Circus Performer

You were or currently are a performer in a traveling circus. Whether you were/are there by choice or through other means is entirely up to you. Capturing an audience's attention with wild and thrilling performances has given you an array of skills to draw on in your adventure.

 

*This is my first homebrew background, if anything seems out of place please feel free to change it up however you like for your character. With DM discretion of course :)

 

 

Skill Proficiencies: Skill Proficiencies: You have proficiency in the Performance skill, however the type of performer you were/are can vary your skillset. Your choices include:

       Contortionist: Proficiency in Acrobatics and Medicine

       Stage Magician: Proficiency in Sleight of Hand and Deception

       Beast Tamer: Proficiency in Athletics and Animal Handling

       Ringmaster: Proficiency in Persuasion and Perception

Tool Proficiencies:  Being given charge of the reins in between performances, as well as entertaining crowds during intermissions, has given you proficiency in land vehicles and one musical instrument of your choice (you have the option to switch out the instrument for a gaming set for Stage Magician, or for a Whip for Beast Tamer)

Languages: Being in a traveling circus and performing for a variety of people and cultures has exposed you to various languages. You know Common and three languages of your choice that both you and the DM agree upon.

Equipment: Entertainer's Pack, a pouch containing 5 gp, the instrument/tool/weapon you are proficient in, and traveler's clothes

Suggested Characteristics

Circus performers have many stories to tell from their travels; their experiences before, during, and after their time as a performer has shaped the way they act by themselves and around others. If you need help fleshing our your character, try some of these characteristics.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I always put on a smile during conversation.
2	I tend to use my hands a lot when speaking.
3	I lack a sense of privacy and do not understand the concept of "personal space".
4	I am overly protective of my possessions, due to years of theft among performers.
5	It's quite hard to discourage me from something once I've set my mind to it.
6	My name often precedes me, even when I don't want it to.
7	Making people smile is like second nature to me.
8	I'm very serious when it comes to spending. No refunds, remember?

 

d6	Ideal
1	Entertainment My job and skills are to keep people entertained. (Any)
2	Thrill I live for the death-defying stunts and the looks of fear from the crowd. (Chaotic)
3	Money Don't care who laughs at me, as long as I get paid for it. (Neutral)
4	Amusement I love using my unique skills to make people happy! (Good)
5	Revenge All those years of being called a freak, you'll all see just how freakish I can be. (Evil)
6	Satisfaction Seeing the awestruck faces of the crowd from my performance is enough. (Any)

 

d6	Bond
1	Who needs friends when you have such a lovely audience?
2	My years in the business have given you some friends in very powerful places.
3	Despite not having an extra toe, I get along quite well with the freaks.
4	After losing everything and ending up here, I have no one else to rely on but myrself
5	The one relationship I care for the most is the one between me and my wallet.
6	Making small talk between moving has given me a handful of long-distance relationships.

 

d6	Flaw
1	Despite being such a phenomenal performer (by my standards), no one seems to know who I am.
2	Abuse among the performers has forced me to avoid any and all conflict if possible.
3	I tend to go overboard when money is involved.
4	I sometimes can't tell if I actually feel a certain way about something or if I'm still putting on a performace.
5	I have trouble telling the truth, even when there's no benefit from lying.
6	I can be a bit too proud at times.