Guardian

A **guardian** is a warrior tasked with protecting a summoner during their pilgrimage across Ozuma to defeat Penance and bring the Rest. Most summoners travel with one or two guardians.

Guardians are the only individuals allowed to accompany a summoner into a Chamber of the Fayth. If anyone else does so, the summoner may face sanctions as strong as excommunication from Yevon, even if they did so without the summoner's knowledge or consent.

## Story

The concept of a summoner's guardian is based on the first summoner to defeat Penance, Tashasca, who was protected by her husband, Lord Zayon. After the formation of the church of Yevon summoners being protected by a guardian as per Tashasca and Zayon's example was adopted as doctrine.

## Known guardians

* Zayon - guardian to his wife, Tashasca.
* Jecht - guardian to Braska.
* Auron - guardian to his friend, Braska
* Maroda - guardian to his brother, Isaaru.
* Pacce - guardian to his brother, Isaaru.
* Shia - guardian to his lover, Dona.
* Ancho - guardian to Tasha.
* Lash - guardian to Tasha.
* Lyraesel - guardian to Tasha.
* Shel - guardian to Tasha.

## Player Background

Guardian is also a viable option for a team member's background when creating a player character. This option can either be used simply for character inspiration or for access to the associated features and proficiencies.

In the past, you were once a guardian for another summoner who set out on their own pilgrimage to defeat Penance. This person may have been a family member, a close friend from your hometown, or a former bandersnatch teammate. You acted as their defender and swore to shield their life from harm while assisting them on their journey - after all, the code of the guardian is, in brief, to "protect the summoner, even at the cost of one's life." You yourself are not necessarily a strictly devout follower of Yevon, though many guardians are; what matters is that you promised to safeguard the Yevonite summoner.

When you became a guardian for this summoner is up to you. In the overwhelming majority of cases, a guardian travels with the summoner from the very beginning of their journey. However, it is possible that you joined the summoner at a later point in their travels. Perhaps you came to their aid in a moment of dangerous combat during their pilgrimage when their life was threatened. Perhaps you saw the summoner call upon one of their aeons and chose to pledge yourself to their service.

For whatever reason, unfortunately your summoner was not able to complete their journey with you. Remember that pilgrimages are dangerous - only five summoners in the last thousand years have successfully gained the Final Aeon and defeated Penance. The end of your summoner's journey is up to you. Perhaps the summoner faced such hardship on the pilgrimage that they became cynical about the possibility of defeating Penance and gave up. Perhaps you were unable to protect the summoner in combat and they perished at the hands of some fiend. Perhaps the summoner dismissed you from their service following an argument and you do not know their exact fate.

***Skill Proficiencies***: Arcana, Religion

***Tool Proficiencies***: One artisan's tools set your choice

***Languages***: One of your choice

***Equipment***: The set of artisan's tools you have proficiency with, a memorial token from your prior pilgrimage, a deck of cards, a set of traveler's clothes, and a pouch containing 200 gil

### Feature: Guardian's Duty

While you were a guardian, you once commanded respect and admiration from the people of Ozuma. Even though your former pilgrimage is over, some may still recognize you as a protector of the realm and a symbol of hope. When interacting with common folk in Ozuma, you can expect them to provide you with basic necessities such as food, drink, and shelter. People may also assist you in minor ways, as long as your actions align with their common interests.

Functioning temples on the continent will still offer you a bed for a single night's rest. The last temple you visited with your previous summoner can even offer you and your companions a free meal.

### Suggested Characteristics

Guardians tend to have an abundance of endearing characteristics. Still, each has unique personalities and motivations. Feel free to modify or expand upon these suggestions to suit your character.

 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8

 2
 3
 4
 5
 6

 2
 3
 4
 5
 6

 2
 3
 4
 5
 6