You grew up along the border of two kingdoms frequently at war. You've witnessed horrific warfare, survived the devastation brought on by contending armies, and forged a fiercely independent culture of your own. The uncertainty of existence along the border has forced your people to rely on their own strength and cunning, instead of loyalty to a distant often feeble monarch, unable to enforce the rule of law. Even in times of peace tensions remain high, you know that a raid from a rival border family could come at anytime. 

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, plus one from among Animal Handling, Perception, and Survival.

Tool Proficiencies: One type of musical instrument.

Languages: One of your choice.

Equipment: A woven sash denoting your tribe, clan, or family, a flask of alcohol, a dagger with a unique hilt (deer horn, dragon tooth, boar tusk, etc), a set of traveler's clothes, and a pouch containing 10gp.

Suggested Characteristics

The attitude of the kingdoms toward the border families alternates from indulgence and even encouragement, as these fierce families serve as the first line of defense against invasion across the border, to draconian and indiscriminate punishment when their lawlessness becomes intolerable to royal authorities. The ties of tribe, clan, and family, are the most important bonds to most border families.

Use the tables for the criminal, soldier, or a mix of both backgrounds as the basis for your border reiver's traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to suit your identity as a border reiver.