The best thing about blood money is that it spends just as readily as any other kind of money
Some fight to slake bloodlust. Others fight for the thrill of besting an enemy. Some fight for a code, a faith, or an ideal. But a true pragmatist fights only for coin, understanding that battle is a means to an end and not an end in itself. A fighter in an Acquisitions Incorporated campaign often fights for money above all else, whether focusing on a primary role as a combat specialist or providing martial backup for the franchise as needs be.
Whether your intention is to end a target’s threat or simply deliver a message (violently or otherwise), those around you can take comfort in knowing that when you take on a job, the job gets done. When your franchise loses its direction or collective nerve, you stand tall with the power of your convictions and an even more powerful assortment of weapons to keep things on track. If that sometimes inspires a need to crack some rival skulls, that’s just the way of war. And if those skulls sometimes turn out to belong to people on your own side of the ledger, well, that’s just business.
You are anything but reckless, however, recognizing the effort that goes into doing a job right. Berserkers flailing about the battlefield and challenging all comers have a certain amount of flamboyance, sure. But you can’t spend the coin you’ve been promised for a job if the job leaves you dead.
No combat tactic is too down-and-dirty when your life and the welfare of your franchise are on the line. Smart fighters use any means necessary to gain the edge in battle, whether those tricks were learned from a long-gone drill instructor, first used by an opponent against you, or an original tactic perfected by long hours of training.
| d6 | Trick |
|---|---|
| 1 | You are an expert at pretending you’ve been injured to the point where you can’t possibly go on. By goading foes to finish you off, you keep your allies safe as you reveal how much fight you still have in you. |
| 2 | You always keep a small pouch of salt or sand at your belt. If you can blind an opponent, even momentarily, you can usually end a fight quickly. |
| 3 | You fight with your off hand at the start of a battle, so that your opponent sets their defenses and attacks to one side. Then you quickly switch hands at the most opportune moment, making your foe wonder what other tricks you might play. |
| 4 | Swearing, name-calling, political satire — you do it all. You make use of a range of down-and-dirty fighting epithets that would make an ogre barbarian blush. |
| 5 | You constantly converse with your opponents during the battle, doing whatever you can to distract them or get in to their heads. It’s surprising how many combatants enter a fight not knowing whether their boots have come untied. |
| 6 | You have a belt pouch specially made to release ball bearings or caltrops in the thick of the fight, forcing your enemies to avoid those hazards while fending off your blows. |
It might seem ridiculous to say that your weapon, armor, or shield is your best friend and most stalwart companion — but you’ll take that risk. lf you had to choose between entering a battle without your favorite combat gear or without the party’s bard, Singy McLuteface can sit this one out. You and your equipment have got this.
Your piece of signature equipment is more than a tool that has never let you down. It lets others know who you are on the battlefield. Even when your features are obscured by the blood of the fallen, the dust of a well-trodden arena, or the fog of war, allies and enemies alike take notice when you stalk the battlefield.
| d12 | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 1 | Handcrafted arrows whose heads bear the mark of a lightning bolt, and which give a distinctive whistle when fired |
| 2 | A shield made from the shell of a giant turtle |
| 3 | A matching shortsword and dagger, decorated to look like the uppe r and lower jaws of a carnivorous dinosaur |
| 4 | A battleaxe with its head shaped like the flowing hair of a dwarf warrior |
| 5 | A suit of armor made from the discarded chitin of giant arthropods |
| 6 | A pair of boots fashioned to look like the paws of a large feline |
| 7 | A sword whose pommel is shaped in the form of a hand, so that you shake the hand when you wield it |
| 8 | A hammer forged to resemble a giant’s fist on one side and a dragon’s head on the other |
| 9 | A helmet shaped like the head of a hare, with tiny diamonds for eyes |
| 10 | A bow carved with images of the phases of the moon |
| 11 | A dagger with a handle made of bone, etched with worn and unreadable runes |
| 12 | A backpack made from the leather and fur of a skunk |
When the battle is done, enemies and allies alike stare in awe at the sight of your personal ritual of celebration.
| d12 | Celebration |
|---|---|
| 1 | A finely honed, well-choreographed dance |
| 2 | Ale! And then more ale! |
| 3 | Seizing a trophy from a vanquished foe |
| 4 | Composing a poem extolling your valiant combat prowess |
| 5 | Adding a commemorative square to your battle quilt |
| 6 | Adding a decorative stencil to your favorite weapon or armor |
| 7 | Paying the town crier to proclaim your victory |
| 8 | Commissioning a painting of the battle |
| 9 | Praising surviving enemies for a job well done, no hard feelings |
| 10 | There is no time to celebrate, for your war is eternal! |
To the uninitiated, fighters are the simpletons of the adventuring world, railing away with their weapons while taking repeated blows to the head. But those folk know precious little about the spec ialties and subtleties of this class. Many flavors of fighter exist in the world, and all can fit into an Acquisitions Incorporated franchise in their own way.
Those elves really know how to bring the hurt from a distance, don’t they? Fortunately for the arrow-slinging world, they were willing to share their arcane archery knowledge with friends, and now every Acq Inc franchise can have its very own magical cannon! As an arcane archer, you’re incredibly useful during those tense discussions when someone needs to be able to whistle, and then moments later, arrows appear out of nowhere to stick out of the ground between the feet of the people they’re talking to. Roll that next check to negotiate with advantage!
As a battle master involved with an Acquisitions Incorporated franchise, you understand that your maneuvers might not do as much damage as the focused attacks of a less subtle fighter. But the needs of a franchise often ca ll for subtlety and precision over simply busting heads. Add in your knowledge of the more cerebral aspects of combat, including all-important insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy. and it’s clear why you make a great addition to any franchise.
An Acquisitions Incorporated franchise is a heady mix of adventuring and business, and both those pursuits require travel. Who better to lead a long road journey than an experienced cavalier with a reliable mount? As a cavalier, you’re one of the best warriors around for protecting less hardy allies, even off your mount, making you a mobile fighter, a team player, and a valiant protector.
Accepting the wisdom of the old adage «Sometimes less is more» is an excellent way to go broke. Because less is less, obviously, just look at the balance sheet. But there’s one exception to that nonrule that can make a big difference in the successful operation of a franchise — the focused, no-frills approach to combat of the champion fighter. As a champion, you quickly master your role within your franchise, because that role is simple. Lift heavy things. Stand in front of monsters. Hit them till they drop.
Fighter? Wizard? Why not both?! If a franchise’s recruiting efforts result in a party lacking either fighting or magical ability — or, Tymora forbid, both — you make a great addition to the team as an eldritch knight. Your focus on abjuration and evocation ensures that your fighting style is supported by magic that can either defend allies or deal massive damage to your foes. And if your franchise operation runs true to form, you’ll have plenty of opportunity for both.
Even if samurai are rare in the lands where Acquisitions Incorporated offers franchise opportunities, their fighting spirit makes them invaluable additions to any franchise — especially if that spirit encompasses the fight for profits. As a samurai, your impressive combat skills are matched by your social grace and wisdom, providing a boon to your franchise’s standing in the community. Any franchise could do worse than having you as its public face — especially when your sense of quiet resolve is needed to quietly resolve some unexpected business disaster.