Publication:Unearthed Arcana/Military Character Background

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Military Background

The activities associated with this background include broadly defined military missionis. The raid activity, for example, covers everything from young Vikings on their first pillage to elite commandos striking behind enemy lines. Except for all-out war, none of the activities implies continuous assignment. Most soldiers spend much of their time training, guarding, and hanging out in the barracks.

Military recognition takes two forms: decorations (medals, fancy uniforms, tattoos, and the like) and rank (encompassing traditional military ranks and sometimes noble or honorific titles). In each case, the recognitioin check DC is modified by the character's base attack bonus. Rollong a natural 20 on a recognion check gives the character a double promotion or a more prestigious decoration.

Example Ranks and Decorations

The following military ranks are typical of a national army in a fantasy kingdom. Designing your own command structure and unique decorations is a good way to make your game world seem more real.

Ranks (Lowest to Highest): Armsman, Sergeant, Sergeant Major, Lieutenant, Captain, Makor, Colonel, General.

Decorations: Three-Star Cluster (for valor), Ivy-Oak Medallion (for service to the realm), ribbon of Scarla (for bravery under fire), Iron Gauntlet (for unsurpassed heroism).

Military Background Activities

d%	Activity	Class	Feats	Skills	Gear	Contacts	Rep	Recognition
01-11	Raid	Barbarian or fighter	Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization	Climb, Jump, Intimidate, Search, Swim	Melee weapon	Information	+0	Decoration, DC 20
12-19	Trainer	Fighter	Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm	Intimidate, Diplomacy Knowledge (local)	Wondrous item for morale/interaction	Influence	+1	Rank, DC 22
20-27	Cavalry Scout	Ranger	Mounted Combat, Mounted Archery	Ride, Spot, Listen, Survival, Search, Move Silently, Hide	Ranged weapon	Information	+0	Decoration, DC 20
28-35	Heavy cavalry	Fighter or paladin	Mounted Combat, Spirited Charge	Ride, Intimidate, Jump	Barding	Information	+1/2	Decoration or rank, DC 24
36-44	Defense	Fighter or dwarven defender 1	Dodge, Mobility	Profession (siege engineer), Climb, Jump	Armor or shield	Skill	+1/2	Rank, DC 24
45-52	Scout	Ranger or arcane archer 1	Alertness, Stealthy	Spot, Listen, Move Silently, Hide, Survival	Wondrous item for stealth, communication or perception	Information	+0	Rank, DC 24
53-63	Shock trooper	Fighter	Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush	Climb, Intimidate, Jump	Armor or shield	Information	+1/2	Decoration, DC 24
64-74	Siege	Fighter	Power Attack, Improved Sunder	Climb, Jump, Profession (siege engineer)	Melee weapon	Information	+1/2	Decoration, DC 22
75-80	War	Fighter	Any fighter bonus feat	Climb, Intimidate, Jump	Melee weapon	Influence	+1	Rank, DC 20
81-86	Diplomacy	Fighter or paladin	Leadership, Persuasive	Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Knowledge (nobility and royalty)	Wondrous item for morale/interaction	Influence	+1	Rank, DC 24
87-94	Border patrol	Ranger	Point Blank Shot, Far Shot	Survival, Spot, Listen, Hide, Move Silently	Ranged weapon	Information	+0	Rank, DC 26
95-100	Herald	Bard or fighter	Negotiator, Weapon Focus	Knowledge (nobility and royalty), Diplomacy, Knowledge (local), Sense Motive, Spot, Listen, Knowledge (history)	Armor or shield	Influence	+1	Rank, DC 24
1 Indicates a prestige class. Only available if the class is allowed in the camaign.

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