Ex-Gang Leader

You grew up as a part of a gang, where it was either actually familial connections that brought you in, or it felt as though the gang was your family. You knew nothing about a life outside of gang influence, and your entire understanding of the world is filtered through that established structure.

Perhaps the gang was necessary to protect the members in a harsh environment, or perhaps the gang was organized and portrayed a respectable outward appearance in order to foster respect and power. Either way, your basic way of life necessitated existence outside of accepted law, which was replaced by a complex understanding of respect, power, and faith, dictating what was acceptable conduct or not.

You rose through the ranks, putting your time in at many different levels of responsibility, earning each promotion through respect, tenacity, and wise choices. At your peak, you were in the discussion of those in power as having the potential to be the head of the entire gang at some point in the future. You had the respect of those at the top.

This came to an end, whether peacefully or violently, and now you find yourself in a world where those same traits you built your reputation on could be either manipulated, or result in you loosing face in front of others. You must struggle to walk the line between trying to take over the world, and letting it destroy your values.

Skill Proficiencies: Choose one Wisdom, and one intelligence based skill to become proficient in.

You are proficient in the Intimidation skill.

Tool Proficiencies: Choose one instrument or game to become proficient in.

Languages: You become proficient in the Thieves Cant, even if you are not a thief.

Equipment: You gain the choice of one weapon which has either light or finesse property.

Suggested Characteristics

d8	Personality Trait
1	“There are many things my father taught me here in this room. He taught me: Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.” - The Godfather
2	If anything in this life is certain, if history has taught us anything, it is that you can kill anyone.
3	"I don't pay for suits. My suits are on the house, or the house burns down." - Peaky Blinders
4	"He'll Wake Up. Granted, He Won't Have Any Teeth Left, But He'll Be A Wiser Man For It" - Peaky Blinders
5	"And if these times have made you clever, the coming months may thrust genius upon you." - The Borgias
6	"They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue." - The Untouchables
7	"We're having too good a time today. We ain't thinking about tomorrow." - Public Enemies
8	"I came here to die with you. Or to live with you. Dying ain't so hard for men like you and me. It's living that's hard when all you've ever cared about has been butchered" - The Outlaw Josey Wales

d6	Ideal
1	“The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, lies in its loyalty to each other.” – The Godfather
2	“When You Love Someone, You’ve Gotta Trust Them. There’s No Other Way. You’ve Got To Give Them The Key To Everything That’s Yours. Otherwise, What's The Point?” - Casino
3	"If we wanted something, we just took it. If anyone complained twice they got hit so bad, believe me, they never complained again." - Goodfellas
4	“If you wish to be the king of the jungle, it's not enough to act like a king. You must be the king. There can be no doubt. Because doubt causes chaos and one's own demise.” - The Gentlemen
5	"Lesson number one: Don't underestimate the other guy's greed. Lesson number two: Don't get high on your own supply." - Scarface
6	“They used to be buddies, I thought, they used to be friends, and now they hate each other because one has to work for a living and the other comes from the West Side.” - The Outsiders

d6	Bond
1	My gang was destroyed by jealousy and infighting. Those of us who survived have been scattered to the winds looking for new niches to fill.
2	I left my gang after falling in love with someone. I was given the rare gift of being allowed out, and maintain some friendships in the gang. I have lost my love since.
3	I was forced out of my gang through a coup by a long time brotherly rival. I feel incredibly betrayed, and am determined to reclaim my reputation.
4	A rival group destroyed my gang/family to a person. I was missed in the process. I live for retribution.
5	I betrayed my gang when the overall leader, or council, opted to cross a moral line I couldn't support. I stopped the event, however I have become persona non grata, and am being hunted. I can not risk revealing who I truly am.
6	The gang leadership disappeared instantaneously one day, leaving those of us left behind scattered and without leadership. A power vacuum was created and those of us left tried to survive any way we could. I've made it my mission to find out what happened.

d6	Flaw
1	I’d rather have anybody’s hate than their pity.
2	I always tell the truth. Even when I lie.
3	I can't turn down a duel, whether it be with swords, or words.
4	I do not put up with disrespect. It is hardwired into my very soul.
5	I find it hard to trust. Once it's earned, breaking it will be that person's death.
6	“I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn’t work that way. So, I stole a bike and asked him for forgiveness.” - The Godfather