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Character Ideas
This section offers basic ideas and guides to your character
to help you fit them in the world of the Crusades. For a
more detailed character builder, see the Character Builder
section in Era of the Crusades.
Choose your race
As in the core rulebooks, you should decide which race
you’d like to play first. It has an impact on some of the
decisions you have to make ahead.
Human
If you choose to play as a human, you don’t need extra
effort to adapt your appearance, as you have nothing to
hide. However, if you have some arcane features regarding
your body due to your class, background that is magical
or arcane in nature, you must take some precautions to
hide them as it may arouse many questions.
Non-Human
If you choose to play as a non-human race, think about
the sections on how to keep your arcane features a secret
from the superstitious, hateful, and ignorant eyes of the
locals. See Running a Story in the Crusades in the Era of
the Crusades to see how you might hide out amongst the
humans. Naturally, some races will need to go to greater
lengths than others to hide their true nature.
Where did you come from?
Take some time to consider this question. Jerusalem is a
place where people from different civilizations all across
the world meet. Though it doesn’t have to define you, the
place you come from is still important in understanding
how you fit into this rich tapestry and decide your place in
the world through roleplaying and character development.
1) I am from Kingdom of Jerusalem
You can be a local of the Kingdom of Jerusalem or be born
in the city itself. You can be a knight, squire, farmer, trader,
priest, acolyte, sage or a person with a whole other profession
or interest. You are on your journey to return to the city. It is
where you live after all – it can be the reason for the beginning
of the adventure. You know the customs, laws, culture, habits
The Sigil of Jerusalem Adventure Hooks 11
and other aspects about the city. You probably know who’s in
charge, which lord does what, and which knightly order helps
out the poor and similar core information regarding the city.
The GM may feed you needed information in the right places
without an ability check.
2) I am from Europe
You are from Europe, possibly and not limited to Berlin,
Vienna, Toledo, Paris, Warsaw, Belgrad, Copenhagen,
Brussels, Stockholm, London, Venice, Rome, Florence.
You came here for a cause. It can be for pilgrimage,
joining the crusade or a whole other reason. You still share
a bond with the locals and nobles in Jerusalem. There is a
good chance you have the same faith and speak the same
languages or at least you are familiar with the languages
spoken in the Holy Lands and probably know the general
customs and traditions of the kingdom.
3) I am from Ayyubid Dynasty
You can be from Cairo, Alexandria, Damascus, Aleppo
or a similar city or countryside controlled by the Ayyubid
Dynasty, thus from the areas called Egypt or Syria. You
can be a local Muslim or an Eastern Christian, or even
one of the descendents of the Ptolemaic Dynasty or
local Egyptians of old. You are familiar with the area,
as Jerusalem is surrounded by the Ayyubid forces and
Saladin’s army is closing in. You are aware of the general
customs, law and people in the city and know some
important figures by name.
4) I am from other Muslim countries
You can be from Isfahan, Baghdad, Tashkent, Ghazne,
Anatolia or other Muslim-controlled places. You may have
originated from the remnants of the Great Seljuk Empire as
they face their last years or come from Anatolia, the very
heart of the Sultanate of Rum, another country controlled
by the Seljuk Dynasty. You are familiar with Muslim laws
and customs but probably don’t know the specifics about
the Holy Lands and especially about Jerusalem. You may
bring special trade goods, interesting items, weapons and
other things after consulting with your GM.
5) I am from Byzantine Empire or other
Christian realms
You are from Constantinaple, Macedonia, Silistre,
Thessaloniki, Kiev, Moscow, Thracia or a similar
Christian-ruled realm. You can be considered as an ally
of the Crusaders depending on your worldviews or you
could be an Eastern Orthodox that has an enmity towards
the Roman Catholics. You probably know Greek, Russian,
Armenian or other proper language and do not share the
tongue with the locals. You can bring special items from
your realms with the discretion of the GM. You can be
greeted as a friend or an interesting traveler but the locals
most likely heard about your realm and will be interested
in what you brought. In general, you are a stranger to
these lands and you do not know local laws, customs and
traditions and only heard them in legends.
6) I am from distant lands
You can be from Nanjing, Xi’an, Lhasa, Delhi, Ferghana,
Ordu Baliq, Otugen, Mali, Kyoto, Kilwa. You are most
likely considered a stranger among these lands, and you
probably only know of myths, legends and childhood
tales of the holy cities of the Levant. Though people from
all over the world are commonplace in the markets and
caravanserai of the region, people are more likely to be
curious of you and want to raise a glass of ale with you
and hear your story. Alternatively, some may be suspicious
of you and act hostile towards you.
