Sailor (5e 2014)¶
Source: 2014 Player's Handbook (5e 2014).
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. Your first love is the distant line of the horizon, but the time has come to try your hand at something new. Discuss the nature of the ship you previously sailed with your DM. Was it a merchant ship, a naval vessel, a ship of discovery, or a pirate ship? How famous (or infamous) is it? Is it widely traveled? Is it still sailing, or is it missing and presumed lost with all hands? What were your duties on board – boatswain, captain, navigator, cook, or some other position? Who were the captain and first mate? Did you leave your ship on good terms with your fellows, or on the run?
Benefits¶
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Skill Proficiencies | Athletics Perception |
| Tool Proficiencies | Navigator's tools vehicles (water) |
| Languages | None |
| Equipment | A belaying pin ( club Value:1sp Weight:2lbs ) 50 feet of silk rope Value:10gp Weight:5lbs a lucky charm such as a rabbit foot or a small stone with a hole in the center (or you may roll for a random trinket on the Trinkets table in chapter 5) a set of common clothes Value:5sp Weight:3lbs and a pouch Value:5sp Weight:1lb containing 10gp Variants Pirate You spent your youth under the sway of a dread pirate a ruthless cutthroat who taught you how to survive in a world of sharks savages. You've indulged in larceny on the high seas sent more than one deserving soul to a briny grave. Fear bloodshed are no strangers to you and you've garnered a somewhat unsavory reputation in many a port town. If you decide that your sailing career involved piracy you can choose the Bad Reputation feature below instead of the Ship's Passage feature. Features Ship's Passage When you need to you can secure free passage on a sailing ship for yourself your adventuring companions. You might sail on the ship you served on or another ship you have good relations with (perhaps one captained by a former crewmate). Because you're calling in a favor you can't be certain of a schedule or route that will meet your every need. Your DM will determine how long it takes to get where you need to go. In return for your free passage you your companions are expected to assist the crew during the voyage. Alternative: Bad Reputation If your character has a pirate background you may select this background feature instead of Ship's Passage. No matter where you go people are afraid of you due to your reputation. When you are in a civilized settlement you can get away with minor criminal offenses such as refusing to pay for food at a tavern or breaking down doors at a local shop since most people will not report your activity to the authorities. Suggested Characteristics Sailors can be a rough lot but the responsibilities of life on a ship make them generally reliable as well. Life aboard a ship shapes their outlook forms their most important attachments. Personality Traits d8 Personality Trait 1 My friends know they can rely on me no matter what. 2 I work hard so that I can play hard when the work is done. 3 I enjoy sailing into new ports making new friends over a flagon of ale. 4 I stretch the truth for the sake of a good story. 5 To me a tavern brawl is a nice way to get to know a new city. 6 I never pass up a friendly wager. 7 My language is as foul as an otyugh nest. 8 I like a job well done especially if I can convince someone else to do it. Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Respect. The thing that keeps a ship together is mutual respect between captain crew. (Good) 2 Fairness. We all do the work so we all share in the rewards. (Lawful) 3 Freedom. The sea is freedom-the freedom to go anywhere do anything. (Chaotic) 4 Mastery. I'm a predator and the other ships on the sea are my prey. (Evil) 5 People. I'm committed to my crewmates not to ideals. (Neutral) 6 Aspiration. Someday I'll own my own ship chart my own destiny. (Any) Bonds d6 Bond 1 I'm loyal to my captain first everything else second. 2 The ship is most important – crewmates captains come go. 3 I'll always remember my first ship. 4 In a harbor town I have a paramour whose eyes nearly stole me from the sea. 5 I was cheated out of my fair share of the profits and I want to get my due. 6 Ruthless pirates murdered my captain crewmates plundered our ship and left me to die. Vengeance will be mine. Flaws d6 Flaw 1 I follow orders even if I think they're wrong. 2 I'll say anything to avoid having to do extra work. 3 Once someone questions my courage I never back down no matter how dangerous the situation. 4 Once I start drinking it's hard for me to stop. 5 I can't help but pocket loose coins other trinkets I come across. 6 My pride will probably lead to my destruction. |