You were a traveling merchant, and your two-wheeled cart and the mule or ox that pulled it amounted to everything you owned in the world.  You traded in linens and wools, in spices and dry goods, in fresh produce and preserved vegetables and smoked meats, rope by the foot and thread by the spool, farm tools and weapons, ores and metal ingots, and in nails and rag dolls.  You bought when the price was low, and sold them later on when there was a profit to be made, and you were always on the move because time spent in one place cost you profits.  You carried posts and packages, and you always had the latest news even if it was a few months old in the telling of it.

The smaller villages always looked forward to your arrival, and the rural farms would stop their work to make sure you felt welcome to stop by.  You avoided major roadways and instead traveled backways and rural paths just large enough for your small cart to travel.  You did this because you felt beholden to the rural communities and farms that had no other way of trading.  The brigands and thieves left you alone, for everyone knew it was bad luck to mess with a tinker.  Besides, you never had a lot of coin, since few of your customers had coin to pay you with.  Besides, you never met anyone you did not like.

Skill Proficiencies: You are proficient in handling work animals, especially those who might pull a cart such as the one you owned.  You know a bit of medicine, a bit of showmanship, and even a smidge of history and religion.

Tool Proficiencies: You can choose one of the following:  Brewer's Tools, Tinker's Tools, Cobbler's Tools, or Weaver's Tools.  You also know enough about playing a simple musical instrument of your choice, though not well enough that you'd ever be asked to play for the queen.  You can play a simple game of cards, and you know enough about herbs to cure the simple ailments that afflict the common folk.

Languages: As a Tinker, you needed to learn enough languages to work with anyone you met, but usually only enough to get by on.  You are well versed and can read, write and speak common.  You now enough of one other common language to communicate well enough.  You can choose other languages that you might be able to be understood and sell your goods, but not enough to write out poetry or compose a song.

Equipment: You own a two-wheeled cart, a donkey to pull it, and 300gp in common goods.  You also have a short sword, which you are proficient with, as well as a light crossbow.  You have a coin purse with 25gp in it.

Suggested Characteristics

You are loud and boisterous, but always good natured and jovial.  You know how to get along with people, for people have always been your trade.  You are always on the lookout for a good deal, and you know it when you find one.  You enjoy the lesser folk of the realm, the honest farmer and townsfolk of the small villages that seldom carry a name beyond its township.  In spite of all this, however,  you are learned and well-traveled, and you recognize culture when you see it.

d6	Personality Trait
1	I cannot pass up a good bargain and will have a hard time turning one down, even for things I have no need for at the moment.
2	I have a proverb or bit of wisdom to share for any situation. I am excited to pass on something I've learned to make someone else's life just a bit better.
3	I appreciate well crafted goods, and I am quick to point out ways in which someone can improve on what they own and use. I cannot stand to allow others to use lesser quality.
4	I don’t part with my money easily and will haggle tirelessly to get the best deal possible.
5	The common folk love me for my kindness and generosity, and I always have a sweet in my pocket for the children.
6	I take great pains to always look my best and follow the latest fashions.

d6	Ideal
1	I care about the little people, those common folk who get overlooked by those of importance and money.
2	Community. It is the duty of all civilized people to strengthen the bonds of community and the security of civilization, regardless of nation or race.
3	Generosity. Sometimes I give more than my share to those in need, but despite the loss of coin, charity is my greatest profit.
4	People. I’m committed to the people I care about, not to ideals.
5	Aspiration. I work hard to be the best there is at my craft.
6	Freedom. The way of the road, to sleep beneath open skies, to eat and dance when and where I want. These I value most.

d6	Bond
1	Those who work hard and without pause, just to make a coin or two at the end of a season, these are the reason I do what I do.
2	Customer satisfaction is my motto, and I'll move heaven and earth to ensure it.
3	Money is not the most important treasure. Instead, I crave the treasure of friends, of companions, of a fellowship of those who are closer to me than family.
4	I am in love with the heir of a family that my position in life will never allow me to have.
5	The common folk must see me as a hero of the people.
6	I’m guilty of a terrible crime in one of the cities. I chose the life I have to escape, and to hide, and to hopefully one day redeem myself.

d6	Flaw
1	I find it difficult to tell the truth, even if its a simple lie, or an embellishment on a story.
2	I will occasionally make a bad deal, hoping that it might lead to something greater later on.
3	I sometimes can't tell right from wrong. Especially if the outcome will better the life of the common man or woman.
4	I will often talk to my donkey as if it is speaking back to me. Too much time on the road, but I forget when among other people.
5	I often don't take heart when someone is angry with me, for they will surely come to their senses eventually.
6	I often forget that others must live their own lives. I find it my duty to help, even when help is unasked for and unwanted.