Although you had a family, you were largely ignored by them.  As the adopted / unwanted child when you were not toiling away working for them you were left to your own devices.  You largely fed yourself either by with the scraps the family allowed you to have or begging and your clothing you ‘found’ through various means.  The places you slept tended to be barns, stables, a warm corner by the hearth, but you don’t know a bed and in the summer’s, weather permitting you slept outdoors. 

What money you have has been secreted and hidden away for years.  Not much, but enough for a modest life for at least 10 days.  What motivated you to break free of your circumstances and embark on a better life?

 

Skill Proficiencies: Sleight of Hand, Deception (from stealing / lying about food and possessions)

Tool Proficiencies: A Musical Instrument, Tools Set that fits your back story

Equipment: A small knife, a blanket for warmth which you have kept for most of your life, a small trinket you acquired from your home, a childhood toy which you made, a set of Travelers clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Unwanted Orphans / Foundlings are shaped by lives of poverty, for good and for ill. They tend to be driven either by a commitment to the people or friends with those of similar circumstances or a overwhelming desire to find something better - they may want to take revenge on those who saw them as a source of labor or simply want to get away and seek a new life. 

d8	Personality Trait
1	I hide scraps of food and trinkets away in my pockets.
2	I ask a lot of questions.
3	I like to squeeze into small places where no one else can get to me.
4	I sleep with my back to a wall or tree, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms.
5	I eat like a pig and have bad manners.
6	I am suspicious of everyone I don't know, and even many of those I do
7	I don't mind bathing, I just don't do it often
8	I bluntly say what other people are hinting at or hiding.

d6	Ideal
1	Respect. All people, rich or poor, deserve respect. (Good)
2	Community. We have to take care of each other, because no one else is going to do it. (Lawful)
3	Change. The low are lifted up, and the high and mighty are brought down. Change is the nature of things. (Chaotic)
4	Retribution. The rich need to be shown what life and death are like in the gutters. (Evil)
5	People. I help the people who help me — that’s what keeps us alive. (Neutral)
6	Aspiration. I’m going to prove that I’m worthy of a better life.

d6	Bond
1	My town or city is my home, and I’ll fight to defend it.
2	I sponsor an orphanage to keep others from enduring what I was forced to endure.
3	I owe my survival to another who taught me how to survive.
4	I owe a debt I can never repay to the person who took pity on me.
5	I escaped my life of poverty by robbing an important person, and I’m wanted for it.
6	No one else should have to endure the hardships I’ve been through.

d6	Flaw
1	If I’m outnumbered, I will run away from a fight.
2	Gold seems like a lot of money to me, and I’ll do just about anything for more of it.
3	I will never fully trust anyone other than myself.
4	I’d rather kill someone in their sleep than fight fair.
5	It’s not stealing if I need it more than someone else.
6	People who can’t take care of themselves get what they deserve.