World Builder Blog

You have to start over. You’re past your prime. Years of retirement have made you soft.  You’re a has-been. These words sound harsh but they’re the theme of many Hollywood blockbusters. A former badass rediscovers an adventurous trade long-forgotten. The old boxer trains for one last fight against a young buck. The former special ops father suits up to save his kidnapped daughter. Stella gets her groove back. This is a familiar trope and now it’s coming to your D&D game.

I know it might seem strange to play a former adventurer who has come out of retirement, but why not? Yes, this background works for characters starting at levels higher than 1st, but I contend that it works for 1st level characters as well. Age, a cushy lifestyle, an accident, or something supernatural (like the breaking of a pact between warlock and patron) could take many of the skills of a retired adventurer. Something, be it boredom, bankruptcy, revenge, or a noble quest, pushes these adventurers back out the door and on the road.

To that end I’ve created the Retired Adventurer background for fifth edition Dungeons and Dragons. Take a look below and let me know what you think in the comments. Scroll down to grab the PDF of this background.

Retired Adventurer

You have lived a life of adventure already and retired to something quieter. You thought you were done and to that end may have given away all your old gear and spent all your treasure. Little did you know something would pull you back into your old career. If you choose this background you have some exciting questions to answer.

Since you had an adventuring career for a significant time, you should determine what that part of your past looked like. What adventures have you already had? How much time did you spend adventuring before retirement? Who was your most-hated enemy? Who did you adventure with? Why did you hang it up?

Something happened that made you lose your edge and finally honed adventuring skills. Has age or luxurious retirement made you soft? Did a physical or magical accident take some abilities from you? Did a supernatural force steal your mojo?

You have decided to walk the road of adventure once again. Why? Was it because you ran out of gold and want to earn some more the only way you know how? Did you become restless in retirement and are now seeking the thrill of battle? Are you out to prove you can still live up to your legend? Are you out for vengeance? A noble quest? To tie up one final lose end you didn’t realize until now was undone? Whatever the reason, you’re back on the road and ready to dive into another dungeon.

Skills: History, Insight

Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set

Languages: One of your choice

Equipment: An old map to a secret dungeon you never got around to visiting, a set of common clothes, a set of bone dice or a deck of cards, and a purse containing 25 gp.

Feature: C-List Celebrity

Whenever you are in a civilized area that knows of you past adventures, you can live a aristocratic life style for free as people wish to honor your past deeds. You can also use your influence to gain audiences with important political figures and get random gifts from admiring fans. However if you choose to use your influence in this way it also alerts anyone in the area looking for you of your location and draws a lot of attention to your party.

Suggested Characteristics

As a voice of experience in your party, you know the danger of the road you walk. You understand when to be cautious and when it’s time to take a risk. You have the right advice, warnings, and stories for all situations. Even if you don’t know what the heck you’re doing, your past makes others look to you for leadership.

d8	Personality Traits
1	I have no idea how to tell a short story.
2	I’m absolutely sure of my first instincts and always act on them.
3	Anyone younger than I am needs my advice.
4	I don’t enjoy physical contact with other unless it’s my fist in their faces.
5	I show my numerous scars in conversations to help drive points home.
6	When I laugh, the volume of my voice fills up the entire room.
7	Nothing pleases me more than a good meal, good company, and job well done.
8	I correct others when their lack of manners offends me.

d6	Ideals
1	Generosity. Everything I have, I share with those around me and in need. (Good)
2	Good Times. Life is short so I must take advantage of every opportunity to have fun. (Chaotic)
3	Power. Those who do not tremble at my name will have reason enough to do so soon. (Evil)
4	Logic. Emotions shouldn’t make decisions for us. (Lawful)
5	Greater Good. I would gladly give my life to defend those who cannot defend themselves. (Good)
6	Live and Let Live. Just because we disagree doesn’t mean we have to kill each other. (Neutral)

d6	Bonds
1	I never did find that magic item I wanted during my earlier adventuring days.
2	There’s more than a few broken hearts in all the towns along my old career path.
3	There is an inn I frequent where no one knows about my past life and I’d like to keep it that way.
4	I can’t ever go back to the town I accidentally had a hand in partially leveling.
5	My old adventuring companions still get together now and then to relive the good old days.
6	A rather famous song sung by the bards is actually about one of my greatest battles.

d6	Flaws
1	I do not take the advice of others because I know best always.
2	Violence solves most problems.
3	Ale is my very, very bestest friend.
4	I really don’t know when to shut up.
5	I tend to fall asleep at times when I should be alert.
6	I am glib and sarcastic at all time, especially when it is least appropriate.

PDF

How about a PDF of this background to take with as well as a PDF of all the backgrounds I’ve created? Links are below.

All Backgrounds

Retired Adventurer

And if you don’t grab it now, but want to grab it later, these documents will live forever on the Free Game Resources section of this site along with magic items, monsters, D&D fifth edition rules modules, spells, adventures, and more created by yours truly.

If you like what you’re reading, please check out my podcasts on The Tome Show, follow me on Twitter, tell your friends and share this blog post, and/or leave me a comment and let me know you think. Thanks!