This section lists several professional Templates GMs might find useful in any number of Fantasy Hero campaigns. Many of these Templates can be used in conjunction with the various Templates offered in Fantasy Hero. Many of the templates shown here use multiple “pick one” lists, allowing for a lot of customization. However, anyone using these Templates shouldn’t feel constrained to use all of the elements shown. The Templates are meant to create Robin Hood-styled outlaws, not regular PCs.
APPRENTICE
An apprentice is someone learning a craft from a master. Most period apprentices are male and can be engaged in a wide number of pursuits, such as baker, blacksmith, carpenter, cooper (barrel maker), leather worker, shoemaker, and so on. Female apprentices might be learning to make ale (hence the term ‘alewife’), sewing, spinning, or weaving. In more fantastical settings, an apprentice could be learning how to make clockwork devices or how to craft semi-magical goods. In addition, GMs can easily splice this Template into the Craftsman Template on page 104 of Fantasy Hero.
Apprentice Template
Cost Ability 2 AK: Local Area 11- 2 KS: Culture, Materials, And Legends Of Chosen Profession 11- 3 PS: [choice of occupation] 12- 1 WF: Blades Notes: Or other weapon of choice. 3 3 points' of Skills and Powers from the following list: Notes: +1 with Block, Dodge, Punch, Running +2m and Riding 8-, Streetwise 2 2 points' of Skills from the following list: Notes: PS: Artistry 11-, PS: [related occupation] 8-, Language (2 points worth), SS: Numeracy 8-, Trading 8- Total Cost Of Package Abilities: 13 Complications Value Complication 5 Hunted: Local Officials And Guards Infrequently (Mo Pow; NCI; Limited Geographical Area; Watching) Total Cost Of Package Complications: 5
Apprentice Template Hero Designer File
MERCENARY/SOLDIER
This Template allows one to easily create a basic fighter character. An even more basic fighter might lose one (or both) of the Combat Skill Levels and might have Tactics on a 10 or 8-. A more advanced Mercenary/Soldier could have any combination of Archer, Commander, Heavy, or Light Warrior Templates.
Mercenary/Soldier Template
Cost Ability 8 +1 with HTH Combat 2 +1 with either Crossbow, Punch, or Weapon Strike 2 KS: Military Unit History And Customs 11- 3 Tactics 11- 3 WF: Common Melee Weapons, Crossbows 2 2 points' worth of Skills from the following list: Notes: AK: Local Area, Language: [choice], PS: [choice] 3 3 points' worth of Skills from the following list: Notes: Riding, Streetwise, Tracking Total Cost Of Package Abilities: 23 Complications Value Complication 10 Distinctive Features: Soldier Attitude And Bearing (Concealable) 10 Hunted: The King's Men Infrequently (Mo Pow; NCI; Watching) 10 Psychological Complication: Tends To Solve Problems With Violence (Common; Moderate) Total Cost Of Package Complications: 30
Mercenary/Soldier Template Hero Designer File
MONK/PRIEST
Akin to the Contemplative Priest Template found on page 77-78 of Fantasy Hero, this Template allows one to create a basic priest or monk character from around 1100-1200 AD. In fact, many of the Options listed for the Contemplative Priest make for excellent additions to this Template. More devout priests can raise the Psychological Complication to Strong or even Total.
Monk/Priest Template
Cost Ability 2 KS: Religious Doctrine 11- 3 Language: Latin (fluent conversation; literate) 1 Literacy in Native Tongue 6 6 points' of Skills from the following list: Notes: Oratory and Paramedics or Language (2 point's worth with Literacy) and Scholar 5 5 points' of Powers and Skills from the following list: Notes: Deduction and PS: Priest or Riding and Running +2m 2 KS: see notes 11- Notes: Biblical Scripture, Church History, or Local Myths And Legends 2 KS: see notes 11- Notes: European History, Herbalism, or SS: Numeracy Total Cost Of Package Abilities: 21 Complications Value Complication 10 Hunted: Church Officials and/or Local Officials And Guards Infrequently (Mo Pow; NCI; Watching) 10 Psychological Complication: Religious Beliefs And Tenets (Common; Moderate) Total Cost Of Package Complications: 20
Monk/Priest Template Hero Designer File
NOBLE
This Template represents a basic Norman noble lord from around 1200 AD. Obviously one can also use elements from the Noble Template on page 107 of Fantasy Hero to make a more complete character.
