Navy SEAL (5e Background)
[edit]
War and sailing have been your life for as long as you can remember and 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. You learned basic survival techniques, including how to stay alive on the battlefield. Your first love is the distant line of the horizon, but the time has come to try your hand at something new. When you choose this background, work with your DM to determine which country you sailed and fought for and on which naval vessel. Is the nation still standing? Is your ship and crew still out there? Who were the captain and first mate? Were you discharged or are you AWOL? If you were discharged, was it honorably or dishonorably?
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Athletics, Perception, Stealth and Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Choose two from Tinker’s Tools, Vehicle (Water), Vehicle (Air) and Vehicle (Land).
Languages: Any two of your choice.
Equipment: Navy SEALs begin play with an insignia indicating rank, a set of Tinker’s Tools to keep their weapons in working order, a survival knife and a belt pouch with 20 gold.
Military Rank[edit]
You have a naval military rank. Whether you are a Non-Commissioned (NCO) or Commissioned Officer (CO) can be determined here.
| d6 | Non-Commissioned (01-50%) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Petty Officer Third Class |
| 2 | Petty Officer Second Class |
| 3 | Petty Officer First Class |
| 4 | Chief Petty Officer |
| 5 | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
| 6 | Master Chief Petty Officer |
| d6 | Commissioned (51-100%) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ensign |
| 2 | Lieutenant Junior Grade |
| 3 | Lieutenant |
| 4 | Lieutenant Commander |
| 5 | Commander |
| 6 | Captain |
Feature: Rank and Passage[edit]
You have a military rank from your career as a Navy SEAL. You can invoke your rank to exert influence over other seamen and requisition simple equipment or vehicles for temporary use. You can also usually gain access to friendly bases and ports where your rank is recognized. Additionally, when you need to, you can secure free passage on a ship for yourself and your adventuring companions. Because you’re calling in a favor, you can’t be certain of a schedule or route that will meet your every need.
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
SEALs can be a rough lot, but the responsibilities of life on a ship make them generally reliable as well. The horrors of war combined with the rigid discipline of military service also leave their mark on all SEALs. Both of these aspects shape their outlook, form their most important attachments and often leave them scarred.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m always polite and respectful. |
| 2 | I work hard so that I can play hard when the work is done. |
| 3 | I enjoy sailing into new ports and making new friends over a flagon of ale. |
| 4 | I’m full of inspiring and cautionary tales from my military experience relevant to almost every combat situation. |
| 5 | To me, a tavern brawl is a nice way to get to know a new city. |
| 6 | I can stare down a hell hound without flinching. |
| 7 | I have a crude sense of humor. |
| 8 | My language is as foul as an otyugh nest. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. The thing that keeps a ship together is mutual respect between captain and crew. (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 | People. I’m committed to my crew mates, not to ideals. (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 | I’m loyal to my captain first, everything else second. |
| 3 | My honor is my life. |
| 4 | Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for. |
| 5 | I was cheated out of my fair share of the profits and I want to get my due. |
| 6 | I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I follow orders, even if I think they’re wrong. |
| 2 | I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior. |
| 3 | Once someone questions my courage, I never back down no matter how dangerous the situation. |
| 4 | My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning. |
| 5 | My pride will probably lead to my destruction. |
| 6 | I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong. |
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