Crime has been crawling through the streets of the city, as you have watched it up close and served the community. You are the first line of defense that protects the citizens against lawlessness. You might not be a soldier but you play an important role in the elimination of crime by helping the policeman against those who commit crimes in the city.
What is a City Watch in DND?
You are an upright man of honor and justice, you want the law to prevail against the crimes. Your past suggests, you might be a member of the Silver watch, a defender of the silvery moon or you have been a part of a baton-wielding force, city watch of Water deep that protects the citizens from the outlaws.
Perhaps, you could be the part of Spell Guard, a magic-wielding force, or even a member of the Winter shield watchmen in Neverwinter, a newly formed branch hell-bent on keeping the peace in the city.
Your 5E background, regardless you were or weren’t born and raised in the city, suggests that you have spent your early life being a member of law enforcement and you have helped to keep peace in the city against the criminals.
Your Skills: Athletics and Insight are the focal skills that you have mastered over the years of your service in law enforcement.
Your Tools: None, because unlike most, you don’t rely on tools.
Languages: You can choose to have 2 languages of your choice.
Equipment: Being part of the law enforcement, you have a uniform with your rank badge, a horn that you can use to call for help, a set of manacles, and 10GP in your pouch.
Suggested Characteristics
Personality Traits
| D8 | Personality Traits |
| 1 | I am always polite and respectful. |
| 2 | I am haunted by memories of war. I can’t get the images of violence out of my mind. |
| 3 | I have lost too many friends, and I’m slow to make new ones. |
| 4 | I am full of inspiring and cautionary tales from my military experience relevant to almost every combat situation. |
| 5 | I can stare down a hellhound without flinching. |
| 6 | I enjoy being strong and like breaking things. |
| 7 | I have a crude sense of humor. |
| 8 | I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success. |
Ideals
| D6 | Ideals |
| 1 | Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others. (Good) |
| 2 | Responsibility. I do what I must and obey just authority. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. In life as in war, the stronger force wins. (Evil) |
| 5 | Live and Let Live. Ideals aren’t worth killing over or going to war for. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Nation. My city, nation, or people are all that matter. (Any) |
Bonds
| D6 | Bonds |
| 1 | I would still lay down my life for the people I served with. |
| 2 | Someone saved my life on the battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind. |
| 3 | My honor is my life. |
| 4 | I will never forget the crushing defeat my company suffered or the enemies who dealt it. |
| 5 | Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for. |
| 6 | I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. |
Flaws
| D6 | Flaws |
| 1 | The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still leaves me quivering with fear. |
| 2 | I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior. |
| 3 | I made a terrible mistake in the battle that cost many lives—and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret. |
| 4 | My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning. |
| 5 | I obey the law, even if the law causes misery. |
| 6 | I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I am wrong. |
Variants
Investigator
The investigator is the variant of City Watch background with many similarities but unlike the City Watch, the job of the Investigator is to solve the crimes after they are committed. They are rare because there are not many City Watch with experience and skills to solve the crimes but if you do have experience in crime-solving then your City Watch would have Investigation as a proficiency instead of Athletics.
Features
Watcher’s Eye
Your past work as a law enforcer has given you a special ability to track down the criminal’s hideouts as well as local outposts of other law enforcement. This ability can help you when in need to find a local agency and ask for help or to track down criminals when you have to.
Why Use City Watch?
City Watch 5e is a great background with a decent back-story. As a City watch, you help those who cannot fight for themselves and become their hero and savior. The local folks trust you with their lives and your brothers in law enforcement will have your back in any difficult situation.
You can see the trouble from a mile as you have spent most of your life dealing with criminals and outlaws. You have a great insight that lets you see through the lies and help you get to the truth which helps you keep out of danger.
