Errant

   Description: The Errant is an independent warrior who roams the countryside searching for adventure and offering his assistance to any good beings in need. Though he technically owes fealty to a government or church, he has few, if any, formal obligations. His superiors have granted him an indefinite leave of absence to pursue his own interests and make his own way.

   An Errant may be granted independence because his government no longer has a need for a standing army, or because his church elders have encouraged him to explore the world outside their jurisdiction and report what he discovers. Most often, however, governments and churches grant independence for economic reasons. An Errant assumes responsibility for his own equipment and funds, freeing official treasuries for more pressing expenditures.

   Requirements: Standard.

   Ministration: Although he may have pledged fealty to a government or a church, an Errant essentially functions as an independent fighter.

   Role: An Errant is often amiable, cooperative, and eager to ally himself with any party or individual of lawful good intention. His destiny, he believes, is with the gods, and he readily agrees to undertake all good missions that come his way, providing they promise adventure and don't compromise his principles.

   Between adventures, an Errant is preoccupied with earning a living. Tournaments provide the best opportunities for income. Because an Errant doesn't depend on government or church sponsorship, he can keep his winnings for training (aside from his tithe).

   When tournaments are scarce, an Errant may work as a mercenary for any lawful good government or church. The Errant receives no benefits from this arrangement, other than those specified in his contract. A typical contract includes the following terms:

• Length of service. This is often defined in quarter-year periods. Typically, an Errant serves no less than six months, and no more than a year. The Errant pledges temporary fealty to his employer during this time; all obligations to the employer end when the contract expires.

• Salary. An Errant is usually paid every quarter-year period, with the first period's payment made in advance. He usually earns 30-50 gp per period, depending on his experience, reputation, and special skills. Without the backing of a government or church, an Errant commands less of a salary than other mercenary paladins (see Chapter 8).

• Theater of operations. An Errant is not required to fight for his employer outside of a specified area.

• Financial obligations. An Errant furnishes all of his own equipment and assumes responsibility for his own food and supplies. The employer arranges transportation to and from the battlefield if the Errant has no mount of his own. An Errant is not allowed to use a loaned mount in battle, unless he agrees in advance to make restitution in case the mount is wounded or killed.

• Division of spoils. All hostages, weapons, land, and other spoils of war claimed by the Errant become the property of the employer. A benevolent employer may give the Errant a monetary bonus for such spoils, though the employer is under no obligation to do so.

• Loaning of services. While under contract, the employer may loan the services of an Errant to another lawful good liege, a church, or an adventuring party. The employer claims 50% of all treasure or salary obtained by the loaned Errant (because the Errant must also tithe from this money, he forfeits a total of 60% of his income).

   Symbol: An Errant displays the same symbol as his church or government, or he can design a unique, personal one. Personal symbols might include his initials, a profile of a favorite animal, or a numeral (the age a parent died, the number of siblings in his family, or the day of his birth).

   Secondary Skills: Farmer, Fisher, Groom, Hunter, Trapper/Furrier.

   Weapon Proficiencies: Bonus: The Errant receives a free specialization in the jousting lance. Required: Sword (any).

   Nonweapon Proficiencies: Bonus: Jousting*. Recommended: Animal Handling, Bowyer/Fletcher, Endurance, Etiquette, Fire-building, Fishing, Hunting, Mountaineering, Riding (Airborne and Land-based), Survival.

   Armor/Equipment: At the outset of his career, an Errant receives only 25-100 (5d4¥5) gp. In addition to his weapons, armor, and mount, an Errant must also buy a jousting lance or a lance cup (see Chapter 6) as soon as possible.

   Bonded Mount: Any.

   Special Benefits:

   Usually, an Errant continues to follow the laws of his government and the tenets of his faith. However, his superiors rarely issue any direct edicts, allowing the Errant to choose his own allies, go where he pleases, and make his own decisions. He seldom has to fight wars, attend state functions, or train novice warriors.

   An Errant's superiors expect him to make reports of his activities once a year or so, but this requirement is flexible. An Errant may miss his report date by several months before his superiors consider penalizing him, and even then, the penalty may be suspended if the Errant offers a reasonable excuse.

   Special Hindrances:

   Although an Errant has few of the responsibilities of fealty, neither does he have any of the advantages. He must be totally self-supporting, supplying his own mounts, weapons, shelter, and clothing. He can't count on his church or government for emergency funds, nor can he ask for bodyguards or troops. For a stronghold, he must acquire land through conquest or purchase, as grants, charters, and benefices aren't available.

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