Based off the DnD5e Entertainer background. (Showmen are not gender specific. Any gender can be a Showman.)
You have always had a way with crowds. You know what makes them tick, you can tease out their hearts' desires after a few minutes and conversations, and with a few leading questions you can read them like they where children's books. It's a useful talent, and one that you're perfectly willing to use for your advantage. You know what the crowd wants you to deliver, or rather, you promise to deliver. Common sense should steer people away from things that sound too good to be true, but common sense seems to be in short supply when your're around. The bottle of pink-colored liquid will surely cure that unseemly rash, this ointment -- nothing more that a bit of fat with a sprinkle of silver dust -- can restore youth and vigor, and there's a bridge in the city that just happens to be for sale. These marvels sound implausible but you make them sound like the real deal. You use your performance to trigger these emotions so you can sell them these wares as you entertain them, and even inspire them. Your poetics can stir hearts of those who hear you awakening grief or joy, laughter or anger. Your music raises their spirits or captures their sorrow. Your dance steps captivate, your humor cuts to the quick. Whatever techniques you use, your art is your life.
- Skill Proficiencies: Performance,Persuasion, Deception
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, a costume
- Equipment: A Disguise kit, a set of dark common clothes including a hood, and a pouch containing 15 gp
There are many types of performers but they all thrive on a crowd. They thirst for the applause of the crowd and thrive when the crowd is eating out of their hands. They can use magic ticks and create a small wonder for their audience, they can display heroic feats that evoke wonder, or they can enchant people with speeches. Often these people will use this to further ideals or line their pockets with gold.
| d6 | Showman |
|---|---|
| 1 | Circus Performer |
| 2 | Magician |
| 3 | Psychic |
| 4 | Story Teller |
| 5 | Seller of Exotic Goods |
| 6 | Musician |
You can always gather a crowd. Usually in an inn or tavern, but possibly with a circus, at a theater. In addition, your performance makes you something of a local figure. when strangers recognize you in a town where you have performed, they typically take a liking to you.
Suggested Characteristics
Showman are performers at heart. They have to be able to capture and hold an audience's attention, so they tend to have flamboyant or forceful personalities.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | Everything has its place and there is a place for everything. |
| 2 | I am not comfortable unless there is chaos all around me. |
| 3 | Everyone around me must be happy. If there is even one frown, I will do all I can to make it a smile. |
| 4 | I am always performing for a crowd, even when it is the crowd of one. |
| 5 | Feels at home in a crown on and off the stage. |
| 6 | When the show is not on, I am a very private person. |
| 7 | Eternally optimistic. It does not matter what the crowd thinks, I am going to keep performing as long as there is a crowd. |
| 8 | Crowd pleaser. I feed off of the crowds energy. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Inform. People watching my performance leave informed and more enlightened. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Chaos. The show has to be fresh and different every time and I cannot be bound by a script. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Charity. I perform for crowds and the proceeds go to a good cause. (Good) |
| 4 | Greed. I trick my crowds into believing or paying me for my performance. (Evil) |
| 5 | Narcissism. All eyes on me, all the time. I crave all the attention. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Influence. I want everyone to see the world as I do. (Good/Evil) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tough act to follow. I am trying to follow the footsteps of another. |
| 2 | They will know my name. |
| 3 | I suffer from deep loss and the show allows me to continue living. |
| 4 | My show is only possible because of someones help. I will repay their kindness. |
| 5 | The cast of the show depends on me, I cannot let them down. |
| 6 | The crowd needs me, I cannot let them down. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I cannot 'turn it off' I always perform even when it is not appropriate. |
| 2 | I compulsively selling my show and wares. Did you know I have a show coming up where you can by my magic do-dad. |
| 3 | Everything must be a show. When coming up with a plan, I turn it into a performance. |
| 4 | You cannot tell when my show personality ends and the real me begins. |
| 5 | Someone died or got seriously hurt during my show. I live with that loss every day. |
| 6 | I care not for the ill affects that my show causes. |
While many Showmen influence people or part their crowds of coin, the Swindler does it with particular deception. They do not care about ethics or code; they care about their cause or coin and will use any means necessary to obtain it.
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