Outlier

You were never like the others as you grew up. While they all followed the traditional roles of your community you were drawn to ideas and pastimes that were seen as unusual, inappropriate and even heretical! It wasn't easy and it meant that you had to find friendship and companionship amongst the other marginalised members of society. Eventually though, as is sometimes the way with the extraordinary individuals in a group, your peers came to see a worth in you and your skillset. While you will never be "one of the gang" you are at least able to live and practice amongst your own people, almost unmolested. Of course, there are always those who will see you as alien and a threat to the "normal way of life" that your people tend to follow.

As to your training and skills, those you acquired through the care and guidance of a mentor.  They, like you, were different from the crowd and they saw in you a kindred spirit.  They took you under their wing and have passed on their knowledge, curiosity, skills and possibly even some possessions.  You fell a strong emotional attachment to this individual (that does not necessarily mean an exclusively positive attachment, but they are certainly the most significant influence on your formative years).

You have had to learn how to survive in an almost constantly hostile environment, with threats ranging from mean-spirited taunting to full-on bullying, hurtful discrimination and actual bodily harm.  This has made you a keen student of your peers' moods and behaviours and has meant that you have honed your "fight or flight" responses; in short, you can read the room, handle yourself in a scuffle and get out of trouble if you need to.

Skill Proficiencies: Insight, plus your choice of one from among Deception, Perception, and Persuasion

Languages: Two of your choice

Equipment: The [Tooltip Not Found] of your people (though yours are slightly unfashionable ), a writing kit (small pouch with a quill, ink, folded parchment, and a small penknife), a lucky [Tooltip Not Found] given to you by your mentor, and a pouch containing 10 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Use the tables for the sage background below as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to suit your identity as an outlier.

Your bond is almost certainly associated either with the place where you grew up or with the acceptance you hope to acquire through adventuring. Your ideal is no doubt related to how you view the quest for personal freedom and genuine friendship.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I try not to draw undue attention to myself.
2	I keep myself physically unthreatening by stooping and hunching and remaining on the periphery of any group.
3	I notice others who are feeling awkward and would like to think that i would try to make them feel more at ease.
4	I seek out peace and quiet in social situations.
5	I can ignore meanness and cruelty directed to to others to a point, but if I think it has become bullying something inside me snaps.
6	Sometimes, when it is important that I communicate clearly, I start to mumble and stumble over my words.
7	If someone starts to bully me I freeze up.
8	I desperately want friendship but find it hard to believe that someone would want to offer that unconditionally.

d6	Ideal
1	Opportunist. Be all things to all people, there is no real loyalty. (Neutral)
2	Trust. Somewhere out there is someone who will understand you on the deepest level, give the people you meet a chance to be that someone. (Good)
3	Rules. If you stick to the rules everything will be okay. (Lawful)
4	Injustice. Do what you want because there is no point trying to do the "right" thing, no one will notice. (Chaotic)
5	Deceit. Honesty might be the best policy but lies and manipulation will keep you safe from the world around you. (Evil)
6	Minimize. Keep your head down, don't take risks, just get through the day. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	I owe everything to my mentor.
2	My lucky charm gives me an edge, it makes me stronger; I'll do anything to keep it safe.
3	There is one place, one place in the whole world, that I feel safe and secure in. I'll defend that place with my life.
4	Many years ago there was another who showed me kindness and intimacy. Now I travel the world looking for that person.
5	My best friend, the only one who really got me, was taken from me by another. I will track that villain down and get my revenge.
6	I gave away a valuable heirloom once, in an attempt to gain acceptance. It didn't work, I was still ridiculed and then ignored. I need to get that heirloom back.

d6	Flaw
1	I freeze up if anyone shows me any kind of attention.
2	I can become obsessed with others; I then spend all my energy trying to watch them, listen to them and get close to them but not be noticed by them!
3	I'll betray, sell-out and let down anyone if I think it will get me the affection from the person I am currently infatuated with.
4	I can lose myself for hours, days, even weeks when I become interested in something new.
5	I can be hurtful with my words when I am actually trying to be kind.
6	I am compelled to keep my feelings hidden; I'll say the opposite of what I am feeling rather than be honest about my emotions.