Couriers carry the messages, parcels, and secrets that keep the world connected. Whether serving a merchant guild, noble house, military order, or traveling as an independent messenger, you have learned that speed, reliability, and resourcefulness are often more valuable than strength. From crowded city streets to forgotten wilderness trails, you know how to reach your destination when others cannot.
- Ability Scores: Choose one of the following ability score improvements:
- Increase one ability score by 2 and another by 1.
or
- Increase three different ability scores by 1 each.
- Feat: You gain the Fleet of Foot Feat, reflecting your speed, endurance, and experience traveling long distances under demanding conditions.
- Skill Proficiencies: You gain proficiency in Acrobatics and Survival, representing your agility, balance, and ability to travel safely through unfamiliar terrain.
- Tool Proficiencies: You gain proficiency with Land Vehicles, allowing you to expertly operate wagons, carts, and similar means of transportation.
- Languages: You can speak, read, and write one language of your choice.
- Equipment: You begin with a courier's satchel, a set of traveler's clothes, a regional map, a small token from a grateful client, and a pouch containing 10 gp.
Couriers come from every walk of life. Some are loyal employees of powerful organizations, while others travel independently wherever their services are needed. Consider what motivates you to keep moving and what kind of deliveries you are willing—or unwilling—to accept.
| d6 | Courier Characteristics |
|---|---|
| 1 | Merchant deliveries between neighboring towns. |
| 2 | Official government dispatches. |
| 3 | Private correspondence between nobles |
| 4 | Guild contracts requiring speed and secrecy. |
| 5 | Dangerous wilderness deliveries. |
| 6 | Escorting important travelers or valuable cargo. |
Your reputation as a dependable courier opens doors wherever roads connect civilization. In settlements, you can quickly learn local news, road conditions, and rumors by speaking with fellow couriers, stablehands, merchants, or gate guards.
Honest folk often assume you are conducting legitimate business and may offer small courtesies such as directions, temporary shelter, or a place aboard a departing wagon, provided you have given them no reason to distrust you.
Suggested Characteristics
Couriers live by deadlines, trust, and the open road. Some thrive on adventure, while others simply take pride in delivering every package safely. The following personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws can help shape your character.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I welcome a difficult task. |
| 2 | I collect a keepsake from every place I've visited. |
| 3 | I always look for the quickest route. |
| 4 | I enjoy meeting people wherever I travel. |
| 5 | I grow restless if I stay in one place too long. |
| 6 | I love sharing stories from my journeys. |
| 7 | I stay calm under pressure. |
| 8 | I hate wasting time. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Duty. My deliveries always come first. |
| 2 | Freedom. Life is meant to be lived on the road. |
| 3 | Impartiality. Every client deserves the same service. |
| 4 | Profit. Every delivery has its price. |
| 5 | Reputation. I want to become known everywhere. |
| 6 | Service. Helping others gives purpose to my travels. |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nothing matters more than my current assignment. |
| 2 | If I give my word, I always keep it. |
| 3 | I'm saving enough money to finally settle down. |
| 4 | Someone waits for me whenever I return home. |
| 5 | The road always calls me back. |
| 6 | The journey itself is the greatest reward. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I accept more work than I can reasonably finish. |
| 2 | Pleasure often distracts me from my responsibilities. |
| 3 | I can't resist exploring unfamiliar places. |
| 4 | I always want to know what's inside sealed packages. |
| 5 | Boredom makes me reckless. |
| 6 | Sometimes curiosity gets my deliveries into trouble. |
Contacts
Your work has introduced you to merchants, caravan masters, guards, innkeepers, stablehands, and fellow couriers across many settlements. These acquaintances may recognize you, exchange local information, or remember favors from previous deliveries.
| d6 | Contact |
|---|---|
| 1 | A caravan master who owes you a favor. |
| 2 | A gate guard who recognizes you. |
| 3 | An innkeeper who always has a room available. |
| 4 | A fellow courier who shares information. |
| 5 | A merchant who trusts your honesty. |
| 6 | A stablehand who can always find you a horse. |
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