You carved a life from the wilderness with your own two hands. Where others saw untamed wilds, you saw fertile soil, sturdy timber, and freedom. Years of labor have hardened your back and strengthened your spirit, but also taught you to respect the dangers of the frontier—weather, beasts, and men alike. You know the value of community, but also how to survive when no one else is around to help.
- Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Animal Handling
- Tool Proficiencies: Carpenter's tools and vehicles (land)
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment: A set of common clothes, a sturdy handaxe, a set of carpenter's tools, a journal with notes on your new home, and a pouch containing 5 gp.
When making a Homesteader, you can roll on this table (d8) or choose an option to help flesh out your past.
| d8 | Why Did You Leave Home? |
|---|---|
| 1 | Land Hunger. My family had too many mouths to feed, so I struck out to claim my own piece of land. |
| 2 | Exile. I was banished from my community for breaking a law or taboo, and I had no choice but to move on. |
| 3 | Wanderlust. The horizon always calls to me—I crave new lands and opportunities. |
| 4 | Conflict. Feuds, raids, or wars made my home too dangerous to stay. |
| 5 | Tragedy. A fire, flood, monster attack, or other disaster destroyed my homestead, forcing me to leave. |
| 6 | Independence. I grew tired of living under someone else’s authority and wanted a life of my own. |
| 7 | Promise. I swore an oath to a friend, family member, or companion to seek new lands or opportunities. |
| 8 | Opportunity. Rumors of fertile soil, valuable resources, or trade prospects lured me to the frontier. |
Life is hard on the frontier, and settlers rely on one another for aid. When traveling through rural communities, small villages, or frontier outposts, you and your companions can expect food and shelter at no cost, provided you don’t abuse the goodwill of your hosts. In addition, when you arrive in such a community, you can usually learn the lay of the land—such as dangerous trails, recent animal activity, or local disputes—by speaking with the locals.
Suggested Characteristics
Homesteaders are defined by a blend of toughness and practicality, tempered by a belief in either self-reliance or communal bonds. Some dream of expanding civilization into the wilds, while others prefer the solitude of their land away from rulers and lords.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m always thinking about how to make something stronger, sturdier, or more useful. |
| 2 | I measure people by their work ethic, not their words. |
| 3 | I prefer quiet and wide open spaces to the press of cities. |
| 4 | I’m slow to trust, but once earned, my loyalty is unshakable. |
| 5 | I tell long, winding stories about the land and weather. |
| 6 | I work hard, but I also believe in celebrating when the work is done. |
| 7 | I have a superstitious respect for the wilderness and its dangers. |
| 8 | I carry a piece of my homestead (a tool, keepsake, or family heirloom) everywhere I go. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Self-Reliance. No one can take care of me better than myself. (Chaotic) |
| 2 | Community. We survive by helping each other. (Good) |
| 3 | Freedom. Out here, no king or lord rules me. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Tradition. I honor the ways my family and ancestors taught me. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Progress. Taming the wilds is the path to a better future. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Balance. Civilization and wilderness both have their place. (Neutral) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My original home was burned or destroyed, and I’ll never forget who did it. |
| 2 | I protect my family above all else. |
| 3 | The land I settled will always be my home, no matter where I travel. |
| 4 | A neighboring family once saved my life, and I owe them everything. |
| 5 | My tools are my life—without them, I feel lost. |
| 6 | I want to build something lasting, a mark that endures after I’m gone. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m stubborn and refuse to admit when I’m wrong. |
| 2 | I struggle to leave behind grudges, even over small things. |
| 3 | I’ll work myself to exhaustion rather than ask for help. |
| 4 | I can be suspicious of outsiders and strangers. |
| 5 | I’m miserly with my goods and resources. |
| 6 | I refuse to back down when something challenges me, no matter the risk. |
You’ve spent long stretches of time surviving in the wilderness with little or no help. You can always find enough food and fresh water for yourself and up to five companions, provided the land offers berries, small game, water, or other natural resources. In addition, you can quickly identify natural shelter such as caves, overhangs, or sturdy trees, making it easier for you and your companions to endure harsh weather.
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