Racketeer

You present yourself as a person who operates an honest enterprise for financial gain. In reality to make a profit you often employ coercion and other illegal methods to engage in illicit pursuits. The risks can be great, but the rewards frequently are too.

Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, Persuasion, and Stealth

Tool Proficiencies: Choose either Forgery Kit or Thieves' Tools

Languages:  Choose one from Common, Dwarvish, Elvish, Giant, Gnomish, Goblin, Halfling, Orc, or Undercommon

Equipment: Either a forgery kit or a set of thieves' tools, a merchant's scale, a set of fine clothes, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Racketeers seem like legitimate business people on the surface, and many have an abundance of endearing characteristics. However, usually they are villains through and through. Interestingly, unlike the majority of criminals, racketeers often maintain the code "honor among thieves" and the worst violation is being a "snitch" by informing on other criminals.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I hope for the best, but always plan for the worst.
2	Emotions are for controlling other people. You should never let them rule your own decisions.
3	I cherish friendship, I adore gold, I aspire to power, but I value loyalty above all else.
4	I prefer to acquire another "business associate" than make a new rival.
5	Trust must be earned. You live longer by maintaining a cautious, even skeptical attitude until it is.
6	I constantly evaluate risk versus reward. Even gambling with your life can be acceptable if the benefit is great enough.
7	Pride goes before the fall. Being overconfident leads to mistakes and failure.
8	Insults I can ignore, but if you break a deal with me, you best book passage to another continent.

d6	Ideal
1	Extend respect to others in the “business” and never steal from them. Those outside of it are fair game. (Lawful)
2	The only authority you recognize is your own. Better to live by your rules than anyone else’s. (Chaotic)
3	Wealth should be acquired from those who can afford it. Never take from those who cannot. (Good)
4	Do what it takes to make a profit regardless of who is hurts. (Evil)
5	Be true to your family, friends, and associates. Everyone else is either an opportunity or an obstacle. (Neutral)
6	Revenge is not always pretty but it is the most satisfying form of justice. (Neutral)

d6	Bond
1	I am working to settle accounts with a patron to whom I am indebted.
2	My personal profit goes to help my family.
3	I plan on regaining something stolen from me... by any means possible.
4	My allegiance belongs to my organization, my family, my fortune, and my friends. In that order.
5	I was unfaithful to my organization and seek to atone for the act.
6	Someone I cared for perished because of my error. I will not allow it to occur again.

d6	Flaw
1	You say "unrelenting ambition” like it’s a bad thing.
2	I sometimes allow personal profit cloud my decisions when it comes to acting with honor.
3	I am great at making plans, but poor at executing them.
4	I think I am good at lying, but I’m not.
5	I’m quick to forget about others and save myself if things go sour.
6	A guiltless person is imprisoned because something I did. That works for me.