Enforcer of the Black Fang

 

"Fear is my ally, loyalty my creed, and strength my weapon. Cross the Fang, and you'll regret it."
— Bral Thorne, Black Fang Enforcer

Description

Forged in the crucible of desperation and chaos, the Black Fang is a ruthless thieves' guild that thrives in the underworld, and you earned your place among them through cunning, strength, and sheer survival. Whether as a street urchin, betrayed merchant, or sellsword, you endured the brutal initiation to become an enforcer—a figure who ensures obedience and crushes opposition.

The Black Fang values strength, ambition, and loyalty above all. As an enforcer, you have shaken down merchants, intimidated rivals, and wielded fear as a weapon. Whether you remain loyal to the guild, have turned against it, or walk a more complex path, your reputation as a member of the Black Fang precedes you. It grants power, but also paints a target on your back.

Attribute Bonuses:

• Strength (+2) and Constitution (+1).

Trinkets Table

Roll a d8 or choose one:

d8	Trinket
1	A jagged black wolf’s fang engraved with your initiation date.
2	A bloodstained coin taken from a rival gang leader.
3	A dagger engraved with the initials of your first kill.
4	A length of black chain used during your initiation.
5	A tarnished ring with a hidden compartment for poison.
6	A tattered Black Fang armband that once belonged to a mentor.
7	A scrap of parchment with coded instructions from the Fang.
8	A small vial of crimson ink used for marking guild members.

Using the Enforcer of the Black Fang Background

This background is ideal for Rogues, Fighters, or Barbarians who thrive in morally ambiguous roles, emphasizing physical strength, intimidation, and loyalty. It offers thematic depth for players interested in exploring the underworld of Aetheris, the tension of gang politics, or the struggle of breaking free from a violent past.

Skill Proficiencies:

• Intimidation: For striking fear into others to get what you want.
• Athletics: Reflecting the brute strength needed for your role.

Tool Proficiencies:

• Thieves’ Tools: For breaking into places or protecting the guild’s interests.
• Alchemist’s Supplies: For crafting poisons or tools of intimidation.

Languages:

• Common and one additional language, often tied to the underworld, such as Thieves’ Cant or a local dialect.

Equipment:

• A battered set of Black Fang insignia.
• A sack of intimidating "tools" (e.g., spikes, knuckles, and rope).
• A vial of poison.
• A set of common clothes.
• A pouch containing 20 gold pieces.

Suggested Characteristics

d4	Personality Trait
1	"I don’t start fights, but I never back down from one."
2	"I wield fear like a blade, sharp and precise."
3	"My past haunts me, but I channel that pain into strength."
4	"I have a soft spot for underdogs, even when it gets me in trouble."

d4	Ideal
1	Strength: "Only the strong deserve to survive." (Neutral)
2	Power: "Fear is the path to control and influence." (Evil)
3	Loyalty: "Betrayal is the ultimate sin; the Fang comes first." (Lawful)
4	Justice: "I use my strength to protect those who can’t protect themselves." (Good)

d3	Bond
1	"The Black Fang is my family; I would die to protect it."
2	"My mentor taught me everything; I’ll prove they didn’t waste their time."
3	"I keep a token from my initiation as a reminder of my rise."

d3	Flaw
1	"I trust brute force over strategy, even when it’s unwise."
2	"My quick temper often leads to reckless decisions."
3	"My loyalty to the Fang blinds me to their flaws."

Contacts

Enforcer Contacts

Your life in the Black Fang has forged connections in the underworld. Examples include:

• A Fang lieutenant who values your loyalty and provides support.
• A merchant you frequently "collect" from who owes you favors.
• A rival enforcer who both admires and resents you.
• A guild healer who patches you up after every job.