyone elseâs. |
When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Rumor Monger
Via your personal rumor mill and articles published in Baldurâs Mouth, you can surmise a great deal about Balduriansâ secrets â whoâs practicing &Reference[nec]{necromancy}, whoâs involved in spying or smuggling, who would purchase or craft dangerous magical wares without batting an eyelash. Whenever a noteworthy crime or mysterious happening occurs in the city, you immediately have a list of 1d4 suspects who, if they arenât involved, have a strong chance of knowing who is.
\nBaldurâs Gate was founded by sailors, and its harbor is still the cityâs beating heart. Several patriars are descended from captains of yore, the commerce of the Lower City is built on the port, and even the Outer Cityâs rhythms are dominated by the ebb and flow of river trade. Because sailors are as fundamental and ubiquitous to Baldurâs Gate as the cobbles on its streets, characters with this background are common.
You sailed on a seagoing vessel for years. In that time, you faced down mighty storms, monsters of the deep, and those who wanted to sink your craft to the bottomless depths. Your first love is the distant line of the horizon, but the time has come to try your hand at something new.
Discuss the &Reference[nat]{nature} of the ship you previously sailed with your Dungeon Master. Was it a merchant ship, a naval vessel, a ship of discovery, or a pirate ship? How famous (or infamous) is it? Is it widely traveled? Is it still sailing, or is it missing and presumed lost with all hands?
What were your duties on boardâboatswain, captain, navigator, cook, or some other position? Who were the captain and first mate? Did you leave your ship on good terms with your fellows, or on the run?
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ath]{Athletics}, &Reference[prc]{Perception}
Tool Proficiencies: Navigatorâs tools, vehicles (water)
Equipment: A belaying pin (club), 50 feet of silk rope, a lucky charm such as a rabbit foot or a small stone with a hole in the center (or you may roll for a random trinket on the Trinkets table in chapter 5 of the Playerâs Handbook), a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
When you need to, you can secure free passage on a sailing ship for yourself and your adventuring companions. You might sail on the ship you served on, or another ship you have good relations with (perhaps one captained by a former crewmate). Because youâre calling in a favor, you canât be certain of a schedule or route that will meet your every need. Your Dungeon Master will determine how long it takes to get where you need to go. In return for your free passage, you and your companions are expected to assist the crew during the voyage.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Smugglerâs Sense
Youâre familiar with the docks of Baldurâs Gate, the movement of inspectors and tax collectors, the way cargo and coin flows. As a result, itâs easy for you to hustle a load of cargo ashore or see such a cargo onto a cooperative ship without attracting suspicion or taxation. You also know the movements of the Gray Waversâthe Flaming Fist harbor guardsâand have a sense of how to operate the cityâs mechanized cranes.
You spent your youth under the sway of a dread pirate, a ruthless cutthroat who taught you how to survive in a world of sharks and savages. Youâve indulged in larceny on the high seas and sent more than one deserving soul to a briny grave. Fear and bloodshed are no strangers to you, and youâve garnered a somewhat unsavory reputation in many a port town.
If your character has a sailor background, you may select this background feature instead of Shipâs Passage.
No matter where you go, people are afraid of you due to your reputation. When you are in a settlement, you can get away with minor criminal offenses, such as refusing to pay for food at a tavern or breaking down doors at a local shop, since most people will not report your activity to the authorities.
When you need to, you can secure free passage on a sailing ship for yourself and your adventuring companions. You might sail on the ship you served on, or another ship you have good relations with (perhaps one captained by a former crewmate). Because youâre calling in a favor, you canât be certain of a schedule or route that will meet your every need. Your Dungeon Master will determine how long it takes to get where you need to go. In return for your free passage, you and your companions are expected to assist the crew during the voyage.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Smugglerâs Sense
Youâre familiar with the docks of Baldurâs Gate, the movement of inspectors and tax collectors, the way cargo and coin flows. As a result, itâs easy for you to hustle a load of cargo ashore or see such a cargo onto a cooperative ship without attracting suspicion or taxation. You also know the movements of the Gray Waversâthe Flaming Fist harbor guardsâand have a sense of how to operate the cityâs mechanized cranes.
