Royal Cavalryman (5e Background)

Royal Cavalryman

The wind rushes past you as your trusty steed gallops through plains and small towns. You are no mere messenger nor a basic soldier. You are one of few, one of the elite. You are a royal calvaryman, a protector of the king and guardian of law and order. Do you loyally serve the monarchy, or do you secretly plot their demise? What caused you to join this elite group? Do you wish to protect peasants and common folk? Or do you use your position to keep them "in their place"? And most importantly... What's your horse's name?

Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Athletics

Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming device, Vehicles (land)

Equipment: One gaming device, a bit and bridle, a saddle (riding), four horseshoes, a horse (riding), Traveler's Clothes, 4 days of animal feed for your steed, and a belt pouch with 10 gp.

Feature: Gallant Rider

As a royal cavalryman, you are respected and well-known. Most stable owners will not charge you to rest your horse there, and innkeepers tend to give you a slight discount due to your position. In addition, most guards will not interfere if you decide to dish out vigilante justice, as they trust you have your reasons.

Feature: Gallant Rider (Variant)

You are a Royal Cavalryman, as long as you have good renown with the local populace, they will lend themselves to aid you in providing: medical services, temporary lodging, and food at no charge. However, if you choose to take advantage of the people's hospitality and not pay them; your character's renown with the locals and the township will decrease slightly. Paying their discount price offered to you, as set by the DM, will keep your renown stable with the locals and township. Paying full price for services offered to you will improve your renown with the local townsfolk and local government for being a reputable and trustworthy client who pays well. The locals will tend to your non-exotic mount's health needs and feed them if you have Good renown with the locals or township. Townsfolk will not give you excess supplies for your travels as a result of this feature alone. You can grant these bonuses to other party members when they are suffering from an ailment or injury by convincing the townsfolk that it is in their interest to help those in league with you, as long as you are viewed favorably of the Good alignment by the corresponding locals or township that provides these services. When lending the help of the township to other party members, the penalty for providing, for each party member who doesn't pay for their care and supplies; will be double the base penalty to your renown than if it were for yourself. With enough renown acculmulated, the local Mayor, or Baron, may award you with a Writ of Honor which you can use within the Kingdom or Nation that the township belongs to. The Writ of Honor will provide extra renown to npcs, or townships, you present yourself to. While the effects of the Writs of Honor are culmulative, they provide no bonuses in other countries, even when allied with the country that provided the Writ of Honor, unless the NPC in question has a connection to the Baron or Mayor that signed it. The effects of a Writ of Honor last for as long as the person who signed it is still in a position of authority over a fief or township.

Suggested Characteristics

Either choose from the selections below or use your imagination.

d8	Personality Trait
1	The ruler granted me this position based on my hard work.
2	My noble heritage allowed me this status.
3	I was the head of my local regiment, and left my right hand in command until I return.
4	My squad helped to protect small villages from raiders.
5	I was the best of my squad, until a battle left me badly wounded. I was told I shouldn't ride again.
6	I often allow children to ride with me. I love their happy expressions as the wind whips their hair around.
7	I was raised by the royal calvary, and eventually joined their ranks.
8	I was recruited into the local squadron because of my riding skills.

d6	Ideal
1	Bravery. Running from a fight is an act of inexcusable cowardess. (Any)
2	Honor. Royal cavalrymen must follow a code of honor, I am no exception. (Lawful)
3	Greed. I use my position to get whatever I want, anyone would. (Evil)
4	Justice. Those who commit crimes shall never rest easy; I will find them. (Good)
5	Fury. I will destroy any person that angers me. (Chaotic)
6	Diplomacy. I would much rather settle disputes without anyone dying. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	I care deeply for my parents, and try to visit when I can.
2	My twin is also a calvaryman, and I worry about him/her.
3	My horse is my best friend.
4	I met a charming man/woman in a little town, and we fell in love.
5	Any I travel with become like family to me.
6	Because of my upbringing, I care for all people of poverty.

d6	Flaw
1	I am quick to retreat if I feel a loss approaching.
2	I believe myself above all others.
3	If my horse is in danger, I will risk my life for it.
4	I care little for nobility, and openly state it to their faces.
5	I am the best rider in the land, and as such, I will bet everything on a race, for I will win!
6	Just like the winds, my mind changes constantly.

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