You embody morality of the common folk in conflict with the self-interest and inequity of the state. Most often Chaotic Good, heroic outlaws live by a code of conduct that favors the weak and downtrodden, and opposes those of nobility and privilege. Vigilantes, rebels, and anarchists: heroic outlaws favor their own versions of "the greater good" and will act heedless to any rules and laws that oppose their morals. Justice, morality, and fairness are among their most important ideals.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among: Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Investigation, and Insight
- Tool Proficiencies: Thieves’ tools, plus your choice of one of the following type of kits: disguise kit, forgery kit, or poisoner's kit.
- Equipment: A Climber's Kit, Clothes, Common (optional: with a hood, of any color), a bounty poster bearing your resemblance, a token or trinket that reminds you of your cause, and a pouch containing 5 gp.
Heroic outlaws come from a variety of backgrounds. (a noble who abandoned their wealth and took side with the serfs in revolt, a farmer tired of breaking his back for a lord who takes more than his fair share of coin off his labors, a bereft survivor attempting to right what they view as a terrible wrong and spare others the same suffering, or even a pacifist attempting to make political statement.)
Regardless your origin, these diverse paths all lead to the same outcome: a hero of the people and an enemy of the governing class who is wanted by the local law. What is the cause that spurred you to enter the world of criminals for the greater good? And what is the crime you're being charged with for pursuing your cause? (feel free to mix and match or create your own, just remember to be considerate of your table's comforts around the details and descriptions of certain criminal activity and acts.)
| d8 | No Good Deed Goes Unpunished |
|---|---|
| 1 | Liberator (crime: abetting and aiding a criminal) |
| 2 | Protester (crime: disorderly conduct) |
| 3 | Rebel (crime: high treason) |
| 4 | Anarchist (crime: civil unrest) |
| 5 | Vigilante (crime: murder or assault) |
| 6 | Redistributor of Wealth (crime: burglar/thief) |
| 7 | Investigative Journalist (crime: trespassing) |
| 8 | Whistleblower (crime: heresy) |
While you may have bounties on your head from the law abiding members of society, you are beloved by many townsfolk. Very few have the heart to turn you in, and subset of those folk admire and adore you as a hero.
While in a town that knows of your "good" deeds (at your DM’s discretion), you may gain additional benefits from your admirers depending on what little they have to offer. This can be room and board in their modest, to poor living quarters, meals. You may find discounts on certain common goods and wares from blue-collar workers, and even be offered poor quality gifts and meager donations from grateful townsfolk. The local tavern patrons might buy you and your companions a round or two, or share more information because your name bears a certain amount of trust.
Of course, the opposite is true: some particularly lawful characters might attempt to turn you in to the local guard. Nobles and merchants of particular wealth and fortune will regard you with disdain, distrust, or outright hostility depending on how far your notoriety precedes you. You run additional risks staying in inns that would cater to such patrons (such as those of wealthy and aristocratic lifestyles), so you are often forced into riskier lifestyles and living accommodations.
Suggested Characteristics
While the Heroic Outlaw may seem virtuous and fair on the surface, there are two sides to every coin. These heroes can be limited by their own short-sighted ideals, a personal tragedy, or inadvertently place themselves into a catalyst of events that causes more harm than their intended good. But much like the criminal background, they do hold true to the 'honor among thieves' code-- and share a strong sense of justice, fairness, and ultimately a desire to do well by people.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I'm clever and quick-witted, I love outsmarting the wealthy and privileged and I always have a plan for if things go wrong. |
| 2 | I am charitable at heart, it's just that sometimes I miiiight have to steal something from the rich to give to the poor! They won't miss it, most of the time they don't even realize its gone! |
| 3 | I can't enjoy luxuries when I know there are disparities happening around me, I'd rather live in squalor than participate in that. |
| 4 | I can't help but spot unfairness when it's presented, and I find it hard to hold my tongue or stay out of other's business. |
| 5 | Others often say I'm too optimistic in my ideals, but I think the world can be better and I want to be a part of that change. |
| 6 | I'm slow to trust, I've seen what true evil looks like and it is unassuming and unremarkable. I'm too unsure of what shadows might hide in people's hearts. |
| 7 | I've seen how deep corruption can root, because of that I can't fathom participating in the rules and governments that currently run the realms. |
| 8 | Change and justice happens too slowly for my tastes, so I often take matters into my own hands. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make things right. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Justice. Even if the laws of the land are corrupt, I have a strict moral code to hold others accountable. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Equity. One size does not fit all, laws do not allow appropriate nuance and freedom needed, so I ignore them. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Charity. I steal from the wealthy so that I can help people in need. (Good) |
| 4 | Vengeance. I will do whatever it takes to get justice against those who hurt those close to me. (Evil) |
| 5 | Truth. There is opinion, and then there is fact: I seek honesty and clarity to make decisions, so I look for as much information as I can find. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Compassion. Everyone deserves a chance at a good life, I try to give them that chance. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I've seen too much sorrow and suffering, so I'm taking steps to get the power and wealth to change that. |
| 2 | I made a promise to someone long ago that I'm still trying to keep, no matter the risk. |
| 3 | I stumbled upon a corrupt leader's nefarious plot, and now I have to uncover the truth about them because no one believes me. |
| 4 | I have a band of happy humanoids, we wear stockings and we burglar the affluent and donate to the impoverished! |
| 5 | I committed a horrific crime thinking it was the right thing to do, now I am haunted by it. I try to do as much good as I can to make up for it, but I don't feel like I can. |
| 6 | I'm a pacifist, I exhaust every peaceful option of protest I can. I know I can change people's minds through logic and reason. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sometimes I get lost in my ideals, and forget that balance can be necessary to make something successful in the longterm. |
| 2 | I can't stand the limitations of law and order, so I make every effort to be as chaotic as possible and undermine it, even if it disrupts the cohesion of those around me. |
| 3 | I'm riddled with guilt about all the possible things I'm doing wrong. I've spent so long looking at the problems in world around me that now I can't stop looking for them in myself. |
| 4 | I started out doing what I do in the name of good, but a part of me enjoys it. Maybe a little too much... |
| 5 | I struggle to keep myself out of issues I hear around me. I impulsively insert myself into disputes and conversations around me to share my opinions, even if I know I should hold my tongue. |
| 6 | My notoriety precedes me. There's a large bounty on my head, so I have to hide my face from bounty hunters and guards in every town I enter, lest I put myself and my party in danger. |
Contacts
You skirt the fringes of many groups and contacts; you know people within the depths of the criminal underworld, as well as nobles, leaders, governments and even law enforcement. Those that have allied themselves with your cause often provide you with the information needed to find and dismantle the various corrupt networks within the realms, and help you out of any binds you find yourself in while doing so. These contacts and connections can provide you valuable information about the people and places of the local area, and provide assistance should you find yourself jailed or captive by local law.
While you hold a similar approach to the hero of the people, you are willing to commit much more dire crimes than simply stealing from the rich to give to the poor, or throwing a tomato at your region's leader. Whatever the reason, you have taken the law into your own hands and you have dealt out swift and decisive punishments to the ones you deemed deserving. Now you are forced to live with the consequences of those decisions, whatever those may be.
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