Background: Ward / Political Hostage
Your character is the son of a noble family in the Holy Empire of Humanité. You have recently become a member of the Knights of Humanité ordained by the Empire's monotheistic church L'église universelle. You have taken your oaths of service from Pope Augustinius to serve Dieu and the Emperor Charles I.
You recently had the opportunity to fight in your first major conflict, with a naval power from the Dragonshome Islands. Your empire, the aggressor, sought to challenge the presence of this island empire of heathens in a neighboring power. Unfortunately though the empire may be a formidable land power, it is definately not a major sea power. In the recent conflict the forces of the Empire, and your unit in particular were thoroughly defeated and captured by the combined Drákon League forces.
As part of the negotiation for the return of the troops, the League sought assurances or collateral that the empire would not continue to engage in these wasteful attacks. Unexpectedly, the Emperor offered you up as a ward, or political hostage. A young noble of the Empire, and trained knight, the league viewed you as a valuable form of political collateral. Whether your own Empire felt the same is up for debate.
You were pulled from your unit and instructed to bring your personal belongings, weapon and armor with you. You were escorted to the Hēgemōn of the city-state of Asteriápolis, and placed under her oversight. She explains on the return voyage that you are her ward until the age of 18. While she is responsible for your basic needs, your nation will be held accountable for your behavior. She explains the basics of how the city-state is organized, the concepts of democracy, and the importance of families as the primary social unit. She understands the challenges you will face in as a young man or woman without a family. You are impressed by the complexity of the city, and the respect with which you are treated by the Hēgemōn and her staff.
Your experience of this new land is overwhelming. It is diverse, with humanoids of all sizes and colors. The islands are also home to many strange looking creatures. In your homeland, Humanité are the only creatures considered "Human". Other humanoid races and mixed bloodlines are scorned. Church leaders and other demagogues refer to them as savages, fiends. Discrimination and racial superiority are deeply held views taught from early childhood. The magical arts used by these savages are referred to as tricks or fraud. It is difficult to square your experiences on the island with what you have been taught.
After several months, she approaches you with a proposal. In order to better understand the League and its peoples, she suggests you attend the Drákos Akadimía along with her children. She will arrange for your sponsorship, in return for you entering with an open mind. As you will complete your education roughly around the time of your 18th birthday, you will have the option of returning home, or choosing to become a citizen of the League.
Starting Build
The Hēgemōn provides for your tuition and basic needs while at the Akadimía. You start with 25 gold drachma, and are provided a 33 silver drachma per month stipend. Your character starts with one ancestral weapon (+1 to hit and damage, non-magical). You are assumed to have a moderate lifestyle. Home City and Sponsor Family
Your game master will select the city that served as your home during your servitude, as well as the family which adopted you. Ancestry
Your background as noble of the Holy Empire of Humanité implys several things about your Character Ancestry. By choosing this background you are of Human Ancestry. You may also choose to be unaware of a mixed heritage. If you choose this option, you may choose from Dragon Scions, Elemental Scions or Nymph Scions. Keep this in mind if you intend to multiclass into a class requiring Bloodline magic or Natural Magic. Naming
You should choose your name from appropriate to Humanité. Initial Focus
If you are starting the game at level 1, you are free to choose your Character Focus. If your game master is starting the campaign at a higher level levels, your background will determine the initial focus (Character Class) available to your character. You are free to choose another Character Focus upon starting the Akadamía. You must choose Paladin (Oath of the Crown) as your starting class. This will be your first class in the event of multiclassing. With the approval of your DM you may be able to substitute an alternate oath (appropriate to your backstory).
The Hēgemōn provides for your tuition and basic needs while at the Akadimía. You start with 25 gold drachma, and are provided a 33 silver drachma per month stipend. Your character starts with one ancestral weapon (+1 to hit and damage, non-magical). You are assumed to have a moderate lifestyle. Home City and Sponsor Family
Your game master will select the city that served as your home during your servitude, as well as the family which adopted you. Ancestry
Your background as noble of the Holy Empire of Humanité implys several things about your Character Ancestry. By choosing this background you are of Human Ancestry. You may also choose to be unaware of a mixed heritage. If you choose this option, you may choose from Dragon Scions, Elemental Scions or Nymph Scions. Keep this in mind if you intend to multiclass into a class requiring Bloodline magic or Natural Magic. Naming
You should choose your name from appropriate to Humanité. Initial Focus
If you are starting the game at level 1, you are free to choose your Character Focus. If your game master is starting the campaign at a higher level levels, your background will determine the initial focus (Character Class) available to your character. You are free to choose another Character Focus upon starting the Akadamía. You must choose Paladin (Oath of the Crown) as your starting class. This will be your first class in the event of multiclassing. With the approval of your DM you may be able to substitute an alternate oath (appropriate to your backstory).
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