You are part of a traveling group of refugees, where you constantly travel from town to town trying to avoid conflicts with guards and prejudiced people.
As a refugee, you've had to teach yourself many things. From different languages, general survival techniques and tricks, all the way to persuasion and sleight of hand skills. Anything to survive and stay alive.
You also have a tight-knit group of other refugees who know your struggles and who see you as family. Together you take care of each other, because surviving is easier when you're not alone.
How do you plan to make a living, and what are your plans for your incredibly unsure future? Do you want to find a place to call home and make an honest living, build a name for yourself by excelling at creating goods, tools, or art, become a traveling musician so you can earn a living that way, steal from the folks around and leave when things get hot or settle somewhere in unclaimed land amongst nature? The options are endless, yet the path towards your future remains difficult because of the predisposition most people have towards you.
- Skill Proficiencies: Two of acrobatics, stealth, sleight of hand, investigation, nature, animal handling, insight, medicine, perception, survival, deception, intimidation, performance & persuasion.
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan's tools, gaming set or musical instrument or disguise kits, gaming sets, herbalism kits, or thieves' tools.
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment: A backpack, a bedroll, a set of common clothes, rations for 3 days, a torch, and a pouch containing 1 gp.
Additionally, depending on which tool proficiency you took, you also carry one of the following:
Artisan's tools, Disguise kit, gaming set, herbalism kit, musical instrument, or thieves' tools.
What caused you to become a refugee? Were you born in a traveling group of other refugees, outcast by your previous fellow citizens, or was your old home destroyed by some dangerous beast? Discuss with your DM why you are part of a traveling refugee group, or roll a d6 and choose from the table below.
| d6 | Refugee's Reasons |
|---|---|
| 1 | A dangerous beast or natural disaster destroyed my hometown, and I and the other survivors were forced to become refugees. |
| 2 | I was accused of a terrible crime, and whether true or not; I was outcasted by my community as a result. |
| 3 | I was born to refugees and have never been able to find a place to call home. |
| 4 | A war divided my country and has made it unsafe or unlivable. |
| 5 | I lived in an abusive household with tyrants for family members and decided to escape them. |
| 6 | Our leading government became hostile toward my social group, so I had to flee to avoid persecution. |
As a part of a traveling refugee group, you have a small band of people who know you and are willing to help you protect you. Besides that, there are people out there who sympathize with your cause and are willing to help you and your group improve your situation. Watch out though; some people are prejudiced and will be hateful or even alert the guards to your presence.
Suggested Characteristics
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I try to hide the fact that I'm a refugee, I don't want people to treat me differently than they would anyone else. |
| 2 | I work hard, maybe a little too hard, to overcompensate and find distraction. |
| 3 | I have difficulty trusting people and letting them closer, but the people I do let in I am very protective over. I have to protect my herd. |
| 4 | I feel guilty for my position and try to never owe anyone anything. |
| 5 | I think the way people treat me is unfair and I often try to start discussions with people when we have conflicting morals. |
| 6 | I have a way with people and know how to end unnecessary squabbles and inspire peace instead for the greater good. |
| 7 | I am as versatile as I am well-traveled, there isn't anything I'm not at least willing to try. I have an open mind and an open heart. |
| 8 | My many troubles on the road have taught me a thing or two about health; I am very vigilant when it comes to helping those who are hurt. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sympathy. I have seen so many people hurt for no reason, and I'll do almost anything to help them back up again. (Good) |
| 2 | Wealth. I have lived in destitute for too long, and I know I deserve more than I've ever been able to get. (Neutral) |
| 3 | Revenge. The reasons of my outcasting have been unfair, and I will make sure those who caused it will remember it forever. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Settling down. I want to find a new place for myself to call home. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Change. I want this world to leave its prejudices for good and welcome people like myself. (Any) |
| 6 | Aspiration. I want to prove everyone that I have a worth despite not having a home. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My old neighbors still know me and feel bad for what happened to me. I miss them and wish to see them again. |
| 2 | There are a lot of criminals out there who are willing to ignore your past and flaws if you make it worth their time. |
| 3 | I know how to find people like me and want to surround myself with them. Our shared pains make for a better understanding of one another. |
| 4 | A person I met on the road listened to my story and decided to help me out of a bad place. I want to find them back and repay them in whatever way I can. |
| 5 | Someone smuggled me past some guards once and later demanded money. I had nothing so I ran, they're still trying to find me. |
| 6 | The nobles that decided my people aren't welcome in their country do not deserve to run said country. I will make sure they pay for their cruelty. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | Despite the fact that I'm incredibly poor, I am too proud to show it. I desperately try to keep up appearances of being wealthy. |
| 2 | I have a bad habit of getting myself involved in other people their business, often causing drama and arguments. |
| 3 | There is nothing that equals my former home, I'm always comparing everything to it and keep nagging about any differences. |
| 4 | I am meant to be on the road and can't sit still. When I stay in places long I get bored and easily annoyed. |
| 5 | My fingers are sticky, If I want something I just grab it... Sometimes it happens by accident. |
| 6 | I remember every person who's ever wronged me and nurse resentment toward anyone who's ever wronged me. |
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Posted Dec 2, 2024Please be nice! I am happy to receive criticism as long as it is constructive. Keep in mind that this is the first background I've ever made, and the original intent was for me to use it in a private session.