Class Contacts: The Fighter [d20]

Well, I was on my way to running a Dolmenwood game but my usual group is wanting to give Eberron a shot using Knave; so I'll likely be running it with my B-team crew once I've got the time and means; as well as the pdfs I backed in the OSE Kickstarter.

That all being said, expect some Eberron material in the future which will likely be done up in the same sort of style/tables as Rakehell. What follows isn't any of that stuff though, it's a list of randomroll contacts who have a bit more to them than just a mere sentence. These first twenty are related to the Fighter/Warrior archetype, and they operate under the assumption that your character has become an adventurer after participating in a conflict of some sort.

I, having used this before, gave any Fighter a number of rolls on this equal to their Charisma Modifier, with a minimum of 1 Contact. Rolling the same results multiple times increases the level of importance and favoritism the contact has for you, regardless of how you might view them. Best friends can sometimes make terrible enemies.

The Fighter Class Contacts [d20]

1. Your old commander, maimed and retired and bitter about both of those reasons as much as they're bitter about everything else in life. They want so desperately to see action again. They want even more desperately to find a reason to keep on living, should they not be able to find a warrior's death fitting of their life's work. You brighten their day, which makes the darkened hours all the drearier...

2. The quartermaster of your former company, now stuck in a job that barely uses their talents. They've grown bored, lax, and corrupt. Without challenges or thrills in life, there's very little point in giving a thought to their numbers. Nobody else check's their ledgers, and that makes their descent all the easier...

3. A mercenary, from a company you once worked alongside of. Knows the good jobs, but always doubts your valor and courage; as if you're somehow good enough friends for such playful banter. Has tried to hire you to work for their company before, but there's a good reason you never signed on...

4. An old enemy who has since fallen into neutral terms with you as the conflict which bore such ill-will is of little modern concern. Harbors no lingering spite but fears you planting a dagger in their back. Is utterly profit-minded now, though when they whisper your name to peers, it is hard to know their intent...

5. A chaplain who once roused your spirits in an hour of darkness. Now, sadly, disillusioned by conflict, clinging to their faith which they now view in tatters. Chastises your level of devotion, be it too high, too low, or not important at all. Wants so desperately for there to be a sign that all of this was worth it...

6. An old ally of yours who committed heinous war crimes in the field. They show no sign of any regret. Strangely calm and treats you like you're a true friend. They treat you like you were complicit in their horror show. They wear the face of a good citizen, but you see a fracture in that mask and something wicked deep beneath it waiting to emerge...

7. A minor lordling who has heard tales of the conflict and thinks you a good source of stories. Likes to play soldier, likes to get in the rough of it. Will get themselves killed trying to emulate your deeds or those of your superiors, as they lack a frame of reference or a friendship with death...

8. A knight who once used your companions and self as a means to gain personal glory; much to your suffering. Is terrified of the many deaths caused by such avaricious gloryhounding may be revealed and see him undone. Assists out of fear you might blackmail them, certainly not a true friend...

9.  A young watchman, the first person who saw you when you came back from the war. Hasn't been to war proper, but knows they might get sent someday. Genuinely kind company, but treats you with a gentle and distant touch; like you're a hound that's been beaten one too many times, not a person.

10. A once cruel officer who saw you take the lash, but now home from the war has shown themselves to be a pleasant person with a loving family. They speak of the war and their actions only when asked, and do not dwell in glory or lies. They do not take back their actions, they were right at the time. They treat you like you're lost, like you don't get how things are now...

11. A deserter, ever apologetic for having left the night before that devastating massacre. Lives in fear of being outed for their flight, lives in shame for their cravenness. Is well-connected and living under a false name, just wants to be left alone but is burdened to you by their own guilt...

12. A bilious wandering judge who had once hired you to keep them safe from "the rabble" and "the riff-raff." Loves to blather on about precedent and law, and always seemed to care more about profitable interpretation than just ones. Brought you around so your might could make right...

13. The plague doctor who kept you in quarantine upon your return, probing and peeling at your flesh for sake of "the community" and a fear of war-time contaminants. Trusts you because you were "clean", somehow thinks of you as a grand old friend. Is always announcing you when they see you by saying "And this is my friend..."

14. Local "monster hunters," really a couple reckless youths who seem to know their local legends and possess a nearly perverse desire to risk their lives in combat against the unknown. They're so impressed by everything about you and want you to show them the ropes, but they're very dismissive as well. They will end up charlatans, surely...

15. A troupe of lepers who have heard of your deeds from others who have passed through their ill-treated brotherhood. They linger on the fringes of the roads, but they know the nature of your soul at a glance and deem you a fair-weather friend in worthy of protecting; for so few are ravaged by conflict and decide to keep moving forward...

16. Your sibling who went off to fight in the same war, at your side even, but who has lost their way since the end of the conflict. They have readjusted to society by telling tall tales and exaggerating their actions to scales both grand and minute. They rouse to anger quickly, brought down only by the weight of their shame for not weathering it as well as you have, or with the numbness dolled out by the oblivion-seeking sips of a bottle...

17. A corpse-picker who once helped you bury the body of a friend. They lent you a sip from their lucky flask and allowed you to vent your rage and your sorrows. They promised not to take his boots, because its harder to do that when they see someone cared for the body. They always seem to know a buyer from something...

18. A camp follower, to whom you spent many nights with in comfort despite vows or promises made to anyone before you left. They know things are different now that you're not out warring. They try their best to not act like anything you had with them was real...

19. A maligned caster of spells from some cloistered tower or institution, who sees in you a capacity do what needs doing in the world. They speak pompously, seldom with kindness in their tone, but they are always good for the money they owe. They want you to know that their reputation is embellished and hope you'll make a proper appraisal, if only so they might hear something new...

20. A local lord who has heard of your work and deeds, and considers you to be an appropriate rook to be used in combat with their enemies. Invites you to feasts and tournaments, but seldom will you two have a moment to speak. Their counsel makes it know you are utterly disposable as an asset, but when you and the lord have words it is clear they value some small bit of your world-view.