Criminal (2024 Revised Version)

You eked out a living in dark alleyways, cutting purses or burgling shops. Perhaps you were part of a small gang of like-minded wrongdoers who looked out for each other. Or maybe you were a lone wolf, fending for yourself against the local thieves’ guild and more fearsome lawbreakers. Either way, you’re far closer than most people to the world of murder, theft, and violence that pervades the underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society.

Work with your DM to flesh out the details of your criminal history. How long have you been breaking the law? Do you commit crimes just to survive, or do you see them as a form of rebellion against a tyrannical establishment? Perhaps you grew up as part of a family of criminals or learned your trade from the members of a thieves' guild. If you aren't working by yourself, you may still have connections to either of those groups.

Ability Scores: Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence
Feat: Choose one feat from the Origin Feat list. Alert is recommended.

Skill Proficiencies: Stealth and either Deception or Sleight of Hand

Tool Proficiencies: Thieves' Tools

Languages: You learn Thieves' Cant if you do not have it already, or an additional language of your choice if you do.

Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) 2 Daggers, Thieves' Tools, Crowbar, 2 Pouches, Traveler's Clothes, 16 GP; or (B) 50 GP

Suggested Characteristics

Criminals might seem like villains on the surface, and many of them are villainous to the core. But some have an abundance of endearing, if not redeeming, characteristics. There might be honor among thieves, but criminals rarely show any respect for law or authority.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I always have a plan for when things go wrong.
2	I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me.
3	The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuable—or where such things could be hidden.
4	I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy.
5	I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide.
6	I don’t pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds.
7	The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can’t do it.
8	I blow up at the slightest insult.

d6	Ideal
1	Honor. I don’t steal from others in the trade.
2	Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them.
3	Charity. I steal from the wealthy so that I can help people in need.
4	Greed. I will do whatever it takes to become wealthy.
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.
6	Redemption. There’s a spark of good in everyone.

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.

Contacts

Criminals have a way of picking up contacts whether they like it or not. While a talented lone wolf may be able to make a living and evade the law for a time, there's always more safety in numbers. Your character might be connected to a wider network of criminals who band together to pull off bigger jobs and offer each other protection. Rivalries are just as common as friendships in such syndicates, though. The aim of most criminals is to increase their own personal wealth, and if your contacts think you're standing in their way, they might decide you'll look better with a knife in your back. But if you prove to be loyal, you might find that there is honor among thieves after all. Criminals know better than almost anyone else that perilous situations lead to unlikely bonds between people. Friendly criminal contacts can be a powerful tool for an adventurer, just as hostile contacts can be a major hindrance.

d8	Contact
1	A seasoned member of the criminal underworld took you under their wing when you were a young ne'er-do-well. They taught you everything you know.
2	You have a tenuous partnership with someone who used to be (or maybe still is) a member of local law enforcement. They have sharp insight into the law’s workings in your area and a healthy dose of paranoia for that reason.
3	You frequent a local den of vice where the boss gives you discounts on their services in exchange for jobs they want done.
4	You know a clever urchin who leads a small army of young pickpockets. They can be your eyes and ears around the area, as long as they get to keep whatever valuables they grab along the way.
5	You've worked with a fence who doubles as a fine art dealer. Whatever masterpieces you steal, they can sell.
6	The proprietor of an illegal fighting pit wants you to become their newest champion.
7	You once had your ill-gotten goods stolen from you by a masked highway robber. Now you want to find them again and get revenge.
8	The master of the local thieves' guild just gave you an ultimatum: join the gang or get out of town.