Scroll of Pedigree

A scroll of pedigree proves a character's noble lineage.

It is one of the starting items for characters with the Noble Background and is non-magical. It may be presented to other nobility and royalty and may include the character's family tree.

Similar to how purebred dogs have pedigree papers to prove they are purebred. Though I wouldn't make that comparison in front of a noble. Especially an armed one.

Other starting items for the Noble background include a Signet Ring, a set of fine clothes, and a purse with 25 gp.

Weight: 1 lb.

Cost: 50 gp. But their creation is tightly controlled by the Heraldry Guild.

Noble Backstory Ideas involving a Scroll of Pedigree:

1. The Forged Lineage:    Your PC’s family Scroll of Pedigree was forged generations ago to elevate their status from commoners to nobles. Recently, a rival house has discovered evidence of this forgery and is threatening to expose your family unless you meet their demands. To protect your family’s honor and maintain your status, you must find a way to eliminate this threat—either by destroying the evidence, discrediting the rival house, or uncovering a deeper secret that could turn the tables.

2. The Lost Lineage:    Your PC grew up as an orphan with no knowledge of their true heritage until a mysterious benefactor delivered an ancient Scroll of Pedigree revealing your noble bloodline. The scroll details your connection to a long-lost royal house that was overthrown. Now, you must navigate the complex world of nobility, reclaim your birthright, and restore your family’s honor, all while avoiding the enemies who were responsible for your family's downfall.

3. The Cursed Scroll:    Your family’s Scroll of Pedigree is said to be cursed, bringing misfortune to anyone who possesses it. Despite the rumors, your parents kept the scroll, and your family suffered numerous tragedies. Upon inheriting the scroll, you decided to investigate its origins and the truth behind the curse. Your journey leads you through dark and forgotten corners of history, confronting ancient magic and powerful enemies who seek to keep the curse intact for their own gain.

4. The Hidden Secret:    Your PC’s Scroll of Pedigree contains a hidden message or code that hints at a buried secret within the family—perhaps the location of a hidden vault, a forgotten artifact, or the true reason behind a historic feud. Unraveling this mystery becomes your obsession, but it also draws unwanted attention from those who wish to keep the secret buried. As you decipher the clues, you uncover shocking truths that could change the course of your family’s legacy and the political landscape of the realm.

5. The Inherited Rivalry:    Your family’s Scroll of Pedigree records an ancient rivalry with another noble house, a feud that has persisted through the generations. The scroll contains details of historic battles, betrayals, and alliances, each entry fueling the enmity between the houses. As the latest heir, you must navigate this inherited animosity, choosing either to continue the feud or seek a way to end it. Along the way, you uncover hidden motivations and secrets that challenge everything you thought you knew about your family and their rivals.
   

How to create a Scroll of Pedigree:

1. Find a Coat of Arms Generator
   1. Create a Blazon and Family Motto
   2. Create a Coat-of-Arms image
2. Create a Noble Family Name
3. Create a family tree of your ancestors using a drawing app.
4. Create a tree of, say, 5 generations, including your character at the bottom
5. Use the coat-of-arms generator to give yourself a coat-of-arms.
6. Give your ancestors coats-of-arms:
   1. Your father, his father, etc. should have the same one as you.
   2. Use the coat-of-arms generator to give your mother a coat-of-arms
   3. Give her father, her grandfather, etc. the same coat-of-arms
   4. Repeat for every female ancestor in your tree, starting from the generation closest to yours and working your way up the tree.