You were born into a noble family. Whether high up the ranks or barely titled, you were raised with all that one might expect. However either by virtue of one parent being non-noble or perhaps your appearance, or a disagreement relating to the family business, morality or otherwise, you flocked to the streets, back alleys, docks, anywhere you had to to get away. You made friends among the peasantry and the urchins, befriending even criminals who showed you a different side of the same gold piece.
- Skill Proficiencies: Deception, StealthPersuasionPerformance
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, thieves’ tools
- Languages: Discuss with your DM about which you can pick, but you can choose up to two languages from the list, or one language and a knowledge of Thieves’ Cant.
- Equipment: A crowbar, a set of dark common clothes including a hood, and a pouch containing 15 gp, fancy clothing, a signet ring and a letter of nobility bearing your family’s coat of arms.
There are many kinds of criminals, and within a thieves’ guild or similar criminal organization, individual members have particular specialties. Even criminals who operate outside of such organizations have strong preferences for certain kinds of crimes over others. Choose the role you played in your criminal life, or roll on the table below.
| d8 | Criminal Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Blackmailer |
| 2 | Burglar |
| 3 | Enforcer |
| 4 | Fence |
| 5 | Highway robber |
| 6 | Hired killer |
| 7 | Pickpocket |
| 8 | Smuggler |
You were born a noble, but for one reason or another opted to spend your time among the urchins and peasantry. You have made friends with people who don’t always uphold the law, whether for profit or survival, and have endeared yourself to them. You have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as your liaison to a network of other criminals.
Two sides to every gold piece, much like you can blend in with nobility and be granted an audience among other nobles wherever you go, you also know just who to talk to to get the real scoop, and how best to entice someone into talking.
Suggested Characteristics
Your family may have been comprised of secrets and crimes aplenty, or from a noble family of upstanding members of society. Whichever noble house you were born into, you found a life of your own in the seedier parts of town with the impoverished folks living in the slums.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong. |
| 2 | I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me. |
| 3 | The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuable—or where such things could be hidden. |
| 4 | I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy. |
| 5 | I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. |
| 6 | I don’t pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. |
| 7 | The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can’t do it. |
| 8 | I blow up at the slightest insult. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Honor. I don’t steal from others in the trade. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Charity. I steal from the wealthy so that I can help people in need. (Good) |
| 4 | Greed. I will do whatever it takes to become wealthy. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. I’m loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I care. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Redemption. There’s a spark of good in everyone. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor. |
| 2 | My ill-gotten gains go to support my family. |
| 3 | Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back. |
| 4 | I will become the greatest thief that ever lived. |
| 5 | I’m guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it. |
| 6 | Someone I loved died because of a mistake I made. That will never happen again. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | When I see something valuable, I can’t think about anything but how to steal it. |
| 2 | When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money. |
| 3 | If there’s a plan, I’ll forget it. If I don’t forget it, I’ll ignore it. |
| 4 | I have a “tell” that reveals when I’m lying. |
| 5 | I turn tail and run when things look bad. |
| 6 | An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. I’m okay with that. |
Your upbringing has assured you the services of a family retainer (discuss with DM as to specific details) who, while not following you into danger, will await your commands. Your retainer will buy and sell things at your request, prepare meals, set camp for you and deliver letters.
Your knowledge of the shady corners has made you an ally (discuss with DM for details and also if this is a friend or more.) this ally will also not follow into danger and neither can be harmed or take action in combat. This ally can act as an appraiser/fence for stolen goods, pass messages to people and give news, rumors and information.
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