You have managed a team of wagon pulling Animals for years. In that time, you faced down mighty storms, monsters of the wild, and Highway men who wanted to steal your precious cargo and kill you in the process. Your first love is the long road, but your ready to move on and try a new path.
Discuss the nature of your teamster employment with your Dungeon Master. Did you work for a large merchant company, a small band of craftsman, a temple, or was it a family affair? or perhaps you chose the shadowed life of a smuggler? How famous (or infamous) was the company for which you worked? How far were your travels? Does your company still exist or was it destroyed by bandits or monsters?
- Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Perception
- Tool Proficiencies: Carpenter’s tools, vehicles (land)
- Equipment: A whip or a heavy crossbow, 20 crossbow bolts, a heavy pair of gloves, an oiled leather cloak with hood, a set of Traveler's clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp.
When you need to, you can secure free passage on a wagon for yourself and your adventuring companions. You might travel with the company your worked, or another company you have good relations with (perhaps one ran by a former colleague). Because you’re calling in a favor, you can’t be certain of a schedule or route that will meet your every need. Your Dungeon Master will determine how long it takes to get where you need to go. In return for your free passage, you and your companions are expected to assist the crew during the long haul.
Suggested Characteristics
Teamsters must be sturdy and dependable. The responsibility to deliver products, food, etc. is not taken lightly. Life on the Long Haul shapes their outlook and forms their most important attachments.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | My friends know they can rely on me, no matter what. |
| 2 | I work hard so that I can play hard when the work is done. |
| 3 | I enjoy traveling to new towns and making new friends over a flagon of ale. |
| 4 | I stretch the truth for the sake of a good story. |
| 5 | To me, a tavern brawl is a nice way to get to know a new city. |
| 6 | I never pass up a friendly wager. |
| 7 | My language is as foul as an otyugh nest. |
| 8 | I like a job well done, especially if I can convince someone else to do it. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. The thing that keeps the travels pleasant is mutual respect of all on the road. (Good) |
| 2 | Fairness. We all do the work, so we all share in the rewards. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Freedom. The open road is freedom — the freedom to go anywhere and do anything. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Mastery.I will deliver the goods on time no matter who or what I have to run over. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. I’m committed to my fellow Teamsters, not to ideals. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Aspiration. Someday I’ll own my own Wagon Company and make my own destiny. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m loyal to my Company first, everything else second. |
| 2 | Delivering the goods is most important — workmates come and go. |
| 3 | I’ll always remember my first haul. |
| 4 | I nearly gave up the teamster life for Love. |
| 5 | I was cheated out of my fair share of the profits, and I want to get my due. |
| 6 | Bandits killed my crew, stole my wagons and goods, and left me to die. Vengeance will be mine. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I follow orders, even if I think they’re wrong. |
| 2 | I’ll say anything to avoid having to do extra work. |
| 3 | Once someone questions my courage, I never back down no matter how dangerous the situation. |
| 4 | Once I start drinking, it’s hard for me to stop. |
| 5 | I can’t help but pocket loose coins and other trinkets I come across. |
| 6 | My pride will probably lead to my destruction. |
You spent your youth under the sway of a shady characters, a ruthless dealer who taught you how to survive in a world of bandits and savages. You’ve indulged in bootlegging at the city gates, downright larceny at highway border crossings and sent more than one deserving soul to an early grave. Fear and bloodshed are no strangers to you, and you’ve garnered respect from those who need your services.
If your character has a Teamster background, you may select this background feature instead of The Long Haul.
You do your work in the shadows of the city walls or on moonless nights. Most people don't know what you do but the criminal elements or those who wish to get or ship illegal goods will help you when you need it. You know who to talk to in most towns and cities to acquire banned items.
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