This is the fourth article in this feature series.

In article one I discussed the concept of Personality Styles as a partial replacement for Backgrounds, mechanically.

In article two I gave you the first set of Personality Styles (Subversive, Sneaky, Noble, Charming, and Diplomatic).

And part three gave you the second set of Personality Styles (Self-Sacrificing, Righteous, Solemn, Impulsive, Whimsical, Bold, and Restless).

In this installment of the series I am going to give you five more personality styles: Aggressive, Savage, Stalwart, Professional, and Grim.

People have been asking for examples of the various personality styles, and I think that’s a great idea. It’s also a relatively complex idea and something that I’m just not prepared to do right now. Coming up with some would be easy enough, coming up with a list for all of them that would be common enough for people to recognize, that’s more difficult. So what I’d love is if you give me your examples in the comments! And maybe when the whole set of this series is finished I can do a follow up article that includes examples from you guys and of my own. Anyway, without further ado, your new Personality Styles…

Aggressive

It’s your way or the high way and no one had best get between you and your goal.

Benefit: Once per day as a free action you can shift 2 squares.

Role-Playing: You are driven and occasionally make mistakes because of this drive. You’re more likely to use Intimidate than Diplomacy and more likely to be a fighter rushing into a fight than a warlock sitting back and picking your targets carefully. Once you’ve made up your mind don’t change it easily. That’s not to say be a jerk at the game table though, unless it’s the major reason for your PCs existence take some time to make that mind up and let yourself be influenced by others for a few minutes. But eventually the talk and planning needs to end and it’s time to move forward. Now if you made up your mind and the party is against you that doesn’t mean you have to always be a stubborn donkey about it, maybe you just grumble and grouse it about because ultimately you made up your mind a long time ago to work with the people in your party…

Savage

You easily succumb to the animal nature of all living creatures and embrace it in all things you do in life.

Benefit: Once per day you can re-roll a damage roll, you must take the new roll.

Role-Playing: You are, in many ways, a simple person. You may not have a singular driving goal, but you are a quick to identify your enemies and take them down quickly. You often rush head first into trouble and rely on your ability to take down an enemy quickly. You may chafe in social situations, dealing with people who you can’t hit with your attacks is not generally your style. You are all about survival and you survive by hurting them before they can hurt you.

Stalwart

You are steadfast and loyal. Nothing can sway you. Some call it stubborn, but you know that you’re really just driven to support those you’ve dedicated yourself to.

Benefit: Once per day you can negate forced movement that targets you.

Role-Playing: You never back down from supporting your cause. Be it a deity, party, lord, realm, or combination thereof. When making choices for the stalwart character consider the fierce, unmoving loyalty you feel towards these things. When in a fight choose actions that help support others. When in a social situation be supportive of the group. Although sometimes doing what’s best for the group might mean doing something against their wishes, this is not normally the case.

Professional

You have a job to do and very little can stop you from doing it.

Benefit: Once per day you can take a +2 on a Monster Knowledge or Lore check.

Role-Playing: You’re all about the task at hand. Be it a quest, a monster hunt, a bounty to collect, a rescue to perform, or a world to save. You sign on to a job and you see it done. Period. And you’re good at it. You pride yourself on being prepared for whatever might come up and are no-nonsense when it comes to getting things done. You might unwind and have a good time between jobs, but once the next quest begins, it’s back to business.

Grim

You’ve seen enough death and violence in your life that you have a hard time not taking every moment of life seriously.

Benefit: Once per day yourself or an ally you can see can re-roll a death save, the new roll must be taken

Role-Playing: You never loosen up. You’re serious, brooding, and often a pessimist. Sure, you may not have died yet (or maybe you have, who knows) but it’s only a matter of time and you know it. You don’t shy away from those dangerous situations, however. You’re not a coward, be it from a sense of duty, hopelessness, or sheer determination, you do what needs to be done and you’re not afraid of the risks when doing it because so far as you’re concerned you’re going to die, everyone is going to die, and there’s nothing you can do about it, so you might as well accomplish something in the meantime. In combat you do what you need to do and take little care for the danger it might put you in. In social situations you are dour and often keep to yourself. Or when you do talk it’s usually to growl some depressing premonition of doom.