You grew up in the skies above Ærdenwald, living and working aboard airships that crisscross the sprawling skies filled with dragons, storms, and breathtaking vistas. Whether you served as a crew member, a mercenary, or an independent adventurer, the airship was your home, and the ever-changing winds shaped your life. Navigating high-stakes environments has given you resilience and resourcefulness, and you’ve lived to tell tales of close encounters with sky pirates, rogue dragons, and deadly storms.
Life in the skies is not for the faint of heart, and your background sets you apart as someone who knows how to thrive in the freedom—and dangers—of the open sky.
- Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Perception
- Tool Proficiencies: Navigator’s Tools or Tinker’s Tools; one musical instrument of your choice.
- Languages: One of your choice (often Primordial, Draconic, or a trade language).
- Equipment: A well-worn jacket or cloak, a map of a known trade route or dragon territory, a set of Navigator’s Tools or Tinker’s Tools, a keepsake from a memorable voyage, and a pouch containing 15 gp.
Choose your role aboard the airship or roll on the following table to determine what position you held in your skyfaring days.
| d8 | Role on the Crew |
|---|---|
| 1 | Helmsman |
| 2 | Navigator |
| 3 | Rigger or linesman |
| 4 | Engineer or mechanic |
| 5 | Gunner or weapons specialist |
| 6 | Deckhand or all-purpose crew |
| 7 | Merchant or trader |
| 8 | Adventurer-for-hire |
Your time among the airship crews has earned you a reputation for reliability and skill in navigating skyborne environments. Skyfarers, merchants, and captains in major ports are more likely to offer you aid, whether in the form of discounts on transportation, access to exclusive information, or help repairing equipment.
Additionally, you have a knack for interpreting weather patterns and can instinctively sense when a storm is imminent or when the winds favor travel, granting you advantage on checks related to skyship travel and navigation.
Suggested Characteristics
Skyfarers are rugged, resourceful, and adventurous by nature. Their time aboard airships often fosters a deep love of freedom and exploration, but it can also instill a sense of restlessness and a tendency to keep emotional distance from others.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a story for every situation, usually involving a daring escape or a harrowing storm. |
| 2 | I’m constantly scanning the skies, always ready for danger—or opportunity. |
| 3 | I feel more at home in the sky than on solid ground. |
| 4 | I have a habit of humming or singing sea shanties (or sky shanties) when I’m focused. |
| 5 | I can’t resist a challenge, especially one that involves feats of daring. |
| 6 | I’m a thrill-seeker who relishes the rush of danger and the unknown. |
| 7 | I approach every problem like I’m fixing a damaged ship—practically and methodically. |
| 8 | I’m slow to trust, but once I do, I’m loyal to the end. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Freedom: The skies are open to all who dare to soar. (Chaotic) |
| 2 | Honor: A crew is only as strong as the trust between its members. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Adventure: Life is meant to be lived on the edge. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Survival: You can’t fly if you don’t know how to land. (Neutral) |
| 5 | Exploration: The skies hold endless secrets waiting to be uncovered. (Any) |
| 6 | Profit: There’s always a deal to be made, if you know where to look. (Neutral) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My first captain taught me everything I know, and I’ll honor their memory with my actions. |
| 2 | I owe my life to a crewmate who saved me in a deadly storm. |
| 3 | An airship I loved was destroyed by a rogue dragon or sky pirate, and I’ll do whatever it takes to reclaim what was lost. |
| 4 | I have a close bond with my old crew and would drop everything to help them. |
| 5 | A skyfarer betrayed me once, and I’ve been looking for justice—or revenge—ever since. |
| 6 | I’m determined to make my name legendary among the skyfaring captains. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I never let my guard down, even when I probably should. |
| 2 | I’m reckless, diving headfirst into danger without thinking of the consequences. |
| 3 | I value freedom so much that I bristle under authority, even when it’s necessary. |
| 4 | My time in the skies has made me restless and unable to stay in one place for long. |
| 5 | I’m haunted by a decision I made—or failed to make—during a critical moment aboard an airship. |
| 6 | I have a habit of collecting debts wherever I go, both owed to me and by me. |
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