Mercenary Veteran

Source: Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide (SCAR Version)

As a sell-sword who fought battles for coin, you're well acquainted with risking life and limb for a chance at a share of treasure. Now, you look forward to fighting foes and reaping even greater rewards as an adventurer. Your experience makes you familiar with the ins and outs of mercenary life, and you likely have harrowing stories of events on the battlefield. You might have served with a large outfit such as the Zhentarim or the soldiers of Mintarn, or a smaller band of sell-swords, maybe even more than one. See the "Mercenaries of the North" section below for a collection of possibilities.


Now you're looking for something else, perhaps greater reward for the risks you take, or the freedom to choose your own activities. For whatever reason, you're leaving behind the life of a soldier for hire, but your skills are undeniably suited for battle, so now you fight on in a different way.


NOTE: Some backgrounds have options to choose from. Please read carefully. You may not get every proficiency listed below, as some may be a choice between one or the other.

  • Stat Options (choose either +2 in one stat and +1 in another, OR +1 in all three): Charisma, Constitution, Strength
  • Skill Proficiencies (your choice of TWO): Athletics, Intimidation, or Deception
  • Tool Proficiencies: (Vehicles (Land) or one Gaming Set of choice can be taken in place of one Standard language.)
  • Languages: One Standard and one Exotic language of choice, OR three Standard languages.
  • Weapons: Your choice of one between Javelin, Mace, or Shortbow.

  • Background Keepsake: A uniform of your company
  • Background Gold: 10gp.

Origin Feat

Origin Sturdy

Your maximum hit points is increased by half your level. (I.e. You gain a +1 to your max hp every even level.)


Suggested Characteristics

Your bond could be associated with the company you traveled with previously, or with some of the comrades you served with. The ideal you embrace largely depends on your worldview and your motivation for fighting.


Other

Mercenaries of the North

Countless mercenary companies operate up and down the Sword Coast and throughout the North. Most are small-scale operations that employ a dozen to a hundred folk who offer security services, hunt monsters and brigands, or go to war in exchange for gold. Some organizations, such as the Zhentarim, Flaming Fist, and the nation of Mintarn have hundreds or thousands of members and can provide private armies to those with enough funds. A few organizations operating in the North are described below.


The Chill

The cold and mysterious Lurkwood serves as the home of numerous groups of goblinoids that have banded together into one tribe called the Chill. Unlike most of their kind, the Chill refrain s from raiding the people of the North and maintains relatively good relations so that they can hire them selves out as warriors. Few city-states in the North are willing to field an army alongside the Chill, but several are happy to quietly pay the Chill to battle the Uthgardt, ores, trolls of the Evermoors, and other threats to civilization.


Silent Rain

Consisting solely of elves, Silent Rain is a legendary mercenary company operating out of Evereska. Caring little for gold or fame, Silent Rain agrees only to jobs that either promote elven causes or involve destroying ores, gnolls, and the like. Prospective employers must leave written word (in Elvish) near Evereska, and the Silent Rain sends a representative if interested.


The Bloodaxes

Founded in Sundabar nearly two centuries ago, the Bloodaxes were originally a group of dwarves outcast from their clans for crimes against the teachings of Moradin Soulforger. They began hiring out as mercenaries to whoever in the North would pay them. Since then the mercenary company has broadened its membership to other races , but every member is an exile, criminal, or misfit of some sort looking for a fresh start and a new family among the bold Bloodaxes.


Mercenary Life

You know the mercenary life as only someone who has experienced it can. You are able to identify mercenary companies by their emblems, and you know a little about any such company, including the names and reputations of its commanders and leaders, and who has hired them recently. You can find the taverns and festhalls where mercenaries abide in any area, as long as you speak the language. You can find mercenary work between adventures sufficient to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

Personality

Please select TWO from the list below.

d8 Personality Trait
1 I like to show off- particularly if there's a chance to get a job offer in it.
2 I am always gregarious and cheerful no matter the situation as long as I am paid well.
3 To me- the whisper of steel and the clash of weapons is just as pleasing as any amount of gold.
4 I always train because training leaves the person ready even in a moment of respite or weakness.
5 I hold myself to a strict code of ideals.
6 I keep my personal possessions in secret places which are known only to me.
7 I would do anything to protect my weapons of arm- for I know they will protect me in return.
8 I do nothing- move no finger or a blade- unless I hear the jingling sound of coins.

Ideal

Please select one from the list below.

d6 Ideal Trait
1 Golden Soul. I fight for money and nothing else.
2 Great Publicity. I will be known for my deeds sooner rather than later.
3 Power or Death. In my line of profession the strong live and the weak starve.
4 Non-Sold Honor. I never break my promises. Never.
5 War and Crime. Whenever chaos flourishes, so too does my work.
6 Good for Sale. I am a sellsword who swings his weapon only in the name of good.

Bond

Please select one from the list below.

d6 Bond Trait
1 I became a mercenary to support my family who would have probably starved in a slum somewhere if not for me.
2 I fight for a lover that knows little if not nothing of me.
3 I was inspired by a great hero to become a mercenary.
4 I treat my valued comrades like siblings and I will let no insult or injury fall upon them.
5 I seek to protect something of great importance to me by keeping it a secret- so you better forget what you just heard.
6 I never disrespect an employer- if they never disrespect me or stop giving me money.

Flaw

Please select one from the list below.

d6 Flaw Trait
1 I'll do anything for coin- damn the consequences.
2 As much as I pretend to love fighting- I secretly hate hurting others.
3 I have crippling debts that my work barely pays off.
4 I never fail at my tasks even if I have to resort to less honorable means to complete them.
5 I would send an innocent to face his death if it means I will win the fight.
6 Someone powerful would do anything to have my head so I seek to gain their head first.