\nMercenaries, private guards, Watch soldiers, and members of the Flaming Fist number among just a few of the many soldiers on the streets of Baldurâs Gate.
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 &Reference[sur]{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 nobleâs or merchantâs private army, or a mercenary company.
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:
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Officer |
| 2 | Scout |
| 3 | Infantry |
| 4 | Cavalry |
| 5 | Healer |
| 6 | Quartermaster |
| 7 | Standard bearer |
| 8 | Support staff (cook, blacksmith, or the like) |
FEATURE: 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.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: CITY GUARD
You may choose to currently serve in either the Flaming Fist or the Watch. If you do, you have responsibilities related to your post. For as long as you perform these responsibilities, you gain benefits. If you stop performing your responsibilities, though, you lose access to the benefits and might suffer further fallout. Should you lose these benefits, you may regain them by having an unpleasant conversation with your commanding officer and fulfilling your responsibilities for a month.
Flaming Fist. If you serve in the Flaming Fist, once every ten days, you must report to the Seatower of Balduran for training, and youâre required to take a regular shift patrolling either the Lower City or the Outer City. In return, you have access to the Flaming Fistâs fortresses and a direct line of communication with Flaming Fist officers and other soldiers. You can also pass through the cityâs gates without question â although you canât bring guests into the Upper City as a member of the Watch might. Additionally, youâre always welcome at the Three Old Kegs, where the Three Old Toads are glad to greet you with a smile and a mug of ale.
The Watch. If you serve in the Watch, youâre required to conduct a regular patrol in the Upper City or take a regular shift at its gates, and must report for training in the Watch Citadel once every ten days. In return, you have access to the Citadel and a direct line of communication with Watch officers and officials. Your word carries considerable weight in the High Hall, and most establishments in the Citadel Streets neighborhood are happy to give you and your friends free meals. Additionally, you can escort people into the Upper City without question, regardless of whether they are patriars or have Watch tokens. Outside the Upper City, however, most people regard you with suspicion, and you generally get a chilly reception while in uniform.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: LOYALTY TEST
Youâve had enough dealings with crooked soldiers that you can spot the behaviors common to corrupt guards and military officers a mile away. While awareness of such corruption doesnât equate to evidence of it, and your sense certainly isnât foolproof, your instinct proves a useful starting point when determining who might take a bribe, who might turn a blind eye to a crime, or who might have criminal connections. You can also use this sense to get a feeling about who might fulfill their duties strictly by the book.
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 | Iâm always polite and respectful. |
| 2 | Iâm haunted by memories of war. I canât get the images of violence out of my mind. |
| 3 | Iâve lost too many friends, and Iâm &Reference[slow]{slow} to make new ones. |
| 4 | Iâm 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 arenât 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 | Iâll 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 livesâand 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 | Iâd rather eat my armor than admit when Iâm wrong. |
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.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: City Guard
You may choose to currently serve in either the Flaming Fist or the Watch. If you do, you have responsibilities related to your post. For as long as you perform these responsibilities, you gain benefits. If you stop performing your responsibilities, though, you lose access to the benefits and might suffer further fallout. Should you lose these benefits, you may regain them by having an unpleasant conversation with your commanding officer and fulfilling your responsibilities for a month.
Flaming Fist. If you serve in the Flaming Fist, once every ten days, you must report to the Seatower of Balduran for training, and youâre required to take a regular shift patrolling either the Lower City or the Outer City. In return, you have access to the Flaming Fistâs fortresses and a direct line of communication with Flaming Fist officers and other soldiers. You can also pass through the cityâs gates without question â although you canât bring guests into the Upper City as a member of the Watch might. Additionally, youâre always welcome at the Three Old Kegs, where the Three Old Toads are glad to greet you with a smile and a mug of ale.
