Little Bird

You are the eyes and ears within a court. You hear the quietest whispers on courtier's lips. You see the moments nobles thought went unnoticed. Unseen and unheard, you sit on the windowsill collecting the seeds of intrigue to sing songs into your master's ears. But such is the life of a little bird.

Skill Proficiencies: Stealth; Deception or Insight; Sleight of Hand, Investigation, or Perception.

 

Tool Proficiencies: A Disguise Kit, Thieves' Tools, or Poisoner's Kit.

Languages: One language of choice (from the courts you were in)

Equipment: A Disguise Kit, Thieves' Tools, or Poisoner's Kit; a Mirror, Steel, a small notebook, a set of dark common clothes including a hood, and a set of unremarkable fine clothes.

Suggested Characteristics

As a little bird, you can flit in and out of different social situations to gather intel for your master. You have a natural talent for being unnoticed, allowing you to hear secrets and witness happenings without drawing suspicion. With practice, you can evade the eyes of other spiders or birds, and can even become trusted individuals of your master's rivals.

Information is not your only trade. While you're most skilled at your ability to listen, your master may give you other tasks. Maybe they will have you leave a little note for a particular someone to find, or perhaps they will ask you to make an important trinket to become lost. They may even suggest you add a drop of "flavouring" into the wine. A little bird is not without its talons or beak.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong.
2	I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me.
3	I have a habit of listening in on the conversations of others.
4	I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy.
5	I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide.
6	I change my attitude and personality to blend in with the people around me.
7	I am uncomfortable in open spaces, where I'm too exposed.
8	I always scan the escape routes of every building I enter.

d6	Ideal
1	Contract: The information is bound to the person who hires me, no one else may see it. (Lawful)
2	The Game: If this came out to the public... That noble would be done for... That one too... Oh what fun! (Chaotic)
3	Self: The information is good, coming out alive better, the coin I'll get from this, totally worth it. (Neutral)
4	Exposure: The evils of the world must be exposed. (Good)
5	Blackmail: Ooh, isn't this a dirty secret...? Shame if it fell into the wrong hands: mine. (Evil)
6	They say knowledge is power, and I intend to be the most powerful in the room. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	I fell in love with someone I was spying on.
2	One of my friends was hanged for treason. My helplessness to aid them still haunts me today.
3	I have secrets that I've uncovered that should never see the light of day.
4	A good person was ruined with information I gathered on him. I am trying to atone.
5	A servant in a castle saw me spying on her lord. I fled and hope I will never have to see her face again.
6	I sung songs for my master once. Now, I sing from no one.

d6	Flaw
1	I have no problem with betraying people who trust me.
2	Some people want to kill me to make sure I never tell a secret they'd rather have untold.
3	I've worn so many disguises, I've lost sight of who I truly am.
4	I never share secrets with anyone.
5	I don't save people who can't save themselves. A little bird must ensure they aren't eaten by a snake or a spider.
6	I never forget an insult, and I bide my time for revenge.

Contacts

You will have a master you report to (or reported to). That may be a spymaster, faction leader, an investigator, etc. That individual may, instead, assign you to a handler. If so, all of your whispers are heard by that individual and taken to the next ear to hear. In some circumstances, you may know another little bird or two who are intended to assist you on particular missions or assignments. 

d3	Contact
1	Master
2	Handler
3	Accompliance

d3	Non-contact
1	A burned contact
2	A spider competing for your master's attention
3	Someone who learned your name