Soldier

BackgroundPHBp. 1402014SRD
Skill proficiencies
athletics, intimidation
Tool proficiencies
vehicles (land)

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.

Specialty

During your time as a soldier, you had a specific role to play in your unit or army. Roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below to determine your role:

d8Role
1Officer
2Scout
3Infantry
4Cavalry
5Healer
6Quartermaster
7Standard-bearer
8Support staff (cook, blacksmith, or the like)

Suggested Characteristics

The horrors of war combined with the rigid discipline of military service leave their mark on all soldiers, shaping their ideals, creating strong bonds, and often leaving them scarred and vulnerable to fear, shame, and hatred.

d8Personality Trait
1I'm always polite and respectful.
2I'm haunted by memories of war. I can't get the images of violence out of my mind.
3I've lost too many friends, and I'm slow to make new ones.
4I'm full of inspiring and cautionary tales from my military experience relevant to almost every combat situation.
5I can stare down a hell hound without flinching.
6I enjoy being strong and like breaking things.
7I have a crude sense of humor.
8I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success.
d6Ideal
1Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others. (Good)
2Responsibility. I do what I must and obey just authority. (Lawful)
3Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic)
4Might. In life as in war, the stronger force wins. (Evil)
5Live and Let Live. Ideals aren't worth killing over or going to war for. (Neutral)
6Nation. My city, nation, or people are all that matter. (Any)
d6Bond
1I would still lay down my life for the people I served with.
2Someone saved my life on the battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind.
3My honor is my life.
4I'll never forget the crushing defeat my company suffered or the enemies who dealt it.
5Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for.
6I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.
d6Flaw
1The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still leaves me quivering with fear.
2I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior.
3I made a terrible mistake in battle that cost many lives—and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret.
4My hatred of my enemies is blinding and unreasoning.
5I obey the law, even if the law causes misery.
6I'd rather eat my armor than admit when I'm wrong.
Raw data
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              "4",
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              "5",
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              "6",
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              "7",
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              "I can stare down a hell hound without flinching."
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            ],
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              "3",
              "Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic)"
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              "4",
              "Might. In life as in war, the stronger force wins. (Evil)"
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            [
              "5",
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            ],
            [
              "3",
              "My honor is my life."
            ],
            [
              "4",
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            ],
            [
              "3",
              "I made a terrible mistake in battle that cost many lives—and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret."
            ],
            [
              "4",
              "My hatred of my enemies is blinding and unreasoning."
            ],
            [
              "5",
              "I obey the law, even if the law causes misery."
            ],
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  "reprintedAs": [
    "Soldier|XPHB"
  ],
  "startingEquipment": [
    {
      "_": [
        {
          "special": "insignia of rank"
        },
        {
          "special": "trophy taken from a fallen enemy (a dagger, broken blade, or piece of a banner)"
        },
        "common clothes|phb",
        {
          "item": "pouch|phb",
          "containsValue": 1000
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "a": [
        {
          "item": "dice set|phb",
          "displayName": "bone dice set"
        }
      ],
      "b": [
        "playing card set|phb"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "toolProficiencies": [
    {
      "anyGamingSet": 1,
      "vehicles (land)": true
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  ],
  "skillProficiencies": [
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      "athletics": true,
      "intimidation": true
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}