The Watch. If you serve in the Watch, youâre required to conduct a regular patrol in the Upper City or take a regular shift at its gates, and must report for training in the Watch Citadel once every ten days. In return, you have access to the Citadel and a direct line of communication with Watch officers and officials. Your word carries considerable weight in the High Hall, and most establishments in the Citadel Streets neighborhood are happy to give you and your friends free meals. Additionally, you can escort people into the Upper City without question, regardless of whether they are patriars or have Watch tokens. Outside the Upper City, however, most people regard you with suspicion, and you generally get a chilly reception while in uniform.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Loyalty Test
Youâve had enough dealings with crooked soldiers that you can spot the behaviors common to corrupt guards and military officers a mile away. While awareness of such corruption doesnât equate to evidence of it, and your sense certainly isnât foolproof, your instinct proves a useful starting point when determining who might take a bribe, who might turn a blind eye to a crime, or who might have criminal connections. You can also use this sense to get a feeling about who might fulfill their duties strictly by the book.
\nBands of orphans and runaways band together in the Outer City, running after passersby in ragged throngs to plead for scraps. In the Lower City, urchins are often recruited into the lowest echelons of the Guild or pressed into dirty and dangerous work by unscrupulous masters.
You grew up on the streets alone, orphaned, and poor. You had no one to watch over you or to provide for you, so you learned to provide for yourself. You fought fiercely over food and kept a constant watch out for other desperate souls who might steal from you. You slept on rooftops and in alleyways, exposed to the elements, and endured sickness without the advantage of &Reference[med]{medicine} or a place to recuperate. Youâve survived despite all odds, and did so through cunning, strength, speed, or some combination of each.
You begin your adventuring career with enough money to live modestly but securely for at least ten days. How did you come by that money? What allowed you to break free of your desperate circumstances and embark on a better life?
Skill Proficiencies: Sleight of Hand, &Reference[ste]{Stealth}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, thievesâ tools
Equipment: A small knife, a map of the city you grew up in, a pet mouse, a token to remember your parents by, a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
FEATURE: CITY SECRETS
You know the secret patterns and flow to cities and can find passages through the urban sprawl that others would miss. When you are not in combat, you (and companions you lead) can travel between any two locations in the city twice as fast as your speed would normally allow.
BALDURâS GATE FEATURE: GATEGUIDE CONNECTION
Even though you might not be a member of the Gateguides crew, youâve associated with enough of them that you know their torch-based code. From the lighting, placement, and type of torch arranged on or near a structure, you can gather a great deal of information about those who live or do business there, particularly if they deal fairly with strangers, have Guild or government connections, or have either helped or denied the Gateguides in the past.
Urchins are shaped by lives of desperate poverty, for good and for ill. They tend to be driven either by a commitment to the people with whom they shared life on the street or by a burning desire to find a better life â and maybe get some payback on all the rich people who treated them badly.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I hide scraps of food and trinkets away in my pockets. |
| 2 | I ask a lot of questions. |
| 3 | I like to squeeze into small places where no one else can get to me. |
| 4 | I sleep with my back to a wall or tree, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms. |
| 5 | I eat like a pig and have bad manners. |
| 6 | I think anyone whoâs nice to me is hiding evil intent. |
| 7 | I donât like to bathe. |
| 8 | I bluntly say what other people are hinting at or hiding. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. All people, rich or poor, deserve respect. (Good) |
| 2 | Community. We have to take care of each other, because no one else is going to do it. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Change. The low are lifted up, and the high and mighty are brought down. Change is the &Reference[nat]{nature} of things. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Retribution. The rich need to be shown what life and death are like in the gutters. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. I help the people who help me â thatâs what keeps us alive. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Aspiration. Iâm going to prove that Iâm worthy of a better life. |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My town or city is my home, and Iâll fight to defend it. |
| 2 | I sponsor an orphanage to keep others from enduring what I was forced to endure. |
| 3 | I owe my &Reference[sur]{survival} to another urchin who taught me to live on the streets. |
| 4 | I owe a debt I can never repay to the person who took pity on me. |
| 5 | I escaped my life of poverty by robbing an important person, and Iâm wanted for it. |
| 6 | No one else should have to endure the hardships Iâve been through. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | If Iâm outnumbered, I will run away from a fight. |
| 2 | Gold seems like a lot of money to me, and Iâll do just about anything for more of it. |
| 3 | I will never fully trust anyone other than myself. |
| 4 | Iâd rather kill someone in their sleep than fight fair. |
| 5 | Itâs not stealing if I need it more than someone else. |
| 6 | People who canât take care of themselves get what they deserve. |
You know the secret patterns and flow to cities and can find passages through the urban sprawl that others would miss. When you are not in combat, you (and companions you lead) can travel between any two locations in the city twice as fast as your speed would normally allow.
