Temple Guardian (5e Background)

Temple Guardian


You have spent your life in the service of a temple to a specific god or pantheon of gods - not as an anointed acolyte or cleric, but as one of its watchful protectors. Choose a god, a pantheon of gods, or some other quasi-divine being from among those listed in appendix B (PHB), 5e SRD Pantheons or those specified by your DM. Work with your DM to detail the nature of your religious service.

Were you a silent sentinel who spent hours in unmoving vigilance? Or maybe the ‘Holder-of-the-keys’ for a sacred library, vault or reliquary? Or perhaps you moved secretly amongst the worshippers ever watchful for thieves and other threats.

Friend or Pariah? What caused you to leave the Temple? Did you suffer a fall from grace? Or perhaps you were struck by a change of heart? How do the followers of the temple perceive you?


Skill Proficiencies: Religion and either Intimidation or Insight.

Languages: You may choose one of Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal, Primordial if appropriate to the temple deity served (DM's discretion.).

Equipment: Uniform in the style of the guard; or a signet ring or amulet representing your affiliation. Boot polish and sewing kit and a belt pouch with 10gp.

Station

There are many kinds of Guardians, all based on the area guarded by you and its significance to your deity's/deities' worship. Where were you posted during your time as a Temple Guardian?

d8Station
1Sentry of the Door
2Color Guard
3Church Warden
4Altar Sentinel
5Unseen Watcher
6Shield of the Inner Sanctum
7Protector of the Treasury
8Custodian of the Library

Feature: Friend of the Order

Your order maintains a network of spies, agents and supporters. Though you are no longer working within the temple, through a set of secret signs you can locate safe havens in otherwise dangerous places. You may call on friends for shelter, food, sanctuary, and basic healing.

Variant Feature: Pariah of the order You may pass as a friend of the Order as above, but if your fallen status is revealed you will be shunned or persecuted.

Suggested Characteristics

Temple guardians are the anonymous protectors of their charge. Tradition and formality have been drilled into them for many years. They tend to be stiff and stoic, and do not like to be seen as an individual. Duty, faith and honor have great meaning for a temple guardian.

d8Personality Trait
1Every situation is evaluated for potential threats. Vigilance never sleeps.
2The security and peace of mind of those of my religion are my primary concern. I don’t care about much else.
3Attack, steal, or desecrate a temple and I will burn you on a stake in front of the gate.
4I maintain an calm and composed manner even in the most desperate of situations.
5Social situations are awkward to me and so I prefer to stand aside and observe.
6I want to be loved for my benevolent sacrifice.
7I think of commoners as sheep. My word was law in the temple and I continue to expect the same treatment.
8I am a guardian. This is my charge and my sacrifice. Honor is my life.
d8Ideal
1People. I am committed to the common worshippers of my order. Buildings fall and leaders are corrupted. (Chaotic)
2Honor. I will maintain (or restore) my honor. (Lawful)
3Advocate. I left my order to extend my order's ideals to everyone I meet. (Any)
4Corrupt. For the right price, I have secrets to sell. (Evil)
5Zealot. I am committed to my order first, everyone else comes second. (Neutral)
6Penance. I seek redemption for past failings. (Good)
7Freedom. I have seen the light and escaped the oppressive shackles of my previous life. (Chaotic)
8Piety. Abstinence, self-sacrifice and deep-reflection are superior to any hall of worship. (Any)
d6Bond
1I have seen the sacking of my Temple. I will have vengeance.
2I owe my temple a debt of gratitude for forging me into the person I am today.
3I have seen the corruption of the powerful. I will expose them all.
4The freedom of others is the only thing worth fighting for.
5I will see my temple’s glory raised to new heights.
6I will recover a relic to the sanctity of my temple.
d6Flaw
1My appearance is very important to me I must be clean and well-presented at all times.
2I have been cosseted by my upbringing. The hardships of commoners are a curiosity to me.
3I am stiff and haughty in my interactions with strangers.
4The fire in the priest's room wasn’t my fault! I shift the blame for my failings.
5I find beggars and the lower classes repellent.
6It irritates me that the world isn’t more ordered.

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gollark: I'm not talking about humans being bad in that sense, myself.
gollark: Ah, yes, right the second time.
gollark: Then probably "people like me lacking empathy".
gollark: Oh, cool!
gollark: You're going to blame it on capitalism. I'm pretty sure you're wrong.
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