You were the most common of commoners - a farmer. You worked on a noble's land or for a company, or your family may have even owned your own small field. You are an expert in your craft on the farm, and take its lifestyle with you where you go. Farmers are a hardy, enduring folk. They work long hours under the sun often doing dirty and exhausting or even disgusting work.
How did you become a farmer, and for how long were you one? What did you do on your farm? Were you the landlord of the farm, or were you just a farmhand? And what caused you to leave that life behind? Was your home destroyed by war? Were you cast out for some crime? Did you flee taxes you could not pay? Were you called to join the local militia or army? Was your home stolen by an unscrupulous rival?
- Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Nature
- Tool Proficiencies: Carpenter's Tools, Land Vehicles
- Languages: None
- Equipment: Carpenter's tools, a shovel, a set of common clothes, 5 days or rations (dried meat or crops from the farm), and a belt pouch containing 5 gp
You have been farming for many years, and gotten very good at what you do. You loved it at times, and at times you hate it. Maybe this is why you left. But what was your job on the farm?
| d8 | Farm Specialization |
|---|---|
| 1 | Herder. You rode around the countryside guiding the livestock from field to field to graze, and guarded them at night. |
| 2 | Livestock Master. You bred and branded livestock for the farm's expansion and sale, and determined when animals were ready for slaughter. You assisted in the birth of new animals and nursed sick ones back to health. |
| 3 | Butcher. You slaughtered animals and prepared their meat and hides for trade. |
| 4 | Field Worker. You strained your back in long days of manual labor tilling the fields and harvesting crops under the sun. |
| 5 | Irrigationist. You managed the flow of streams to your crops, removing blockages and rerouting when too wet. You may have even managed a dam that flooded rice patties. |
| 6 | Handyman. You maintained the fences, farmhouses, carts, and farming equipment for the plot. |
| 7 | Farm Hand. You are new to this farm. You rose early to perform a variety of tasks like milking cows, gathering eggs from chickens, and shoeing horses. Each day, you asked the busiest person how you could help. |
| 8 | Owner. You may have owned a plantation enlisting all of the laborers above, or you may have managed your own small plot of land, working each of the jobs yourself or with the assistance of family. |
For better or for worse, you are just very normal. As long as you are not wielding or wearing flashy equipment, you can easily blend in with the masses. Security checks at city gates or on the road are often brisk and half-hearted, and you can easily get lost in a crowd.
Commoners tend to treat you as if you are a trusted acquaintance, and may reveal some insider knowledge of each town you visit or give you the local's discount on your supper. If you have taken the time to establish a simple relationship with someone, they will more readily come to your defense if you are accused of any crimes, and they may offer their help when you are in need.
Suggested Characteristics
Farmers are often known for doing honest and hard work, but that may not be true for someone who left their life for adventuring. They have certain drive for accomplishments, but also understand the ebb an flow of luck, like the land.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am always the first in my party to wake in the morning. |
| 2 | I keep my gear and supplies highly maintained and always sleep with them within my reach. |
| 3 | I don't know how to read, but I try not to let anyone notice. |
| 4 | I always save up as much as I can, spending and consuming only what I must. |
| 5 | I believe in good and bad omens, but I never know which is which. |
| 6 | I think of myself as a jack of all trades, and often don't realize when I am out of my depth with a topic. |
| 7 | Sometimes I don't which details of farming life don't make for good dinner conversation. |
| 8 | I can go hours without talking, and sometimes the sound of a voice after one of these stretches spooks me. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Help the Needy. There are a lot of hungry mouths in the world, but with enough working hands, they can all be fed. (Good) |
| 2 | Honest Work. I always give my best and come clean when I make mistakes. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Results. Sometimes I cut corners in regrettable ways to get what I want faster. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | My Life Over Theirs. I value my own success more than the health of my laborers and livestock, and often overwork and undervalue my friends. (Evil) |
| 5 | Learning. I can always admit when I don't know something and am ready to ask others for help. I will also always lend a hand to those who ask for it. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Improvement. I am always evaluating myself and my environment looking for ways to make things better. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I will never forget the family that gave me my first farming job. |
| 2 | I love children and want nothing more than to settle down with countless of my own. |
| 3 | Land is more important to me than people, and I spend time every day keeping in touch with it. |
| 4 | I fell in love with the spouse of the person who owned the farm I worked on. |
| 5 | A sheep dog on the farm died protecting his herd and I haven't seen the world the same way since I lost him. |
| 6 | I once worked a season with someone who I grew very close with, and we planned to meet up again, but they never showed. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | There is a horse that I tried to nurse to health for nearly a year, and when I heard it was in line for slaughter, I stole it and never looked back. |
| 2 | I absolutely hate being underground. |
| 3 | I always think my plan is the best. |
| 4 | I hate anyone who never worked hard labor. |
| 5 | I slack off as much as I can, but I always take credit for work that was done under my watch. |
| 6 | I am a coward and will let someone die or take the blame for something that I should be on the line for. |
Comments