Duelist (5e Background)
Duelist[edit]
You may be the idle younger child of a noble house with nothing better to do than always carry a gauntlet in your belt for the express purposes of being thrown down. Little fortune and less responsibility rest upon your shoulders, but you have an education and know how best to take offense. You may be a professional fencer, who earns their wages by putting on a show as you puts down your challenger. You may be a ruffian inciting the wealthy to single combat, then robbing their corpses. You may be a simple person, who challenges wrongdoers to combat in an effort to bring justice where the courts cannot... or will not. Regardless, you have spent much time in taverns or inns, your profession is as much social as physical.
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, and Persuasion or Performance.
Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set
Languages: Choose Any One.
Equipment: A set of fine clothes, an ornate dagger, a gaming set and a belt pouch containing 20 GP.
Background[edit]
Where do you come from and why do you duel?
| d6 | Specialization |
|---|---|
| 1 | Younger child of a noble house |
| 2 | Professional fencer |
| 3 | Ruffian |
| 4 | Justice seeker |
| 5 | Lover |
| 6 | Avenger |
Feature: A Matter of Honor[edit]
After years of studying the art of combat, sword fighting, and the code of honor, you've learned how to honorably challenge NPCs to a duel. NPCs that do not usually engage in combat will not agree unless agitated enough (DM's discretion), whereas nearly any (at DM's discretion) combat-trained NPC will agree to a duel. It is up to the challenger to decide the rules. A standard duel is either first to surrender or fall unconscious. It must be specified before the duel if it is to the death or risk intervention by the guards.
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | My honour above my life. |
| 2 | I have a wit sharper even than my blade, and I keep my blade quite sharp. |
| 3 | Duelling is the only thing that makes me feel alive anymore. |
| 4 | I would never dream of duelling a lady. |
| 5 | Disagreements ought to be solved with swords not with words. |
| 6 | I can flirt with anyone, and I do. |
| 7 | Duels have rules, and I would die before I break those rules. |
| 8 | I always believe I can win every fight. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Justice I bring the justice the courts can't. (Good or Lawful) |
| 2 | Fun What, can't I enjoy a good fight? (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Reputation Every duel I win shows the world my skill. (Neutral) |
| 4 | Pain I like to watch my enemies suffer as they realize they cannot beat me. (Evil) |
| 5 | Vengeance I fight to kill those who wronged me. (Any) |
| 6 | Skill Each duel I fight makes me better, whether I win or lose. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I fight to avenge the death of a family member. |
| 2 | If I win enough duels, my family will finally respect me. |
| 3 | My weapon is like a person to me. |
| 4 | My victories will show my love my true worth. |
| 5 | I do not kill in fights of honour. |
| 6 | To leave a duel unbloodied makes it no true duel. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a temper quicker than my sword. |
| 2 | I have a crippling addiction to gambling. |
| 3 | I intentionally offend everyone in the hopes of sparking a fight. |
| 4 | Duels are the only way I know of to overcome my cowardice. |
| 5 | I cannot fight sober. |
| 6 | I take offence with exceptional ease. |
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