Baldurâs Gate Feature: Gateguide Connection
Even though you might not be a member of the Gateguides crew, youâve associated with enough of them that you know their torch-based code. From the lighting, placement, and type of torch arranged on or near a structure, you can gather a great deal of information about those who live or do business there, particularly if they deal fairly with strangers, have Guild or government connections, or have either helped or denied the Gateguides in the past.
\nYou relentlessly seek the truth. Perhaps youâre motivated by belief in the law and a sense of universal justice, or maybe that very law has failed you and you seek to make things right. You could have witnessed something remarkable or terrible, and now you must know more about this hidden truth. Or maybe youâre a detective for hire, uncovering secrets for well-paying clients. Whether the mysteries youâre embroiled in are local crimes or realm-spanning conspiracies, youâre driven by a personal need to hunt down even the most elusive clues and reveal what others would keep hidden in the shadows.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among &Reference[ins]{Insight}, &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, or &Reference[prc]{Perception}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, thievesâ tools
Equipment: A magnifying glass, evidence from a past case (choose one or roll for a trinket from the Horror Trinkets table after this background), a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, and 10 gp
Your first case influenced the types of mysteries youâre interested in. Why was this case so impactful, personal, or traumatic? Whom did it affect besides you? Why and how did you get involved? Was it solved? How did it &Reference[set]{set} you on the path to investigating other mysteries? Roll on or choose details from the First Case table to develop the mystery that started your career as an investigator.
| d8 | Case |
|---|---|
| 1 | A friend was wrongfully accused of murder. You tracked down the actual killer, proving your friendâs innocence and starting your career as a detective. |
| 2 | Youâre told you went missing for weeks. When you were found, you had no memory of being gone. Now you search to discover what happened to you. |
| 3 | You helped a spirit find peace by finding its missing corpse. Ever since, other spectral clients have sought you out to help them find rest. |
| 4 | You revealed that the monsters terrorizing your home were illusions created by a cruel mage. The magic-user escaped, but youâve continued to uncover magical hoaxes. |
| 5 | You were wrongfully accused and convicted of a crime. You managed to escape and seek to help others avoid the experience you suffered, even while still being pursued by the law. |
| 6 | You survived the destructive use of a magic device that wiped out your home. Members of a secret organization found you. You now work with them, tracking down dangerous supernatural phenomena and preventing them from doing harm. |
| 7 | You found evidence of a conspiracy underpinning society. You tried to expose this mysterious cabal, but no one believed you. Youâre still trying to prove what you know is true. |
| 8 | You got a job with an agency that investigates crimes that local law enforcement canât solve. You often wonder which you value more, the truth or your pay. |
Youâre experienced at gaining access to people and places to get the information you need. Through a combination of fast-talking, determination, and official-looking documentation, you can gain access to a place or an individual related to a crime youâre investigating. Those who arenât involved in your &Reference[inv]{investigation} avoid impeding you or pass along your requests. Additionally, local law enforcement has firm opinions about you, viewing you as either a nuisance or one of their own.
\nYou relentlessly seek the truth. Perhaps youâre motivated by belief in the law and a sense of universal justice, or maybe that very law has failed you and you seek to make things right. You could have witnessed something remarkable or terrible, and now you must know more about this hidden truth. Or maybe youâre a detective for hire, uncovering secrets for well-paying clients. Whether the mysteries youâre embroiled in are local crimes or realm-spanning conspiracies, youâre driven by a personal need to hunt down even the most elusive clues and reveal what others would keep hidden in the shadows.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among &Reference[ins]{Insight}, &Reference[inv]{Investigation}, or &Reference[prc]{Perception}
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, thievesâ tools
Equipment: A magnifying glass, evidence from a past case (choose one or roll for a trinket from the Horror Trinkets table after thin˝ß s background), a &Reference[set]{set} of common clothes, and 10 gp
Your first case influenced the types of mysteries youâre interested in. Why was this case so impactful, personal, or traumatic? Whom did it affect besides you? Why and how did you get involved? Was it solved? How did it &Reference[set]{set} you on the path to investigating other mysteries? Roll on or choose details from the First Case table to develop the mystery that started your career as an investigator.