If the GM allows you, you may bring interesting weapons,
items, armor, tools or exotic goods with you.
Jerusalem Hooks
This section offers ideas about your characters’ motive for
entering Jerusalem. There can be just one motive or many
at once depending on the character’s backstory. Work
with your GM to establish the details.
Business Reason
You are trying to reach Jerusalem in a matter related to
your occupation, profession or interest.
D8 BUSINESS REASONS
1
In Jerusalem lies your chance to settle a crippling
trade debt. Protecting the caravan and succeeding
in the city's cutthroat markets is your only hope to
avoid financial ruin and a life of servitude.
2
You are sent as envoys to negotiate with King
Baldwin IV, but the real task is to repay a massive
debt to the crown, incurred by your homeland. If you
fail, your local government faces severe diplomatic
and economic repercussions…
3
You are an ambitious merchant seeking to establish
new trade routes in Jerusalem. Your goal is to secure
lucrative contracts with local suppliers, navigate
complex market dynamics, and outmaneuver rival
traders to build a profitable trade empire.
4
As a skilled architect, you travel to Jerusalem to
study its famed architectural marvels. Your objective
is to gain inspiration and knowledge to apply to a
significant construction project back home, requiring
you to engage with local architects, scholars, and
builders to exchange ideas and techniques.
5
You are a savvy banker tasked with establishing
a branch in Jerusalem. This requires negotiating
with local authorities for permits, understanding
the economic landscape, and building a network
of clients. Your success could bridge financial gaps
between diverse communities and create new
opportunities for trade and investment.
6
You are a collector and trader of rare manuscripts,
and Jerusalem's libraries and monasteries hold the
promise of undiscovered literary treasures.
7
It is rumored that there are many good blacksmiths
forging incredibly good quality metal armor and
weapons. You may need it for your own business and
your recent unsuccessful attempts at rebuilding your
business endeavors puts you in a dire position.
8
You recently failed at a job and you hear that the
city needs many hands from many occupations that
could be put to good use. Especially for a person like
yourself: an adventurer.

Personal Reasons
Your reason to reach Jerusalem is based on personal reasons. It holds a significance for you on a personal level.
D8 PERSONAL REASONS
1 You must journey to Jerusalem on a sacred pilgrimage, not just for devotion, but to settle a debt owed to a powerful religious
order. Failing to fulfill this holy mission could bring divine wrath upon you and your loved ones...
2 Your quest for ancient knowledge leads you to Jerusalem, driven not just by curiosity, but to repay a debt of honor to a
legendary scholar. Failure to uncover the sought-after secrets could tarnish your mentor's legacy forever.
3 Seeking a healer in Jerusalem serves as your cover to spy on a secretive medicinal guild for a rival faction. As you search for
the cure, you must also discreetly gather information on the guild's practices and alliances.
4 A dear mentor who once dreamt of a pilgrimage to Jerusalem has passed away in Baghdad. Honoring their last wish, you are
here to complete their journey, facing both emotional and physical trials along the sacred path.
5 You flee to Jerusalem not for sanctuary, but to seek retribution against someone who betrayed you in the past. As you
navigate the city's labyrinthine streets, you know this vendetta will end in death – yours or theirs.
6 A dear friend, now passed, always dreamed of visiting Jerusalem but could never make the journey. Carrying their diary filled
with notes and sketches of the city, you embark on this journey to fulfill their dream, experiencing the city through their eyes.
7 A loved one of yours or someone dear to you in a way you choose, came to Jerusalem some time ago, possibly to join the Holy War.
You are in search of them.
8 You have a calling in your heart. It lies in Jerusalem and you know it’s a holy duty. You must join this holy war as a Crusader or
as a Saracen.
D6 OTHER IDEAS
1 A mysterious seer has prophesied that your destiny lies within the ancient walls of Jerusalem.
2 In your family's old heirlooms, you discover a cryptic scroll hinting at a long-lost family treasure hidden somewhere in
Jerusalem.
3
You're a renowned artist who experienced a vivid dream of a unique, undiscovered artifact in Jerusalem. Believing it to be the
inspiration for your masterpiece, you travel to the city, intent on finding this artifact and unveiling its hidden beauty through
your art.
