There are so many reasons that your character might choose to hang up their sword. Reflect on their journey so far, from their humble beginnings, the inciting moment that drove them towards adventure, the perilous quests and deadly fights, and the moments of calm with party members, allies, and loved ones. The road to retirement may have been a slow burn, but for others, the path away from adventure becomes evident after an important moment. Whatever the case may be, it is important to articulate to the other players and the GM why you are deciding to retire your character from the party. You can find common reasons to hang up your sword in the *What Made You Retire?* table. Whatever the case may be, you should always inform the players and GM about this meaningful decision and prepare them for this change of dynamics. | 1d12 | Reason | | ---- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | A severe or long-term injury forces you to rest for an extended period of time. | | 2 | The desire to see your family and friends becomes too powerful to resist any longer. | | 3 | You no longer need to adventure because you’ve completed what you set out to do. | | 4 | You begin to want more out of life than the open road and constant danger. | | 5 | You see one too many friends killed and can’t carry the weight of their deaths. | | 6 | You want to teach others what you know so they don’t make the same mistakes. | | 7 | You are getting older and questioning the legacy you are leaving the world. | | 8 | You had a job before all of this and want to get back to it. | | 9 | You take one life too many and decide to rededicate yourself to something more peaceful. | | 10 | You decide to improve the world by settling down in one small part. | | 11 | It hadn’t occurred to you that you could give up this lifestyle until you saw an ally do it. | | 12 | You want the safety and security of your own warm home and a welcoming community. | Work with your GM to tie their decision to leave into the ongoing story. Perhaps they undertake one last quest that allows them to shine, setting them up for the rest of their life with the rewards, or they carve out the time to share a farewell with each party member. This allows you to explore the emotional consequences of their decision and reinforces their connections to the party.