Ordinary Citizen

You never set out to become an adventurer. You grew up like anyone else—working, learning a trade, paying attention to local gossip, and carving out your place in the bustle of daily life. While others chased glory or mysticism, you lived as one of the countless ordinary folk who make up the heart of any settlement. Now, by chance or circumstance, you find yourself in a world of danger and discovery. You’re not special by birth, but you carry with you the grounding, grit, and perspective of someone who knows how to live a normal life.

Ability Scores:

Ordinary citizens are shaped by practical living. Choose one ability score to increase by 2 and another by 1, representing the varied skills an everyday life can foster.

Feat:

You gain the Skilled feat. Life in the ordinary world is about picking up useful tricks—be it bargaining, cooking, or just knowing how to patch a roof. The feat reflects the broad, adaptable knowledge base of a person who had to get by without heroics.

Skill Proficiencies:

You gain proficiency in Insight and Persuasion. Everyday citizens rely on reading people and navigating conversations—whether haggling with merchants, chatting with neighbors, or steering clear of local trouble.

Tool Proficiencies:

You gain proficiency with one artisan’s tool of your choice. An ordinary life almost always comes with a craft, trade, or hobby.

Languages:

You gain proficiency in one additional language of your choice, usually learned from neighbors, coworkers, or travelers passing through town.

Equipment:

You begin with:

• A set of common clothes

• One set of artisan’s tools (the same you’re proficient with)

• A small token of your everyday life (such as a pocketknife, a family recipe book, or a well-used mug)

• A pouch containing 10 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Ordinary citizens often define themselves not by lofty ideals but by simple values: family, community, stability, and pride in their craft. They can be practical, skeptical of heroics, or quietly courageous in ways adventurers overlook.

d6	Personality Trait
1	I keep a small daily ritual—like morning tea, sharpening a tool, or sweeping—that keeps me centered no matter where I am.
2	I talk too much about simple things, like the weather, the price of grain, or what’s cooking.
3	I’m curious about strangers; I can’t help asking where they come from or what their life is like.
4	I take pride in doing ordinary tasks well—folding, cooking, or cleaning gives me comfort.
5	I trust slowly, but once earned, my loyalty is steady as stone.
6	I’m skeptical of big promises and grand plans; I prefer what I can see and hold.

d6	Ideal
1	Community. People should look out for one another, because no one gets through life alone. (Good)
2	Tradition. The old ways keep us steady and safe. (Lawful)
3	Pragmatism. What works matters more than what’s proper or heroic. (Neutral)
4	Independence. No lord or guild owns me; I make my own way. (Chaotic)
5	Fairness. Everyone deserves a fair chance, no matter their station. (Good)
6	Security. Safety and stability are worth working hard for. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	I still write letters (or keep tokens) from my family back home.
2	I owe everything to the neighbor or mentor who helped me grow up.
3	I have a recipe, a tune, or a family saying I intend to pass on.
4	My home community—whether a farm, street, or guild—depends on me returning one day.
5	I carry a small keepsake from my childhood, more precious than gold.
6	I promised someone I’d make something of myself, even if I never planned on adventure.

d6	Flaw
1	I avoid conflict, even when standing up would be the right thing.
2	I’m stubborn in my routines and dislike change.
3	I worry constantly, often about the smallest things.
4	I can be petty about status—resentful of nobles, guildmasters, or “heroes.”
5	I sometimes freeze when big decisions land on me; I’m used to smaller stakes.
6	I cling to simple comforts (food, drink, rest) more than I should.

Contacts

As an ordinary citizen, you are bound to a network of neighbors, coworkers, and acquaintances. They may not have power or wealth, but they can offer gossip, small favors, or introductions. These contacts often include:

• A childhood friend or neighbor

• A local tradesman or market seller

• A town guard you’ve spoken with on their rounds

• A guildsman, barkeep, or laborer

d4	Contact
1	A childhood friend or neighbor
2	A local tradesman or market seller
3	A town guard you’ve spoken with on their rounds
4	A guildsman, barkeep, or laborer