| d8 | Case |
|---|---|
| 1 | A friend was wrongfully accused of murder. You tracked down the actual killer, proving your friendâs innocence and starting your career as a detective. |
| 2 | Youâre told you went missing for weeks. When you were found, you had no memory of being gone. Now you search to discover what happened to you. |
| 3 | You helped a spirit find peace by finding its missing corpse. Ever since, other spectral clients have sought you out to help them find rest. |
| 4 | You revealed that the monsters terrorizing your home were illusions created by a cruel mage. The magic-user escaped, but youâve continued to uncover magical hoaxes. |
| 5 | You were wrongfully accused and convicted of a crime. You managed to escape and seek to help others avoid the experience you suffered, even while still being pursued by the law. |
| 6 | You survived the destructive use of a magic device that wiped out your home. Members of a secret organization found you. You now work with them, tracking down dangerous supernatural phenomena and preventing them from doing harm. |
| 7 | You found evidence of a conspiracy underpinning society. You tried to expose this mysterious cabal, but no one believed you. Youâre still trying to prove what you know is true. |
| 8 | You got a job with an agency that investigates crimes that local law enforcement canât solve. You often wonder which you value more, the truth or your pay. |
Youâre experienced at gaining access to people and places to get the information you need. Through a combination of fast-talking, determination, and official-looking documentation, you can gain access to a place or an individual related to a crime youâre investigating. Those who arenât involved in your &Reference[inv]{investigation} avoid impeding you or pass along your requests. Additionally, local law enforcement has firm opinions about you, viewing you as either a nuisance or one of their own.
\nFor longer than you can remember, you have traversed the Astral Sea. There, you experienced firsthand the wonders of the Silver Void: you stopped aging and no longer felt hunger or thirst. Driven by wanderlust, you drifted from one part of the Astral Sea to another, like a mote of dust on the wind. You have lost count of the decades that have passed since you arrived here.
In your travels, you have camped on the petrified hulks of dead gods and narrowly escaped the psychic winds that sweep across the Astral Sea while also avoiding prolonged contact with the planeâs most dangerous denizens.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ins]{Insight}, &Reference[rel]{Religion}
Languages: Two of your choice (Celestial or Gith recommended)
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of travelerâs clothes, a diary, an ink pen, a bottle of ink, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Longevity
You are 20d6 years older than you look, because you have spent that much time in the Astral Sea without aging.
Feature: Divine Contact
You gain the Magic Initiate feat from the Playerâs Handbook and must choose cleric for the feat.
In the Astral Sea, you crossed paths with a wandering deity. The encounter was brief and nonviolent, yet it made a lasting impression on you. This deity saw fit to share one secret or obscure bit of cosmic lore with you. Work with your DM to determine the details of this knowledge and its impact on the campaign.
Roll on the Divine Contact table to determine which deity you encountered, or work with your DM to identify a more suitable choice.
| d10 | Wandering Deity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Corellon, god of art and magic |
| 2 | Tymora, god of good fortune |
| 3 | Fharlanghn, god of horizons and travel |
| 4 | Istus, god of fate and destiny |
| 5 | Nuada, god of war and warriors |
| 6 | Zivilyn, god of wisdom |
| 7 | Arawn, god of life and death |
| 8 | Hecate, god of magic and moons |
| 9 | Celestian, god of stars and wanderers |
| 10 | Ptah, god of knowledge and secrets |
You gain the Magic Initiate feat from the Playerâs Handbook and must choose cleric for the feat.
In the Astral Sea, you crossed paths with a wandering deity. The encounter was brief and nonviolent, yet it made a lasting impression on you. This deity saw fit to share one secret or obscure bit of cosmic lore with you. Work with your DM to determine the details of this knowledge and its impact on the campaign.
