You have spent your early life in search of treasures even at the cost of risking your own life. Hunting the treasures means a lot to you and now that you have all the experience of the mercenary life, you can easily travel through the dangerous lands, fighting enemies and finding the treasure all by yourself.
You have been in battles that have prepared you for the dangers ahead and you might also have been a part of the groups like Zhentarim or soldiers of the Mintarn or it might not be a large one but a small one instead.
Your past life has taught you so much and now you are ready to earn more rewards for all the risks you take. You have all the skills you’d need to travel your path without having to work for anyone else.
What is a Mercenary Veteran in DND?
The Mercenary Veteran is someone who has spent his life working for someone else as a soldier for hire. You have put your life at risk countless times to find the treasure to get a share from it. You have been through battles and fights that almost got you killed numerous times.
But all these adventures that you have been through sometimes with a large group or a small group, have taught you all the necessary skills that you require to go out on adventures of your own and pursue your path. You have decided to put your life at risk for no one else but you, so you can keep all the treasure to yourself.
You know all the ins and outs of life as a mercenary, be it the skills you require to survive in the battle or find the ways to reach the treasure.
Your Skills: Your skills include Athletics and Persuasion.
Your Tool Proficiencies: You can have a gaming set and a land vehicle.
Languages: None.
Equipment: You have a uniform of the company you work for, a badge that shows your rank in the company, a gaming set of your choice, and a pouch with 10 GP that you earned in your last task.
Suggested Characteristics
Personality Traits
| D8 | Personality Traits |
| 1 | I like to show off, particularly if there’s a chance to get a job offer in it. |
| 2 | I am always gregarious and cheerful, no matter the situation, as long as I am paid well. |
| 3 | To me, the whisper of steel and the clash of weapons is just as pleasing as any amount of gold. |
| 4 | I always train because training leaves the person ready even in a moment of respite or weakness. |
| 5 | I hold myself to a strict code of ideals. |
| 6 | I keep my personal possessions in secret places which are known only to me. |
| 7 | I would do anything to protect my weapons of arm, for I know it will protect me in return. |
| 8 | I do nothing, move no finger or a blade, unless I hear the jingling sound of coins. |
Ideals
| D6 | Ideals |
| 1 | Golden Soul: I fight for money, and nothing else. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Great Publicity: I will be known for my deeds, sooner rather than later. (Any) |
| 3 | Power or Death: In my line of profession, the strong live and the weak starve. (Evil) |
| 4 | Non-Sold Honor: I never break my promises. Never. (Lawful) |
| 5 | War and Crime: Whenever chaos flourishes, so too does my work. (Chaotic) |
| 6 | Good for Sale: I am a sell-sword who swings his weapon only in the name of good. (Good) |
Bonds
| D6 | Bonds |
| 1 | I became a mercenary to support my family, who would have probably starved in a slum somewhere if not for me. |
| 2 | I fight for a lover that knows little if not nothing of me. |
| 3 | I was inspired by a great hero to become a mercenary. |
| 4 | I treat my valued comrades like brothers, and I will let no insult or injury fall upon them. |
| 5 | I seek to protect something of great importance to me by keeping it a secret, so you better forget what you just heard. |
| 6 | I never disrespect an employer, if they never disrespect me or stop giving me money. |
Flaws
| D6 | Flaws |
| 1 | I’ll do anything for coin, damn the consequences. |
| 2 | As much as I pretend to love fighting, I secretly hate hurting others. |
| 3 | I have crippling debts that my work barely pays it off. |
| 4 | I never fail at my tasks, even if I have to resort to less honorable means to complete them. |
| 5 | I would send an innocent to face his death if it means I will win the fight. |
| 6 | Someone powerful would do anything to have my head, so I seek to gain his or her head first. |
Features
Mercenary Life
You have spent your life as a mercenary and you know all the ins and outs about it. You can easily tell apart the mercenary groups from their uniform or badge. Your experience as a mercenary can still get you occasional jobs from different groups so you can afford your lifestyle while continuing your adventure.
You can find the areas where the mercenaries reside in taverns and the fest halls which can come in handy for you.
Why Use Mercenary Veteran Background?
Mercenary Veteran is a hardcore background, someone who has gone through a lot of hardships, fought a lot of battles, been through near-death experiences, and knows all about the life of a mercenary. Your skills and experience make you so capable of taking on this journey of a lifetime.
You never hesitate to put your life on the line to complete the task at hand, no matter how hard it is. You have information about the different companies of mercenaries, their leaders along with their names and ranks. The Mercenary Veteran closely follows the background properties of the Soldier but the backstory and features make this background a great choice to have fun.
