You've always had a knack for commerce, but a bit of a blind spot for legality. Whether selling arms to underworld criminals or redistributing medicine to the less fortunate for a modest fee, you've carved out your corner of the black market to create a firm niche.
- Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Persuasion or Deception
- Tool Proficiencies: Forgery Kit, Disguise Kit, Thieves' Tools, or one type of Artisan's Tools
- Languages: Any one of your choice
- Equipment: One set of artisan’s tools, thieves' tools, disguise kit, or forgery kit; merchant’s scale, a set of fine clothes, and a belt pouch containing 25 gp
In order to make a name for oneself in the black markets one must have a specialty. What sort of illicit goods were you selling?
| d10 | Black Market Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arms Dealer - You sold weapons to those who couldn't obtain them legally, or perhaps weapons that could not be obtained legally at all. |
| 2 | Forgery - From duplications to complete fabrications, you could make any sort of document appear to be legitimate. |
| 3 | Poisons and Potions - If it comes in a bottle, you could brew it or source it. |
| 4 | Drugs - From dreammist to silkroot you knew where to get even the most exotic stimulants, psychotropics, hallucinogenics, or other mind- and body-altering substances. |
| 5 | Exotic Animals - Blink dogs, pseudodragons, halflings, lions, tigers, and owlbears, oh my! |
| 6 | Rarities and Curiosities - You've had an eye for the unique and the historic - the instruments of ancient bards, the weapons of heroes of yore, royal relics, religious artifacts, anything that carries some prestige to owning was within your purview. |
| 7 | Information - whether pure illicit knowledge or banned books, you had all the answers - for a price. |
| 8 | Bounties - You knew who was trying to hide from the law, and who was trying to hide from the lawless, and worked as a broker to facilitate their capture for whichever party was most interested. |
| 9 | Fence - While you didn't have a specialty in what you sold, you offered a relatively fair price on illicit goods brought to you which you could then move through the market on your own terms. |
| 10 | Street Surgery - While you may not have been the doctor yourself you made sure they had a place to work and a steady supply of interested customers who didn't want to attract the attention of the law with their wounds. |
The black markets of the world are vast and interconnected, and there's always a way to get a message across to a contact. Whether through local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, or seedy sailors, or through wholesalers, suppliers, and other merchants and entrepreneurs, there's always some way to send a message, however brief.
Suggested Characteristics
Being a merchant - especially a less than legal one - involved having a head for numbers, a strong personality, the ability to make deals with hostile adversaries, a strong sword arm to fight off bandits, and the intuition for knowing what people want and need. The art of business is the art of finding the best path to profit, and that path might be different with each transaction. It takes a strong mind and a stronger stomach to succeed. So why have you turned to adventuring?
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I didn’t have the cutthroat attitude necessary to succeed. I won’t make that mistake again. |
| 2 | Even my competitors said I was affable and talented. Those traits should serve me well. |
| 3 | To prosper, you have to be in control. |
| 4 | I blow up at the slightest insult. |
| 5 | I was cutting corners and breaking deals to maximize profit. That’s why I failed. |
| 6 | When I get an idea, I am single-minded in its execution — even if it’s a terrible idea. |
| 7 | The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuable—or where such things could be hidden. |
| 8 | My heart wasn’t in being a merchant, so I failed. I’m not all that keen on adventuring either, but I need the money. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Survival. Where there’s life, there’s hope. If I remain alive and flexible, I can succeed. (Any) |
| 2 | Generosity. People helped me when I was down. Now that I’m back on my feet, I’ll pay it forward. (Good) |
| 3 | Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Wealth. With enough coin, I can buy comfort, power, knowledge, and even eternal life. Nothing will stand between me and money. (Evil) |
| 5 | Honor. I don't steal from others in the trade. (Lawful) |
| 6 | Redemption. There's a spark of good in everyone. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My family means everything to me. I failed them before, and I must not do so again. |
| 2 | I'm trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor. |
| 3 | My former business partner fell ill, and then our business failed. Part of my new venture involves earning enough to take care of their family. |
| 4 | If I take care of my possessions, they’ll take care of me. People come and go, but a weapon or a wand is something you can always rely on. |
| 5 | I'm guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it. |
| 6 | I owe a dangerous person a lot of money. As long as they’re happy, they let my debt rest unpaid. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | Why spend gold here when you can buy the same thing for copper in the next town? |
| 2 | I must have the best of everything. Like, right now. |
| 3 | When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money. |
| 4 | I turn tail and run when things look bad. |
| 5 | I have a 'tell' that reveals when I'm lying. |
| 6 | Nothing gets between me and danger except my fellow adventurers. So I’ll be sure to put them there. |
Contacts
A fence or other black marketeer, a distributor, a crooked cop, a regular customer, an ex-partner, whether romantic or strictly business - there's always someone you can rely on from the outside.
You've retained connections with wholesalers, suppliers, and other merchants and entrepreneurs which you can call upon to find information or track down goods.
Previous Versions
| Name | Date Modified | Views | Adds | Version | Actions |
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6/9/2022 7:45:18 PM
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Coming Soon
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