You are a commoner with incredible strength. As far back as you can remember, you've always been strong. Whether you grew up in a thriving city or a sleepy village, you were the go-to person for muscle in your community. You might have used this power to eke out an honest living, or to take what you wanted from the weak.
When you choose this background, work with your DM to determine who your previous employer was. Were they an organization, or a powerful individual? Did they work within the law, or outside of it? How long did you work for them, and how much did they trust you? Maybe there's still a place in their ranks if this adventuring thing doesn't work out.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose 2 from Athletics, Perception, Intimidation, and Survival
- Equipment: A keepsake from your childhood (a cat's-eye marble, wooden block, straw doll, etc.), a leather belt with notches representing brawls won, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
As a hired goon, you had an ongoing gig specific to your great strength. Roll a d6 or choose from the options in the table below to determine your role.
| d6 | Hired Muscle |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bodyguard |
| 2 | Enforcer |
| 3 | Bouncer |
| 4 | Henchman |
| 5 | Interrogator |
| 6 | Fixer |
Right or wrong, many people you meet draw uncharitable conclusions about your intellect. After all, people like you are hired for your raw strength, not your soft skills. You can use this to your advantage by feigning apathy or stupidity around foes, guards, or even bystanders to listen in on them after they drop their guard. You can also secure the trust of other hirelings, who see shared experiences in you.
Suggested Characteristics
Brutes are expected to withstand a lot of punishment, both physical and mental. Even the dimmest among them often carry grudges and cynicism as they make their way in the world, and it is not uncommon for these suppressed emotions to manifest in destructive ways, both outward and inward.
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I might not know my letters, but I know when I'm being insulted. |
| 2 | I like working with people who are smarter than me, especially when they use funny long words. |
| 3 | I might not look it, but I'm good at keeping my temper. |
| 4 | Some folks think I'm a fool when they meet me. That's their first mistake. |
| 5 | If you tell me to harm a child, your days are numbered. |
| 6 | When all else fails, I start swinging. |
| d5 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Loyalty. If you can't keep your promises, then what good are you? (Lawful) |
| 2 | Courage. If I have to take a stand when nobody else has the guts, I'll do it. (Good) |
| 3 | Caution. I'm just trying to get by, man. (Neutral) |
| 4 | Ambition. One day, it'll be MY name they use to scare naughty children. (Evil) |
| 5 | Independence. Jobs come and go. What's important is that I can choose 'em. (Chaotic) |
| d5 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a friend back home who got me my first job. Someday I'll return the favor. |
| 2 | My family's out there somewhere. I hope they miss me. |
| 3 | My last boss wants me dead, and I don't know why. I can never go home as long as they're alive. |
| 4 | As long as I have this toy from my childhood, I can sleep easy. |
| 5 | I wish I knew the name of the man who taught me how to throw a punch. He saved my life. |
| d4 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I can never drown out the memory of my first kill when I drink, but that doesn't stop me from trying. |
| 2 | I can hold a grudge against somebody over something as small as an insult for years. |
| 3 | I've never had a good experience with anyone from a certain race, and I probably never will. |
| 4 | I'm as gullible as a babe in arms. |
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