You have always had a way with people. You know what makes them tick, you can tease out their hearts' desires after a few minutes of conversation, and with a few questions you can read them like an open book. You know what people want and (perhaps more importantly) you know who best fills the bill.
Matchmakers take all manner of forms and are not always predatory charlatans. You may be a headhunter that specializes in recruitment, or a hopeless romantic that believes true love is out there for everyone. Whether you seek to sell your talent for connection or make useful friends in all manner of places, you tend to agree that it isn't what you know that matters, but who you know.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Deception, Insight, Perception, Performance, Persuasion, or Sleight of Hand
- Languages: Choose two from among Dwarvish, Elvish, Gnomish, Goblin, Halfling, Orc, or Undercommon
- Equipment: A book, ink, an ink pen, a set of clothes (common or traveler's), and 10 gp.
You've met with more people than most folk do in their entire lifespan, and you wouldn't be faulted for not remembering every single thing about each of them. The ones you know best have a reason for that distinction. You can roll on the following table to determine who they might be, or choose one that best suits your character.
| d12 | Key Contacts |
|---|---|
| 1 | A smithy |
| 2 | A chef |
| 3 | A librarian |
| 4 | A farmer |
| 5 | A law enforcer |
| 6 | A religious practitioner |
| 7 | A merchant |
| 8 | A transportation service or stable owner |
| 9 | A musician |
| 10 | A smuggler |
| 11 | A hunter |
| 12 | A midwife |
Though the identities you encounter are a mixture of true and false, at least one of your former clientele has a favor you can exploit. Work with your GM to determine this person's resources and relationship to you. Your favor might earn you a place to stay the night, a tip on events that are scheduled to take place, or a meeting with someone that your contact knows.
Suggested Characteristics
Matchmakers are meant to be a broad spectrum of possibilities and not simply "the charalatan's good variant." Feel free to utilize the suggested characteristics from any background or make your own.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I can find common ground between any two individuals, mending bonds that have already been made. |
| 2 | I've enjoyed the finer things in life and find it hard to tolerate even above average goods. |
| 3 | I fall in love easily and continually pursue new partners. |
| 4 | Flattery is in my blood. There is no act to drop. |
| 5 | The first thing I do in a new place is introduce myself. The second is identifying with whom else to make introductions. |
| 6 | I'm a hopeless romantic, always searching for my "soul mate." |
| 7 | I judge people by their actions, not their words. |
| 8 | My favor, once lost, is lost forever. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Friendship. Material goods come and go. Bonds of friendship last forever. (Good) |
| 2 | People. I'm loyal to my friends, not to any ideals. (Neutral) |
| 3 | Prosperity. When I make the right connections, I help people or organizations grow. (Good) |
| 4 | Greed. I'm only in it for the money, power, or influence. (Evil) |
| 5 | Community. Connections are the bloodstream that ensure the health of civilization. (Lawful) |
| 6 | Freedom. Everyone should be free to pursue their own happiness. (Chaotic) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | Somewhere out there, I have a child who doesn't know me. I'm making the world better for them. |
| 2 | I owe my network a great debt for getting me to the position I have today. |
| 3 | I pursue wealth to secure someone's love. |
| 4 | My house's alliance with another family must be maintained at all costs. |
| 5 | I work to recruit members to a cause or organization. |
| 6 | My town or city is my home, and I'll work to expand it. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely. |
| 2 | I'm always in debt. I exchange favors for luxuries faster than I earn or return them. |
| 3 | I would do anything for connections to people more powerful than me. |
| 4 | When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I am not immune to bribery. |
| 5 | I have a weakness for vices or some other secret that makes me susceptible to blackmail. |
| 6 | I have an insatiable desire for carnal pleasures. |
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