It was your mother’s or perhaps father’s charming smile and self-assurance that allowed them to separate many a victim, known as the mark, from their coin. They were a natural in the art of the con. They learned at an early age that acting with complete confidence and seducing people with the lure of riches is, for them, a much easier and less violent way to steal money. They spent years upon years honing their skills both in deception and sleight of hand. 

You were likely a surprise and not one they were at all ready for. Being a parent had never really been in the cards for them, but almost suddenly you were there anyway. And yet, your arrival did nothing to curb their deceitful way of life. Their narcissistic personality wouldn’t dare allow a child to derail their goals in life. Simply, you were dragged along for the ride. You grew up in the most unconventional ways. You learned many skills from your smooth-talking and sticky-fingered parent, but those weren’t exactly the things a child needed to learn from their parent. 

Instead, you pretty much learned how to raise yourself in the most important ways. All the while you were shuffled around from one strange life to another. Some days you lived like the highest of nobles while others you were barely scraping by in a run down tavern where you parent somehow managed to sweet-talk their way into a free room. It was inconsistent at best, but in the end you learned perhaps the most valuable trait of all: adaptability.  

Skill Proficiencies: Choose two among Deception, Insight, Perception, Performance, Persuasion, and Sleight of Hand.

Tool Proficiencies: Disguise Kit

Languages: A language of your choice (one that you learned during one of your parent’s long cons)

Equipment:

A set of fine clothes, a disguise kit, a cherished trinket, and a pouch containing 15 gp.

Suggested Characteristics

As the child of someone who mastered the art of the long con and often roped you into their schemes, you are adaptable and know how to change on the flip of a silver piece. You can be flamboyant and openly dramatic or reserved and relaxed depending on what the situation calls for. You are fairly confident in yourself and how you interact with others. You spent years learning just exactly how and why they tick and you’re more than able to put it to some good use.  

d8	Personality Trait
1	I am very passionate about fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves.
2	I can easily strike up idle conversation with anyone about anything.
3	I am an amazing listener and am always willing to lend a shoulder to cry on.
4	I am very resourceful when it comes to fending for myself.
5	I can instinctually grasp the mood of a situation very quickly and adapt based on those instincts.
6	I am very creative and tend to think outside of the box for solutions.
7	I prefer to try and use communication to resolve a conflict, only resorting to violence if absolutely necessary.
8	I am at my best during a crisis and when people need my help.

d6	Ideal
1	Aspiration. I'm determined to make something of myself. (Any)
2	Avarice. Money makes the world go round and I want as much as I can get. (Evil)
3	Curiosity. I wish to see all the strange things the world has to offer. (Chaotic)
4	Devotion. I am loyal almost to a fault toward those I care about. (Good)
5	Honor. There is a code amongst grifters and thieves. (Lawful)
6	Necessity. I don’t want to take advantage of people, but I will do what I have to to survive. (Neutral)

d6	Bond
1	I am forever trying to achieve the approval and pride of my parent(s).
2	I witnessed something horrible, but couldn’t reveal the truth or else risk incriminating myself as well.
3	I owe a debt to someone who saved me from the consequences of a grift gone wrong.
4	My parent conned the wrong person and now we both are being hunted.
5	I sold my parent out to the authorities because their con almost hurt someone gravely.
6	Those rare few who I consider close to me are the things I treasure most.

d6	Flaw
1	I often become disconnected from my own needs due to putting the needs of others first.
2	I tend to place unnecessary blame on myself for anything that goes wrong.
3	I soak in people’s emotions like a sponge, both positive and negative, which can leave me feeling drained quite a lot.
4	I can be overly sensitive when feeling rejected or abandoned by others.
5	I abhor asking for help. It makes me feel like I am useless and a burden.
6	The truth can be painful to deal with, so I lie and tell myself that things are okay when they’re far from it.