You come from a humble social rank, but you are destined for so much more. The people of your home village regard you as the child of their champion, and your destiny calls you to stand against the tyrants and monsters that threaten the common folk everywhere just like your parent did. You've got big shoes to fill but it's written in the stars you'll do great things.
- Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Nature
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan’s tools, vehicles (land)
- Equipment: A set of artisan’s tools (one of your choice), a shovel, an iron pot, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
You previously pursued a simple profession among the peasantry, perhaps as a farmer, miner, servant, shepherd, woodcutter, or gravedigger. But something happened that set you on a different path and marked you for greater things. Choose or randomly determine a defining event that marked you as a hero of the people.
| d10 | Defining Event |
|---|---|
| 1 | I stood up to a tyrant’s agents. |
| 2 | I saved people during a natural disaster. |
| 3 | I stood alone against a terrible monster. |
| 4 | I stole from a corrupt merchant to help the poor. |
| 5 | I led a militia to fight off an invading army. |
| 6 | I broke into a tyrant’s castle and stole weapons to arm the people. |
| 7 | I trained the peasantry to use farm implements as weapons against a tyrant’s soldiers. |
| 8 | A lord rescinded an unpopular decree after I led a symbolic act of protest against it. |
| 9 | A celestial, fey, or similar creature gave me a blessing or revealed my secret origin. |
| 10 | Recruited into a lord’s army, I rose to leadership and was commended for my heroism. |
Your parent is known throughout the region, you can choose to bear a striking resemblance to them or look like your other parent completely. People give you deference and look to you for guidance hoping for wisdom and strength from you just like they did your parent. They will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, though they will not risk their lives for you.
Suggested Characteristics
A folk hero is one of the common people, for better or for worse. Most folk heroes look on their humble origins as a virtue, not a shortcoming, and their home communities remain very important to them.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I judge people by their actions, not their words. |
| 2 | If someone is in trouble, I’m always ready to lend help. |
| 3 | When I set my mind to something, I follow through no matter what gets in my way. |
| 4 | I have a strong sense of fair play and always try to find the most equitable solution to arguments. |
| 5 | I’m confident in my own abilities and do what I can to instill confidence in others. |
| 6 | Thinking is for other people. I prefer action. |
| 7 | I misuse long words in an attempt to sound smarter. |
| 8 | I get bored easily. When am I going to get on with my destiny? |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. (Good) |
| 2 | Fairness. No one should get preferential treatment before the law, and no one is above the law. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Freedom. Tyrants must not be allowed to oppress the people. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. If I become strong, I can take what I want—what I deserve. (Evil) |
| 5 | Sincerity. There’s no good in pretending to be something I’m not. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Destiny. Nothing and no one can steer me away from my higher calling. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a parent always traveling, but I have no idea where they are. One day, I hope to see them again. |
| 2 | I grew up here, I love this place, and I will protect it. |
| 3 | A proud noble once gave me a horrible beating, and I will take my revenge on any bully I encounter. |
| 4 | I carry a pendant from my parent everywhere, I hope I can be as strong and brave as them. |
| 5 | I protect those who cannot protect themselves. |
| 6 | I want to be heroic by my own merits and step out of my parent’s shadow. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The tyrant who rules my land killed my parent, they’re after our family next. |
| 2 | I’m convinced I am destined to be a greater hero than my parent, soon people will only remember me. |
| 3 | The people who knew me when I was young know my shameful secret, so I can never go home again. |
| 4 | I look down on those who fall prey to their vices, I’ve seen what becomes of those trapped in that cycle. Sometimes I just want to put them out of their misery. |
| 5 | My parent became a brutal tyrant who rules with an iron fist, I carry the blame and the guilt of their actions, I ran from home but it keeps chasing me down. |
| 6 | I have trouble trusting people, I can’t help thinking they only want to get close to me because of my parent. |
Contacts
The old order of your heroic parent comes by to check on you every so often, some times bringing gifts or money.
Your parent is known throughout the region, you can choose to bear a striking resemblance to them or look like your other parent completely. People are saddened your parent is gone and treat you delicately, they remind you and tell you how great your parent was. Commoners will tell you how proud your parent would be of you, but how can you be sure? They will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, and they will risk their lives for you.
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