No career criminal, adventure, healer, or common towns person operates without being aware of the Tavern brawler. Some studiously keep a low profile, carrying out just the occasional fight, or only breaking knees when it can plausibly be claimed as an act of tavern pride. Others join up with crews fighting in an organised tavern brawl league.  It is part sport, part gang violence, a past time for aggressive thugs and street loiterers, members of gangs, and the occasional bored adventurer.  A tavern will typically build an informal team of 'brawlers' who will take part in these fights.  Some taverns will promote a champion, for the bragging rights or to settle old feuds and rivalries without too many people getting maimed.  There are few rules, although use of weapons and magic is generally frowned upon, and can lead to the expulsion of a given establishment from a league.  Some are sponsored by criminals who wish to keep their henchmen busy or test out new recruits, other leagues help to determine beer prices.

 

 

 

 

 

Skill Proficiencies: Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Intimidation

Tavern brawling is a hard life. While the beer is free, many brawlers carry the marks of their careers upon their bodies.  You spent a lot of time in pubs, either fighting, relaxing between fights, or preparing for the next fight. You were a local hero for the regular patrons of your tavern. Not only can you usually out drink anyone else, you are very familiar with tavern culture and can negotiate a free beer, talk your way past bouncers, or be the first to sense when trouble is brewing. When necessary, you can also use your natural environment to blend in among the other tavern patrons.

Tool Proficiencies: Anything found in a taproom. Bar, table, chair, mug, beer, wench, candle, food, fists, feet, elbows, head, floor, the list goes on. You get the picture.

Languages: Mostly common and foul common, or thieves cant.

Equipment: A set of workman's common clothes including a pouch containing 15 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Tavern brawlers can be dour and sinister, or the life and soul of the party. They are not necessarily natural born killers, but they are usually competitive in the extreme, and can get bored easily. A quiet tavern is one without a brawl. A tavern with a brawl is a more entertaining place to be. But some have an abundance of endearing, if not redeeming, characteristics. 

d7	Personality Trait
1	I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong.
2	The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuable—or where such things could be hidden.
3	I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy.
4	I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide.
5	I don’t pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds.
6	The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can’t do it.
7	I blow up at the slightest insult.

d6	Ideal
1	Honor. I don’t steal from others in the trade. (Lawful)
2	Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic)
3	Charity. I steal from the wealthy so that I can help people in need. (Good)
4	Greed. I will do whatever it takes to become wealthy. (Evil)
5	People. I’m loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I care. (Neutral)
6	Redemption. There’s a spark of good in everyone. (Good)

d6	Bond
1	I’m trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor.
2	My ill-gotten gains go to support my family.
3	Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back.
4	I will become the greatest thief that ever lived.
5	I’m guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it.
6	Someone I loved died because of a mistake I made. That will never happen again.

d6	Flaw
1	When I see something valuable, I can’t think about anything but how to steal it.
2	When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money.
3	If there’s a plan, I’ll forget it. If I don’t forget it, I’ll ignore it.
4	I have a “tell” that reveals when I’m lying.
5	I turn tail and run when things look bad.
6	An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. I’m okay with that.