Background: Courtier
In your earlier days, you were a personage of some significance in a noble court or a bureaucratic organization. You might or might not come from an upper-class family; your talents, rather than the circumstances of your birth, could have secured you this position. You might have been one of the many functionaries, attendants, and other hangers-on in one of the Courts of the Grasslands, or perhaps you traveled in Liria's baroque and sometimes cutthroat conglomeration of guilds, nobles, adventurers, and secret societies. You might have been one of the behind-the-scenes law-keepers or functionaries in Yithi or Tragekia, or you might have grown up in and around the castles of Dradehelia.
Even if you are no longer a full-fledged member of the group that gave you your start in life, your relationships with your former fellows can be an advantage for you and your adventuring comrades. You might undertake missions with your new companions that further the interest of the organization that gave you your start in life. In any event, the abilities that you honed while serving as a courtier will stand you in good stead as an adventurer.
Skill Proficiencies
Insight, Persuasion
Languages
Two of your choice
Equipment
A set of fine clothes and a pouch containing 5 gp
FEATURE: COURT FUNCTIONARY
Your knowledge of how bureaucracies function lets you gain access to the records and inner workings of any noble court or government you encounter. You know who the movers and shakers are, whom to go to for the favors you seek, and what the current intrigues of interest in the group are.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
Personality Traits
d8 Personality Trait 1 I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can't help it – I'm a perfectionist. 2 I'm a snob who looks down on those who can't appreciate fine art. 3 I always want to know how things work and what makes people tick. 4 I'm full of witty aphorisms and have a proverb for every occasion. 5 I'm rude to people who lack my commitment to hard work and fair play. 6 I like to talk at length about my place at court. 7 I don't part with my money easily and will haggle tirelessly to get the best deal possible. 8 I'm well known for my work, and I want to make sure everyone appreciates it. I'm always taken aback when people haven't heard of me.
Ideals
d6 Ideal 1 Community. It is the duty of all civilized people to strengthen the bonds of community and the security of civilization. (Lawful) 2 Generosity. My place at court was given to me so that I could use them to benefit the world. (Good) 3 Freedom. Everyone should be free to pursue his or her own livelihood. (Chaotic) 4 Greed. I'm only in it for the money. (Evil) 5 People. I'm committed to the people I care about, not to ideals. (Neutral) 6 Aspiration. I work hard to obtain the highest title I can at court.
Bonds
d6 Bond 1 The court where I first earned my title is the most important place in the world to me. 2 I created a great opportunity for someone, and then found them unworthy to receive it. I'm still looking for someone worthy. 3 I owe my court sponsor a great debt for forging me into the person I am today. 4 I pursue wealth to secure someone's love. 5 One day I will return to my court and prove that I am the greatest courtier of them all. 6 I will get revenge on the evil forces that destroyed my court (figuratively or literally) and ruined my life.
Flaws
d6 Flaw 1 I'll do anything to get my hands on something rare or priceless. 2 I'm quick to assume that someone is trying to cheat me. 3 No one must ever learn that I lied about my past to obtain my position. 4 I'm never satisfied with what I have – I always want more. 5 I would kill to acquire a noble title. 6 I'm horribly jealous of anyone who can outshine my talents. Everywhere I go, I'm surrounded by rivals.