Noble Template
Cost Ability 3 Language: [choice] (completely fluent) 1 WF: Blades Notes: Or Two-Handed Weapons 1 WF: Crossbows Notes: Or Lance 3 3 points' of Skills and Perks from the following list: Notes: +1 with a tight group of weapons, High Society, 3 points' worth of Contacts 3 3 points' of Skills from the following list: Notes: Gambling, KS: Administration plus Literacy in one Language, Riding 2 2 points' of Skills from the following list: Notes: AK: Local Area, Language (2 points' worth), PS: [choice of craft] 1 Familiarity with one Skill from the following List: Notes: Oratory, Riding, Tracking Total Cost Of Package Abilities: 14 Complications Value Complication 10 choice from list Notes: DNPC: Friend, Infrequent (Normal) or Negative Reputation (Frequently) 10 choice from list Notes: Psychological Complication: Chivalrous In Battle (Common, Moderate), Psychological Complication: Arrogant; bad At Dealing With Peasants (Common, Moderate), Hunted: The King's Men, Infrequently (MoPow, Watching, NCI) Total Cost Of Package Complications: 20
Noble Template Hero Designer File
PEASANT
Peasants are farmers, herders, basic craftsmen, and so on. This template presumes the character is nigh-on to becoming an outlaw. Change the Hunted from a Watched to a Capture for any true outlaw. Removing the Watched and the Psychological Complication creates a fairly basic, run-of-the-mill peasant NPC.
Peasant Template
Cost Ability 2 AK: Local Area 11- 2 CuK: Country Customs 11- 2 PS: [choice] Husbandry 11- 1 WF: Polearms and Spears Notes: or Staffs (Quarterstaff) 6 6 points' worth of Skills from the following list: Notes: PS: Peasant Craft, PS: Trapper, Survival, Streetwise, Tracking Total Cost Of Package Abilities: 13 Complications Value Complication 5 Hunted: Shire Officials And Guards Infrequently (Mo Pow; NCI; Limited Geographical Area; Watching) 10 Psychological Complication: Dislike/Disdain/Hatred Of Officials And Nobles (Common; Moderate) Total Cost Of Package Complications: 15
Peasant Template Hero Designer File
WILD MAN
A ‘wild man’ has been living either on his own or in a very primitive society for some time. He has little to no use for civilization, towns, lords, and their laws. Certain Environmental Templates, such as Forest, Hill, Or Mountain, may help further define the character.
Wild Man Template
Cost Ability 4 Swift Of Foot: Running +4m (16m total) 1 Notes: or Swimming +4m 8 +1 with HTH Combat 2 AK: Local Area 11- 2 KS: [choice of desired wilderness type] 11- 3 Stealth 11- 3 Survival 11- Notes: or Tracking 1 WF: Bows Notes: Or Thrown Knives, Axes, Darts 1 WF: Polearms and Spears Notes: Or Quarterstaff 3 3 points' of Skill and Powers from the following list Notes: +1 with all PER Rolls, Climbing, Paramedics Total Cost Of Package Abilities: 27 Complications Value Complication 10 Distinctive Features: "Wild Man" (Concealable) 10 Hunted: Local Forest And Shire Officials Infrequently (Mo Pow; Limited Geographical Area; Harshly Punish) 15 Psychological Complication: Dislikes Crowds And Towns (Common; Strong) Total Cost Of Package Complications: 35
Wild Man Template Hero Designer File
Return to HERO System Source Material