You are one tough mother and/or father. You spent your life before adventuring raising children and managing a household. The life of a domestic warrior sage is not easy: full of trauma, tribulation, and intrigue. While some are chewed up and broken by this brutal lifestyle, it left you with a thick skin, quick wits, and a broad base of skills and attitude that any veteran adventurer would be envious of. You've seen some things, and you aren't easily fooled or impressed. You have high expectations and a short fuse: you expect everyone to hold up their own responsibilities and are quick to give them an earful of nasty when they don't. Sometimes you throw things. You know the true meaning of sacrifice at least as well as any legendary hero. Although you will always love your family, you are no longer needed at home, so you are starting a new life as adventurer. You are somewhat older than the typical starting adventurer. People think you are taller than you are.

Skill Proficiencies: Insight and Perception, possibly substituting one of these for Intimidation, Investigation, Medicine, Persuasion, or proficiency in one thrown weapon that deals bludgeoning damage.

Tool Proficiencies: You are proficient with cook's utensils and either a herbalism kit or any one gaming kit or any one musical instrument.

Equipment: A small and inexpensive memento of your family or similar trinket, a set of cook's utensils, a whetstone, a book of recipes you've gathered, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp.

 

Suggested Characteristics

The joys and frustrations of parenthood have left their mark on you. Some Tough Mothers may be sweet, others salty, and some downright bitter, but all are seriously tough. [Note: portions of the below content are adapted from other user-published homebrew backgrounds,  including "Large Family", as well as assorted doctor, cook, caretaker, and other backgrounds.]

d12	Personality Trait
1	I have seen too much to be bothered by suffering. I have no patience for your whining, and you'll never hear mine.
2	Having my own things that I don't have to share is precious to me. Some call me selfish, but I'm just making the most of my situation.
3	Every insult to me will be met with even greater insults in return. I can escalate without limit. If you do me or my family an injury, I will crush you, ruin your name, and salt your fields.
4	I had to fight to be heard over the many voices in my family, so my loud personality makes me stand out in a crowd. I’m confident in my self and do what I can to instill confidence in others.
5	I am dependable and determined. My friends know they can rely on me, no matter what. When I set my mind to something, I always follow through.
6	I was held back for so long by my family responsibilities. Now that I'm free, I'll never settle down in one place again.
7	I'm shameless. Having lived in close quarters with a lot of other people means I lack modesty in attitude and behavior.
8	There were many family squabbles and I was always the diplomatic voice that calmed people down and sorted it out.
9	I need to be around others to feel comfortable and I thrive on the interaction I have with them. I find the noise and tumult of companionship vital.
10	Food makes people smile, and I love watching people eat what I've cooked for them. I even sing or hum or dance while cooking (and doing other chores) because of the joy it brings myself and others.
11	I raised my household to live sparingly on what little money we had, so now I prefer to share rewards. I am not driven by want of money.
12	I am a caregiver, and people know it. Random strangers even sometimes hand me their babies to carry. When someone is hurt, I drop all other responsibilities to tend to them.

d8	Ideal
1	Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. No one should get preferential treatment, and no one should be left out. (Lawful)
2	Sincerity. There’s no good in pretending to be something I’m not. (Neutral)
3	Friendship. My family taught me a lot about the value of staying loyal to those around me. I will treat my new companions as my family and defend them to the bitter end. (Good)
4	Perfection. If I notice any missteps or deviations from the prescribed rules, I feel compelled to take matters into my own hands. I never let my emotions interfere with my ability to do my job. (Lawful)
5	Strength. If I become strong, I can take what I need. If others can't handle it, that's their problem. (Evil)
6	Freedom. I have my independence, a higher calling. Nothing and no one can steer me away from that, regardless of my family’s desires. (Chaotic)
7	Blood. I trust nobody but my own blood, and that's a very short list. (Any)
8	People. I’m loyal to my friends and family, not to any ideals, and everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I care. (Neutral)

d8	Bond
1	I need to become my own person away from my obligations to my family.
2	I no longer have a family to protect, so now I protect those who cannot protect themselves.
3	I have a child that is growing up without me. I must make the world a safer place for them.
4	I will find a way to provide for those I have left behind. Nothing is more important than my family.
5	I wish my loved one had come with me to pursue my adventures.
6	I have a family, but I have no idea where they are. One day, I hope to see them again.
7	I wronged my family. A terrible guilt consumes me. I must atone for my transgressions and find redemption through my actions.
8	I will find a way to bring my family member back to life, even if it costs me my own. I will remain faithful to them for all my days.

d10	Flaw
1	Everything I see reminds me of all I've lost from my former life, and I'm often overcome with emotion. If thoughts of my family catch me off guard, I'm likely to act out.
2	I am haunted by memories of the family member(s) I could not save. I am terrified of allowing myself to feel again.
3	I have a weakness --- possibly an addiction --- for certain vices of the city, especially hard drink, which I indulge to numb the pain of loss.
4	I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of failure. I make more mistakes than I should, a fact that I hide even from myself.
5	I judge others harshly and am quick to anger if they don't hold themselves to my own high standards of personal responsibility.
6	I think that I know my companions better than they know themselves, and I explain this to them often.
7	I am suspicious of strangers and have trouble trusting in my allies. I am often too quick to judgement about a person or situation, and I am unlikely to listen to alternative points of view after I've made up my mind.
8	I too often hear veiled insults and threats in every word addressed to me, and I'm quick to anger.
9	I believe that people who don't take care of themselves get what they deserve.
10	There is no one left in this world to care about. So I don't.