Roll on the Divine Contact table to determine which deity you encountered, or work with your DM to identify a more suitable choice.
| d10 | Wandering Deity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Corellon, god of art and magic |
| 2 | Tymora, god of good fortune |
| 3 | Fharlanghn, god of horizons and travel |
| 4 | Istus, god of fate and destiny |
| 5 | Nuada, god of war and warriors |
| 6 | Zivilyn, god of wisdom |
| 7 | Arawn, god of life and death |
| 8 | Hecate, god of magic and moons |
| 9 | Celestian, god of stars and wanderers |
| 10 | Ptah, god of knowledge and secrets |
You were raised in the void of Wildspaceâhome to asteroid miners, moon farmers, and other hardy folk. Perhaps you grew up in a far-flung settlement such as the Rock of Bral, or you spent your early years on the crew of a spelljamming ship, performing helpful chores such as swabbing the deck, loading and offloading cargo, and scraping barnacles off the hull.
Whatever your &Reference[his]{history}, life in Wildspace has toughened you so well that you are as brave as a miniature giant space hamster when it comes to facing the terrors and other challenges of the airless night.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ath]{Athletics}, &Reference[sur]{Survival}
Tool Proficiencies: Navigatorâs tools, vehicles (space)
Equipment: A belaying pin (club), a &Reference[set]{set} of travelerâs clothes, a grappling hook, 50 feet of hempen rope, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Close Encounter
You had a harrowing encounter with one of Wildspaceâs many terrors. You escaped with your life, but the encounter left you with a scar or two, or perhaps a recurring nightmare. Roll on the Close Encounter table to determine which creature nearly got the best of you. Creatures marked with an asterisk appear in Booâs Astral Menagerie; the others are described in the Monster Manual.
| d10 | Creature |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beholder |
| 2 | Cosmic horror* |
| 3 | Feyr* |
| 4 | Lunar dragon* |
| 5 | Mind flayer |
| 6 | Neh-thalggu* |
| 7 | Neogi* |
| 8 | Space clown* |
| 9 | Vampirate* |
| 10 | Void scavver* |
Feature: Wildspace Adaptation
You gain the Tough feat from the Playerâs Handbook. In addition, you learned how to adapt to zero gravity. Being weightless doesnât give you disadvantage on any of your melee attack rolls (see âWeightlessnessâ below).
WEIGHTLESSNESS
In any location where gravity isnât present, the following rules apply:
Impeded Melee. When making a melee attack with a weapon, a creature that doesnât have a flying or swimming speed (either naturally or provided by magic) has disadvantage on the attack roll unless the weapon deals piercing damage.
Movement. A creature can use an action to &Reference[push]{push} off something heavier than itself and move up to its walking, flying, or swimming speed in a straight line. The creature continues along this course, moving in a straight line at its speed on each of its turns until something stops it or changes its trajectory.
You gain the Tough feat from the Playerâs Handbook. In addition, you learned how to adapt to zero gravity. Being weightless doesnât give you disadvantage on any of your melee attack rolls (see âWeightlessnessâ below).
\nFor longer than you can remember, you have traversed the Astral Sea. There, you experienced firsthand the wonders of the Silver Void: you stopped aging and no longer felt hunger or thirst. Driven by wanderlust, you drifted from one part of the Astral Sea to another, like a mote of dust on the wind. You have lost count of the decades that have passed since you arrived here.
In your travels, you have camped on the petrified hulks of dead gods and narrowly escaped the psychic winds that sweep across the Astral Sea while also avoiding prolonged contact with the planeâs most dangerous denizens.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ins]{Insight}, &Reference[rel]{Religion}
Languages: Two of your choice (Celestial or Gith recommended)
Equipment: A &Reference[set]{set} of travelerâs clothes, a diary, an ink pen, a bottle of ink, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Longevity
You are 20d6 years older than you look, because you have spent that much time in the Astral Sea without aging.
Feature: Divine Contact
You gain the Magic Initiate feat from the Playerâs Handbook and must choose cleric for the feat.
In the Astral Sea, you crossed paths with a wandering deity. The encounter was brief and nonviolent, yet it made a lasting impression on you. This deity saw fit to share one secret or obscure bit of cosmic lore with you. Work with your DM to determine the details of this knowledge and its impact on the campaign.
