A good con isn't only about deception, it's about acting and distraction. Its about faking evidence and forging documents. Its about charm and persuasion. Its about knowing there's a sucker born every minute, and knowing what that sucker wants and... most importantly... what they are willing to give up for a chance at it.
- Skill Proficiencies: Pick two from: Deception, Persuasion, Performance, Sleight of Hand, Insight
- Tool Proficiencies: One of: Calligrapher's Supplies, Jeweler's Tools, Disguise Kit, Forgery Kit, Playing Card Set, Dice Set
- Languages: Any one of Dwarvish, Elvish, Gnomish, Goblin, Halfling, Orc
- Equipment: One of: Forgery Kit, Disguise Kit, any gaming set, Calligraphy Kit
You can perform most of the roles required to perform a variety of scams, but you've specialized in one. Roll a d10 or choose from the list below:
| d10 | Specialization |
|---|---|
| 1 | Forger: You provide convincing documents to back up the story, including fake official documents. |
| 2 | Shill: Your role is to pretend to be a mark, showing the real marks that the con is not only safe, but profitable. Of course you're in on it the whole time. |
| 3 | Financier: You appear to the mark as a reputable doctor, lawyer, banker, etc. to convince them their money or valuables are safe. |
| 4 | The Roper: You identify the mark, and bring them to a con-artist who has an ongoing con or one who can create a con specific to the new mark. |
| 5 | Inside man: You act as an established businessman, official, etc. ready to operate the con on the marks brought in by the roper. |
| 6 | Fixer: You make all the arrangements, including bribes, props, and extras, that are necessary for a convincing con. |
| 7 | The Flop: you are skilled at faking an accident to collect compensation or sympathy from you victim. Dangerous to do well, because it works best when the injuries are real! |
| 8 | The Lure: Sometimes a beautiful woman or attractive man, but always someone the mark wants to impress or spend time with. Often skilled with disguise. |
| 9 | Sleight of Hand: You are skilled at switching out the genuine article for the fake without ever being noticed. You're a pretty good pick-pocket, too. |
| 10 | Manager: you pick the cons, you hire the crew, you are the boss! Usually you'll have an active role, such as the Inside Man, in each con as well. |
You know a modified version of Thieves' Cant, a secret mix of dialect, jargon, and code that allows you to hide messages in seemingly normal conversation. Only another creature that knows thieves’ cant understands such messages. It takes four times longer to convey such a message than it does to speak the same idea plainly. The version you know has been modified for use by con artists and related folk, plus it includes all of the common slang so that you can talk about the con without giving away any secrets to eavesdroppers.
In addition, you understand a set of secret signs and symbols used to convey short, simple messages, such as whether an area is dangerous or the territory of a thieves’ guild, whether loot is nearby, or whether the people in an area are easy marks or will provide a safe house for thieves on the run.
Suggested Characteristics
Something about Con artists here.
Contacts
Most scams cannot be performed single-handed. As an established con-artist you know or can find others who are willing to work your cons with you in exchange for payment. These include any "shills," forgers, pickpockets, "extras," etc. necessary to perform a scam convincingly. Payment for the work is made in cash daily for short cons, or at the end of a long con. Failure to make payment for services rendered will certainly get you black-listed with the con-artist community and possibly much worse.
PHB
Previous Versions
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6/15/2023 3:42:06 AM
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79
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beta
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Coming Soon
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6/15/2023 4:18:30 AM
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80
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Coming Soon
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