Revolutionist (5e Background)
You are or were a rebel, a person who wants to destroy the government you are currently or were once in. You probably started in the early protests when most thought little of you revolutionary group, or joined later on in the height of the revolution. Either way, you quickly learned battle, survival, and leadership skills on the riots and battles of your unstable homeland.
Revolutionist
When you choose this background, work with your DM to determine the type of government or ideal your revolution was fighting for, the impact the revolution had on foreign governments, if the revolution succeeded or failed, your experiences as a revolutionist, and what other revolutionists thought of you (a leader or a traitor).
Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Insight
Tool Proficiencies: Choose one: (A) a type of artisan's tools, or (B) a type of instrument.
Languages: One language (not exotic)
Equipment: A crowbar or hempen rope (25 feet), a symbol of your revolution (flag, tattoo, ring or amulet, or emblem), a set of artisan's tools or a musical instrument, a calendar of planned riots or heists, traveler's clothes with a hood, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Specialties and Ideologies
A revolution never forms for no reason, and a good militia always haves some form of order. Roll or choose from the tables below to determine your role and ideology.
| d8 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Revolutionary Officer |
| 2 | Soldier |
| 3 | Spy |
| 4 | Raider or Quartermaster |
| 5 | Propagandist |
| 6 | Healer |
| 7 | Rioter |
| 8 | Support Staff (Cook, Blacksmith, or the Like) |
| d6 | Idealogies |
|---|---|
| 1 | Democracy or Republicanism |
| 2 | Feudalism (New Feudal Lord) |
| 3 | Fascism |
| 4 | Communism or Socialism |
| 5 | Anarchism |
| 6 | A Constitutional Form of the Current Government |
Feature: Political Affiliation
In your travels, you could run into people or governments who support your revolution and/or political ideals. They might give you or your party members supplies, gossip, or currency, merchants might lower prices of their goods for you, or mercenaries might fight with you for a lower price. A government could inform guards to ignore minor crimes or even allow access to areas otherwise restricted to others (if the revolutionary army you associate with is influential, of course).
On the other hand, you might run into people or governments that oppose you. They might be extra cautious of what you do, blame you for crimes and misdemeanors that you may not even know happen, or dismiss you entirely. Opposing governments may be a bigger threat, arresting you on sight, or not allowing you into major cities.
Suggested Characteristics
Surviving through a revolution, regardless of a person's side, can lead them to a politically extreme road. Revolutionists often debate and protest even after a successful takeover of a government. Revolutionists also prove to often be unorthodox, often participating in strange forms of celebratory and arts to protest the norms of the past government and society. However, revolutionists also learn how to work in a team, and often are willing to help their allies even if it could potentially harm their own livelihood. Unfortunately, revolutionists are also extreme on rivals, and often revolutionists pick more rivals than allies.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I'm quick to assume what others are like. |
| 2 | I'm extreme in political ideas. There is no moderate when talking about the future. |
| 3 | I enjoy being unorthodox and feel weird when I'm around people who are similar. |
| 4 | I'm always looking for something new. Like new food, new music, and the like. |
| 5 | I remember a lot of the battles/riots I was in, and they are usually relevant for tense or unkempt situations. |
| 6 | I always think about the future, never the past or present. |
| 7 | I like to attempt to be a leader. |
| 8 | The best solution to a problem is typically the one that the majority agrees on. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Utopianism The government and citizens must strive to achieve an utopia. (Good) |
| 2 | Influence We civilians must learn to think similarly to fix our problems. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Conquest We must spread our ideals to other lands and rule over them as well. (Evil) |
| 4 | New Age A new age is before us. We must abandon the old ways and embrace the new. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Equality Everyone is the same. Regardless of politics. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Civilization I'm committed to the entirety of civilization, not just my homeland. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I'm always allied with the revolutionists I've fought with. |
| 2 | A philosopher who introduced me to my ideal was killed by the government, I will spread his/her ideas. |
| 3 | I was tortured by government agents, one day I'll get revenge. |
| 4 | I am the voice for those who can't speak to their lords. |
| 5 | A friend betrayed me in the battlefield, I will never forgive him/her. |
| 6 | Those who share my ideology are worth being around. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have no respect for nobility. Who cares if they want my head? They're the evil ones! |
| 2 | I ignore contradictions in my reasonings. |
| 3 | I tend to feel hate stronger than I feel love. |
| 4 | I will never run away from a fight. Surrender rarley leads to good. |
| 5 | I change my mind constantly and never stay in an agreement. |
| 6 | Death is the only way to punish evils. |
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