In the quaint and parochially-aligned rural idylls of the world, one can find the young and lonely Shepherds. Charged with protecting their family's (sometimes their village's) herds of animals, Shepherds must know how to keep their animals safe and the fields where they graze in good repair. Shepherds are vital to any pastoral farmer or rancher. When animals are outside and feeding, they are vulnerable to predators and rustlers. Enter the Shepherd.
The Shepherd's life can be quite lonely and it can be quite monotonous. They must be eagle-eyed and resilient to inclement weather, and able to split their sleeping time to better align to the tendencies of predators. Wielding their readily-identifiable crook, a long and hooked staff, they may have to stand toe to toe with wolves or bandits. Because Shepherds spend most of their lives with animals more than Humans, many prefer the simplicity of their herds and often find cities distracting cacophonies.
- Skill Proficiencies: Gain proficiency in Animal Handling and a choice in one of the following: Nature, Medicine, Perception or Survival
- Tool Proficiencies: Gain tool proficiency in Vehicles (Land) and a choice in one of the following: Cook's Utensils, Weaver's Tools, Woodcarver's Tools or an Herbalism Kit
- Equipment: Warm clothes with sturdy boots, a Shepherd's Crook, a Shearing Knife, 1 set of Artisan Tools and a pouch with 10gp.
Shepherds learn how to shepherd, midwife and safeguard a flock of specific animals. They learn the skills to keep the animals safe and contained and may know how to repair or upkeep roosts, fencing or coups or fields for their animals. They know the safest paths to take their animals to and from the field, and to and from the market.
| d6 | Watching Over the Herd |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pig Farmer |
| 2 | Sheep Farmer |
| 3 | Goat Farmer |
| 4 | Chicken Farmer |
| 5 | Cow Farmer |
| 6 | Horse Farmer |
Shepherds must be alert and ever-watchful for threats to their herds- potentially over large tracts of land. The most dangerous hours of their watch is often at dusk or dawn when rustlers and predators are even more likely to strike. Shepherds have adapted to this tendency of their foes in order to protect their herd. Mechanically, a Shepherd can split their sleeping/downtime into two four-hour periods and still gain the benefits of a Long Rest. They must complete both four-hour periods to gain this benefit.
Also, Shepherds do not have disadvantage on Perception in low-light, dusk or dawn conditions when they are engaged in as the group's watch, guard or sentry. If the Shepherd has nightvision, they may add +1d4 to their Perception roll result while they are watching over their herd (or companions). The bonus is specifically for when the Shepherd is watching over their charges in low-light conditions.
Suggested Characteristics
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ha. Ha. Ha. Yes, I raise sheep. We've all heard the jokes. Everyone's a comedian. |
| 2 | I raise and wean these animals but I cannot stand to butcher them myself. I am a strict vegetarian. |
| 3 | Time in the fields is work time. Time in the village is time to unwind. I spend my wages on vices readily. |
| 4 | I like simple things. Food I make, crooks I carve, meat I know where it comes from. I save every copper. |
| 5 | I'm used to being alone. People are hard to read. |
| 6 | People? Animals? I'm protective of anything in my charge. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Greed. It's easy to pass off a lamb or piglet for a few coins. Farmers expect a few deaths and disappearances in every season's herd. (Evil) |
| 2 | Freedom. While being a shepherd ties me to the land, my time and labor are my own. As long as the herd is safe, I can do what I want! (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Duty. I take my charge over the lives of these animals and livelihoods of their owners seriously. I will protect them with my life. (Lawful) |
| 4 | Fortitude. It's a hard and lonely life but somone has to do it. (Any) |
| 5 | Optimism. I protect the lives of my herd and safeguard the future of these fields. We must use the land responsibly and work to create natural harmony. (Good) |
| 6 | Redemption. I failed my watch once and lost my herd. I won't let that happen again. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My herd is my life blood. |
| 2 | I must protect the land and my herd from those that would ravage them. |
| 3 | Bandits stole and butchered my herd. I will have my revenge for the damage they've done to me or my village. |
| 4 | My life's work is to rebuild the pastures and farms that were ravaged by war (or disease). |
| 5 | I will raise and continue a lineage of award-winning, truly exceptional animals. |
| 6 | A healthy herd is a wealthy bottom line. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I hate big cities and feel on edge whenever I must be in them. Its a cacophony of chaos! How can someone keep track of what's going on? |
| 2 | I distrust strangers. It's not that I hate people but I spend time with my herd and they are easier. They're more honest. People have agendas. |
| 3 | I am laconic and say little. I spend my time away from civilization. I prefer to speak through actions but I come off as gruff. |
| 4 | My life is incredibly dull! What I wouldn't give for some action! I'll dive into risky behavior to shake up the norm. |
| 5 | Isolation breeds eccentricity. I make up stories and talk to myself and other animals. Sometimes I don't know how to read people. |
| 6 | Don't make trouble for my herd or my friends. I'm territorial and I don't suffer trespassers. |
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