You were once a pirate to be feared, but through some means or other you got out of that life. Perhaps you faked your own death, or received an official pardon for your past crimes. Perhaps you settled into the life of a seafaring merchant, or a riverboat captain, plying your skills in a more legitimate fashion. Perhaps you became a Privateer for a nation, or maybe just settled into a lower risk criminal occupation, such as smuggling. One thing you know; it's hard to ignore the sweet siren song of the seas.
- Skill Proficiencies: A sharp eye, is worthless without the understanding of what you see, and the knowledge of how to survive it. You are proficient in Insight and Survival.
- Tool Proficiencies: You've spent most of your life on the waves, you've a knack of knowing where to go, and the skills to get there in one piece. You are proficient with the Navigator's Tools, and Vehicles (Water).
- Languages: On your travels you may have picked up words or phrases in various different languages, but not enough to communicate properly. You gain no languages from this background, however at your Dungeon Master's discretion, you might be able to understand the gist of what's being said at you. You can probably tell when you're being insulted, or if someone's trying to start a fight. You may know how to order drinks in a foreign bar, but little more than that.
- Equipment: Out of habit you carry maps and the tools you need to navigate them, not to mention an appropriate set of clothes. In addition to your other starting equipment, you gain the navigator's tools, a map case containing a map of the region's waterways, and a seafarer's outfit.
Though your recent actions tell the tale of a man trying to be better, your eyes still betray your dark past. Whether they realise it or not, people are somewhat intimidated by your stare, and are less likely to start trouble unprovoked. You can use this to your advantage to prevent confrontations before they start. Roll Intimidate with advantage to avoid confrontations from escalating.
Suggested Characteristics
These are a selection of short statements to help craft a character, however I actively encourage you to create your own.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | A crew is only as strong as it's weakest mate. |
| 2 | I'd rather take a sword and not need it, than need one and not have it. |
| 3 | There are those that'd think about a battle, and those that'd win it. |
| 4 | I go where the wind blows. To go against it, is to go against man's nature. |
| 5 | I've known many men, and trusted very few. |
| 6 | A man's pride and dignity are worth far more than the gold he'd get for betraying them. |
| 7 | I'm slow to anger, but slower to cool. |
| 8 | No matter the danger, no matter my fear, I'll not let my men see, lest they fear themselves. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | I'm doing what I can to make amends for my past misgivings. (Good) |
| 2 | I've no intention of hurting people anymore, but I'll still follow the path that suits my need best. (Neutral) |
| 3 | These days there's more money to be made above the law than beneath it, doesn't mean I don't get to hurt people. (Evil) |
| 4 | I was reformed, and now I'll reform others. (Lawful) |
| 5 | The Law pardonned me, but I'll always put my personal code first. (Chaotic) |
| 6 | I have felt the power of fear, now I seek the power of adulation. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | When I got out of the life, I left someone very important to me behind. |
| 2 | I made a deal in my past life, and even though I've left that life behind; my debt is still held over me. |
| 3 | I stashed a horde of treasure, and I keep its location a tightly guarded secret. |
| 4 | I still sail on my old ship, though it's appearance may have changed. People may not react well to it. |
| 5 | You can take the man out of the Sea, but you can't take the Sea out of the man. I feel landsick if I'm away from the water for too long. |
| 6 | I'm haunted by ghosts of my past. I seek to rid myself of this torment. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sometimes my old personality comes out and I commit heinous acts. |
| 2 | Often my greed still gets the better than me. |
| 3 | I philandered before, and I shall philander still! |
| 4 | My acceptable risk threshold has been set so high for so long; I often fail to recognise the danger until it's too late, dragging my companions into it. |
| 5 | I've seen so much violent death in my time. I often appear cold and lacking in empathy. |
| 6 | Though I've moved on in my life, I can't help but boast about my past deeds, often at inappropriate times. |
Contacts
You've plenty of contacts amongst the seafarers of the world, both above and below the law. You can tell who's in port based on the ships round the docks and piers, and which ones to go to for which services you seek, or even those to avoid due to bad reputations. You may have contacts that work for large merchant companies, or naval powers, who can grant you access to insider information, or premises, for the right price. Discuss these with your Dungeon Master. It might be a good idea to come up with a handful of named contacts that fit into your backstory, for the DM to use in play.
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