4 Once a noble of Jerusalem, you were unjustly exiled. Hearing rumors of political shifts, you return, determined to reclaim your
honor and position.
5
As a musician, you're haunted by a fragment of a melody you once overheard, said to originate from an ancient instrument in
Jerusalem. Believing that completing this melody is key to your greatest composition, you embark on a quest to uncover the
musical secret.
6 An ancient astrological event predicted only once in a millennium is set to occur, visible perfectly from Jerusalem. As an
astronomer, you cannot miss this celestial event, believing it holds the key to understanding the cosmos.

CLASS BACKSTORY/CLASS IDEAS
Barbarian Seeking to prove your strength and earn the respect of your tribe, you've heard of a legendary warrior in Jerusalem known
for their unparalleled combat skills. You journey there to challenge them and gain glory through a test of might.
Bard A famous bard has composed an epic poem said to reveal a hidden truth about Jerusalem's history. Intrigued and
inspired, you travel to the city to uncover the story behind the poem and compose your own masterpiece.
Cleric A divine vision has called you to Jerusalem, where an ancient relic of your deity is said to be hidden. Your mission is to
find and protect this sacred object, facing both spiritual and physical trials on your holy quest.
Druid
Your very connection to the wilds calls you to a city for the first time. When you commune with nature, you feel the
corrupted branches and roots of a dark tree trying to embrace Jerusalem and drown it to the dark lands that resemble
a dreadful swamp.
Fighter You are looking for seasonal warriors that can train you or you are looking for formidable warriors that can test your
might and prowess. You are sure to find one in Jerusalem, the victorious army that defeated Saladin years ago.
Monk
Your spiritual connection to the cosmos has recently been crippled. You now seek a way to reforge it and your inner Ki
guides you to the city of Jerusalem. Your masters and mentors all agree that something dark and dangerous lurks under
it and it is worthy of investigating.
Paladin You are a holy warrior and Jerusalem, the holiest city, is where you belong. Deus vult!
Ranger As a ranger, you journey to Jerusalem to track a rare, mythical eagle rumored to nest atop the city's ancient walls,
seeking to understand its mysterious connection to the city's history and the natural world.
Rogue You are looking for a mysterious person last seen in Jerusalem. Someone offered an entrance to an important black
market in exchange.
Sorcerer Your arcane research has led you to Jerusalem, where a convergence of magical ley lines is rumored to occur. Seeking to
tap into this immense power, you journey to the city to unlock new magical abilities and secrets.
Warlock
Through your patron, you feel a sense of dread and a calling from the cosmos itself that stimulates the ancient fear
that resides inside you. The very heart of Jerusalem is infested with the horror that strangles your soul and you must
discover what lies there.
Wizard An ancient library in Jerusalem holds a spellbook containing unique and powerful spells. As a wizard, you seek this
book to expand your magical repertoire and delve deeper into the arcane arts.
Conflicting Characters
The Holy Lands are in the middle of turmoil and there are
two main sides: Kingdom of Jerusalem (The Crusaders) and
the Ayyubid Dynasty of Syria and Egypt (The Saracens).
The players are free to choose who they are, there are no
restrictions (unless you, as a GM, force some restrictions
on them, this is going to be your story after all). All that is
expected from the players for them to have a strong reason
to travel to Jerusalem.
As the player characters are free to choose, there can
be many different characters with different and even
opposing backgrounds. For example, one character could
be a Mamluk-trained-fighter and a loyal soldier to Sultan
Saladin, leader of the Saracens, while the other could be
a proud and strong Crusader (a Paladin) who is extremely
loyal to King Baldwin. From a distance, these characters
seem to clash from the beginning and could turn enemies
very quickly. In Sigil of Jerusalem, this is not the case.
There are several reasons that can be explored before the
beginning of the campaign:
F There is truce between Baldwin and Saladin. It is a
fragile peace but some Muslim entries to the Crusader
cities are allowed.
F The story’s main plot is about an eldritch horror
that lies beneath the city of Jerusalem rather than the
enmity between the two clashing countries.
F The characters’ backgrounds can be tied to stop the
enmities between them.
F The story’s first important moment will tie the
characters nonetheless to a tied cause. So, at the
beginning of the story, some tension between them
can be explored and that could turn out to be a great
companionship.