Roll on the Divine Contact table to determine which deity you encountered, or work with your DM to identify a more suitable choice.
| d10 | Wandering Deity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Corellon, god of art and magic |
| 2 | Tymora, god of good fortune |
| 3 | Fharlanghn, god of horizons and travel |
| 4 | Istus, god of fate and destiny |
| 5 | Nuada, god of war and warriors |
| 6 | Zivilyn, god of wisdom |
| 7 | Arawn, god of life and death |
| 8 | Hecate, god of magic and moons |
| 9 | Celestian, god of stars and wanderers |
| 10 | Ptah, god of knowledge and secrets |
You gain the Magic Initiate feat from the Playerâs Handbook and must choose cleric for the feat.
In the Astral Sea, you crossed paths with a wandering deity. The encounter was brief and nonviolent, yet it made a lasting impression on you. This deity saw fit to share one secret or obscure bit of cosmic lore with you. Work with your DM to determine the details of this knowledge and its impact on the campaign.
Roll on the Divine Contact table to determine which deity you encountered, or work with your DM to identify a more suitable choice.
| d10 | Wandering Deity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Corellon, god of art and magic |
| 2 | Tymora, god of good fortune |
| 3 | Fharlanghn, god of horizons and travel |
| 4 | Istus, god of fate and destiny |
| 5 | Nuada, god of war and warriors |
| 6 | Zivilyn, god of wisdom |
| 7 | Arawn, god of life and death |
| 8 | Hecate, god of magic and moons |
| 9 | Celestian, god of stars and wanderers |
| 10 | Ptah, god of knowledge and secrets |
You were raised in the void of Wildspaceâhome to asteroid miners, moon farmers, and other hardy folk. Perhaps you grew up in a far-flung settlement such as the Rock of Bral, or you spent your early years on the crew of a spelljamming ship, performing helpful chores such as swabbing the deck, loading and offloading cargo, and scraping barnacles off the hull.
Whatever your &Reference[his]{history}, life in Wildspace has toughened you so well that you are as brave as a miniature giant space hamster when it comes to facing the terrors and other challenges of the airless night.
Skill Proficiencies: &Reference[ath]{Athletics}, &Reference[sur]{Survival}
Tool Proficiencies: Navigatorâs tools, vehicles (space)
Equipment: A belaying pin (club), a &Reference[set]{set} of travelerâs clothes, a grappling hook, 50 feet of hempen rope, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Close Encounter
You had a harrowing encounter with one of Wildspaceâs many terrors. You escaped with your life, but the encounter left you with a scar or two, or perhaps a recurring nightmare. Roll on the Close Encounter table to determine which creature nearly got the best of you. Creatures marked with an asterisk appear in Booâs Astral Menagerie; the others are described in the Monster Manual.
| d10 | Creature |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beholder |
| 2 | Cosmic horror* |
| 3 | Feyr* |
| 4 | Lunar dragon* |
| 5 | Mind flayer |
| 6 | Neh-thalggu* |
| 7 | Neogi* |
| 8 | Space clown* |
| 9 | Vampirate* |
| 10 | Void scavver* |
Feature: Wildspace Adaptation
You gain the Tough feat from the Playerâs Handbook. In addition, you learned how to adapt to zero gravity. Being weightless doesnât give you disadvantage on any of your melee attack rolls (see âWeightlessnessâ below).
WEIGHTLESSNESS
In any location where gravity isnât present, the following rules apply:
Impeded Melee. When making a melee attack with a weapon, a creature that doesnât have a flying or swimming speed (either naturally or provided by magic) has disadvantage on the attack roll unless the weapon deals piercing damage.
Movement. A creature can use an action to &Reference[push]{push} off something heavier than itself and move up to its walking, flying, or swimming speed in a straight line. The creature continues along this course, moving in a straight line at its speed on each of its turns until something stops it or changes its trajectory.
You gain the Tough feat from the Playerâs Handbook. In addition, you learned how to adapt to zero gravity. Being weightless doesnât give you disadvantage on any of your melee attack rolls (see âWeightlessnessâ below).
\n