Minion (5e Background)

Minion

Kobold minions and their wizard mistress, by Marcela Medeiros

You are a staple of the story, being a grunt or mook which builds to the ultimate ending. While you are usually a pain to deal with and underappreciated, you are ultimately a necessary part of the story. You often do the grunt work, setting traps, maybe polishing your masters shoes and weapons, and dealing with people your master doesn't want to see. So, how did you end up in this humble position as a minion? Are you perhaps bound by your heritage? Has your family, maybe race, been historic minion figures? This can be the case for races like goblins and kobolds. Or maybe you were just considered a runt in your society and thus deemed fit only to serve. You don't necessarily have to serve an evil master either. They could be an unaligned or benevolent figure who sends you out in the world with their coat of arms to complete some task.

Or maybe you don't want to be a minion anymore. Perhaps you deserted your minion duties and now are a freelance for higher in a mercenary company. Former minions don't have that many options in life since being a minion isn't something you can put in your resume anyway. So, what do you do now as a former minion? Do you seek to just make your own new life, burning the old bridges? Or do you have a secret grudge or unsettled business with your old employer? Maybe you left something or someone of value behind. Or maybe you want to use your knowledge of your old master to squander them and lead others to bring about their downfall?

Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Athletics, Deception, Stealth and Investigation

Tool Proficiencies: Poisoner's kit, thieves' tools

Languages: Choose one. It should preferably reflect your environment as a minion. For example, if you worked at an orc camp, you probably know Orc.

Equipment: A set of common clothing, thieves' tools, a momento or trinket from your employment, a belt pouch with 5 gp

Feature: Dungeon Maker

From your experience having worked in maintaining, patrolling and even digging dungeons, you are very well versed in their make. You notice things about them that others would easily miss. You know from the make of a dungeon what creatures may inhabit it, and you can garner a rough estimate of areas opportune for traps and secret passages.

Suggested Characteristics

Minions are varied as anyone is. Some are merely looking for ways to get by in life, while others have grand aspirations in the making. They can be outright mean, or helpful. Or both.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I have a lot of spite and I show it in everything I do, from petty crime to jokester tricks.
2	I believe I have a very important role in life, thank you very much!
3	I hate anyone who thinks themselves too good for everything!
4	I love to sweet talk anyone to get away with anything.
5	I tend to walk with my head down and my voice low.
6	I like to measure and write everything out instead of actually doing it.
7	Making decisions is too hard! Let someone else do it.
8	I dislike not being the one in charge.

d6	Ideal
1	Revenge. My master treats me terribly and I am going to help speed up their downfall. (Any)
2	Freedom. I want to be my own master! (Chaotic)
3	Orders. I exist for the use of my master. (Lawful)
4	Redemption. Maybe it'd be nice to play a good guy for once? (Good)
5	Usurp. I will take over this dungeon for my own grander schemes, more than anything my master could have imagined! (Evil)
6	Fate's Hand. I'm just a measly grain in the greater cog machine. Whatever happens happens. (Neutral)

d6	Bond
1	I have a family history of minion-doing.
2	There is nothing tying me down to this job anymore. No one, nothing.
3	My master knows a horrible secret about me.
4	I met some adventurer who convinced me to give up my ways.
5	I left my loved ones behind in the dungeons...
6	I have a friend outside who's willing to put up with me.

d6	Flaw
1	I cannot make decisions for myself.
2	I like someone else to always take the responsibility or blame.
3	I have a short attention span.
4	My speech skills are very much lacking.
5	I never like challenges. Just give it to me easy!
6	I like to think and scheme, but have no nerve to actually do.

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