Nomad

"Nomad" is a term for a member of any itinerant culture; that is, a cultural group which lacks any geographic claim. Nomad cultures typically spawn from a region or nation undergoing some great hardship, forcing a mass exodus. Due to the nature of their lifestyle, most nomad cultures are temporary, lasting only until they find new lands to settle in. However, some groups are doomed to wander endlessly, forever outsiders, a vagrant culture. Given enough time, nomad cultures will slowly lose their own history as their oral tradition distorts with each generation, and their own culture becomes distinct and independent as they absorb elements of other cultures and write their own myths. Because they are often an offshoot of older traditions, many nomad cultures may have values which seem quaint, antiquated, or archaic, even to contemporary folk of their source culture. Because they are foreigners everywhere they go, nomads are often the target of ignorance and fear, characterized as a culture of thieves, barbarians, devil worshipers, and other such nonsense by the uneducated and xenophobic. Even well-educated folk may express such prejudice toward nomads to achieve their own agendas, such as using them as scapegoats, building nationalist attitudes, finding a new source of slave labor, or justifying unfair taxation and laws. All of this forces nomads to lead a hard life, always travelling, and always faced with ignorance and prejudice wherever they arrive. With each passing generation, their culture becomes more unique, and their chances of ever reaching their destination slowly disappear.

What was it like living on the road? What was your caravan like? Do your people remember where they came from? How long have your people been on the road? How were you raised? Why did you leave the caravan? What do you think of other nomad cultures? What do you think of settled folk? How far have you traveled, and what strange sights have you seen? How did your people sustain themselves? Have you ever faced prejudice or ignorance? Have you ever been forced to do immoral or unethical things just to survive? Does your caravan still exist out there somewhere?

 

Skill Proficiencies: Performance, Survival, Sleight of Hand

Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, Forgery kit, A musical instrument of your choice

Languages: One exotic language

Equipment: A bedroll, a set of travelers clothes, a blanket, an ink pen and vial of ink, a journal of your previous travels, a trinket from your travels, a disguise kit, a deck of cards, and a belt pouch containing 15 gold

Suggested Characteristics

Nomads have plenty of reasons to adventure between the experiences to be had, treasures to be found, and stories to be woven. Most gypsies find themselves right at home or even leading an adventuring party simply because, in a way, a party is just a small caravan. Gypsies are natural travelers, native only to the caravans they live in, and why they exist as vagabonds has long been lost to history. Stories say they are exiles, searching for a new home, while others believe they are a culture birthed purely among merchants and explorers. When a ***** is asked why the don't settle down and establish roots, the question is often answered with a chuckle, shrugged shoulders, and an expression of indifference, often followed by stories of their travels.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I quickly pick up on local accents and begin imitating them almost immediately
2	I don't take situations seriously and have no sense of responsibility.
3	I spend a lot of my time practicing my instrument, dance, or tale-telling.
4	I often over-exaggerate my past or dance around the subject.
5	I feel more comfortable outside than inside.
6	I deliberately draw attention to myself in social gatherings.
7	Nobody stays angry at me or around me for long, since I can defuse any amount of tension.
8	I take life way too seriously and have problems relaxing.

d6	Ideal
1	I can't bring myself to save another who I don't believe would return the favor.
2	Envy I envy people who have the easy life and wish ill fortune on them. (Evil)
3	Diplomatic I know and strive to comply with the laws and customs of the places I visit. (Lawful)
4	Joy I revel in the life of a nomad and the freedom it brings. (Chaotic)
5	Love Love is within and without; music, wine, a lover. Love knows no boundaries. (Any)
6	Distrustful I tend to be wary of anyone who is not a nomad. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	When a family member or friend is in need, I am there.
2	Life is song, a dance, a story, and a play. Letting these things fade is a crime.
3	Wanderlust is in my blood and in my bones. I will not remain in one place for more than a full moon cycle.
4	Being an artful dodger means having to pack up and move in a moment's notice. Ah, the life of a nomad!
5	My instrument is precious to me and a part of me. I protect it at all costs.
6	Letting a love go is unspeakable sadness. Like a drunkard to ale, I will find it again!

d6	Flaw
1	I like to explore, and my curiosity will sometimes get me into trouble.
2	I can't be trusted with valuables and will often sell what I don't need.
3	My curiosity often gets the better of me.
4	I more than likely see it as "it's too good to be true" when given a hand out.
5	I am a sucker for the underdog, and always bet on the losing team.
6	My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone I love.