You once lived by the law of the blade, taking what you wanted and leaving nothing but ruin in your wake. Whether as part of a ruthless warband, a barbarian horde, or a naval raiding crew, you thrived on plunder, destruction, and conquest. You may have sacked villages, ambushed caravans, or burned towns to the ground, leaving only the strongest survivors to flee or join your ranks. Violence was your trade, and survival meant proving your strength again and again.
Perhaps you have left that life behind, seeking something beyond bloodshed. Or maybe you are still a warrior at heart, tempered only by the wisdom of past mistakes. Regardless, your knowledge of war, strategy, and the brutal realities of life remains invaluable. You know how to strike hard and fast, how to live off the land when supplies run low, and how to intimidate those who would stand in your way. But wherever you go, the specter of your past may follow—old enemies, former allies, or the lingering reputation of a life spent in chaos.
Spoils of War
You have an eye for valuable loot and a knack for taking what you need. You can quickly appraise the worth of weapons, armor, and supplies, recognizing what is worth keeping and what is dead weight. Additionally, in settlements where violence is common or authority is weak, you can find fences, black market traders, or mercenary recruiters who recognize the value of someone with your experience, offering you opportunities for work, trade, or refuge.
Suggested Characteristics
Marauders are shaped by a life of violence and hardship. Some embrace their past, seeing might as the only law that matters, while others regret the destruction they once wrought. Many struggle with anger, viewing the world as an endless battlefield, while others develop a grim practicality, knowing that only those who fight survive.
Personality Traits
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|
| 1 | I am always scanning for weaknesses, looking for the strongest and weakest in any group. |
| 2 | I take what I want without hesitation—waiting is for cowards. |
| 3 | I have seen enough death that I no longer fear my own. |
| 4 | I live for the thrill of battle—there’s no rush like facing death head-on. |
| 5 | I believe the strong have a duty to rule, and the weak should serve or perish. |
| 6 | I have no patience for noble ideals—might is what shapes the world. |
| 7 | I have a strict sense of loyalty to those who fight beside me. |
| 8 | I am haunted by the faces of those I killed, though I would never admit it. |
Ideals
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|
| 1 | Strength. The strong take what they want; the weak are meant to serve. (Evil) |
| 2 | Freedom. I answer to no one but myself. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Honor. Even warriors must have codes—there are rules to war. (Lawful) |
| 4 | Survival. Life is brutal, and only the clever and strong make it. (Neutral) |
| 5 | Redemption. I have seen enough destruction—I seek to atone. (Good) |
| 6 | Brotherhood. Those who fight beside me are my family, and I would die for them. (Any) |
Bonds
| d6 | Bond |
|---|
| 1 | A warlord once led me, and I will either serve them again or see them dead. |
| 2 | I lost my old warband, and I seek to build a new one. |
| 3 | A village or town I raided still haunts me—I owe them a great debt. |
| 4 | I have a keepsake from my past battles, a reminder of what I once was. |
| 5 | An enemy I wronged in my past still seeks vengeance, and I must be ready. |
| 6 | I fight not for myself, but for those who depend on me to survive. |
Flaws
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|
| 1 | I am always on edge, expecting betrayal at every turn. |
| 2 | I struggle to solve problems without resorting to violence. |
| 3 | I see diplomacy as weakness, and I have little patience for it. |
| 4 | I enjoy destruction more than I should, even when unnecessary. |
| 5 | I am a slave to my rage, and I lose control in the heat of battle. |
| 6 | I take pleasure in making others fear me—it reminds me I am strong. |
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