Politician (5e Background)

Politician

In a world of power and people who want it, it is inevitable for politics to arise. They form various arenas where people compete and collaborate. No clean hands exist, and common folk are quick to dismiss all of it as "politics as usual." For those who learn politics, they gain insight into how the world is controlled by the people that live in it. The ones brave enough to put on a public face to seize these powers are politicians.

Politicians sound like a fairly modern appearance, but that is false. Aristocrats of the medieval, and even philosophers of times of antiquity can be well considered politicians as well. They are not always someone looking for your vote. They can be intermediaries between countries, like diplomats, or even domestic affairs. To a degree, they are visible and yet also not. Politicians are usually associated with government, but they can also be backstage actors in quasi-public organizations.

You are a person looking to change the society around you by playing in the arena of politics. You have a very sociable personality and words come easy to you. Inside, your mind is filled with strategies and dialectics. Maybe you have the silvertongue or bottomless guile and can lead a mob to do your every bidding. Perhaps you are an ex-vizier of the king, looking to foment an insurrection against the monarchy. Or, maybe you are a vicar within the church tasked with increasing religious influence in the area. What got you into this cutthroat practice of weaving words and promises? Are you a politician for the good of the people, or one out to satisfy your own desires?

Skill Proficiencies: Deception and Persuasion

Tool Proficiencies: Forgery kit and Calligrapher's supplies

Languages: One of your choice

Equipment: Fine clothes, a "fancy" ring worth 5 gp, a political manifesto you helped write, and a pouch containing 20 gp

Ideology

What is the world you envision to create through policy?

d6	Specialization
1	Democracy
2	Dictatorship
3	Egalitarianism
4	Anarchy
5	Monarchy
6	Theocracy

Feature: Risen to Prominence

People find you have a noticeable presence. They may stop you frequently and ask you where they have seen you. You are seen as a very approachable person in general and random passerby will be drawn to speak with you if they see you. If someone is in need of something or in distress, they will likely open up to you about their problems very easily.

Alternate Feature: Political Presence

You are commonly taken for face value as a person of great standing. People will likely treat you like a noble or assume you of that lineage. You can attain audiences with nobles or officials easily, as they may often see you as one of their circle.

Suggested Characteristics

Politicians are rumored to be wicked and blackhearted, without morals. Do you want to prove the rumors right or wrong?

d8	Personality Trait
1	Listen to me! Look at me!
2	I am the only one capable of making a better world.
3	I want to take over the country! The current administration is a heap of dung!
4	The people deserve better. I will be their guiding hope.
5	I'm looking out only for myself here in this dog-eat-dog world.
6	I'm very patient and can conceal my inner discomforts easily.
7	I'm esoteric, meaning I'm better than these uncultured swine surrounding me.
8	I'm looking to shake things up a bit in the world, that's all.

d6	Ideal
1	Dictator. I will become the sole, undisputed leader of this country.
2	Equality. This world needs to care more about the least advantaged. (Good)
3	Humanity. I will fight for what is morally acceptable. (Good)
4	Rational Self Interest. I only need to survive this industry. (Neutral)
5	Legacy. I will make my ancestors proud!
6	Divine Rule. I am one sent from God to make my throne in this earthly environment.

d6	Bond
1	I have family to whom I promised I would change the world.
2	Friends? I only see others as means to reach my ends. (evil)
3	I remember the old days with other old timers, when things were different and better.
4	We all need to work together to unify and achieve the goal best for everyone. (good)
5	The world is but a bunch of connections. I need as many as possible to achieve my goals. (chaotic)
6	I'll help, in exchange for favors after.

d6	Flaw
1	I'm a pathological liar. And I break promises a lot.
2	I am VERY indecisive.
3	My methods are very inhumane despite my best intentions.
4	I don't like pain. I'd rather run than ever fight. Actually, I just let others fight my battles.
5	I ... actually have stage fright.
6	I was embroiled in a scandal that can well ruin my public image FOREVER.

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