
You are an experienced criminal with a history of breaking the law. You have spent a lot of time among other criminals and still have contacts within the criminal underworld. You’re far closer than most people to the world of murder, theft, and violence that pervades the underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society.
- Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Stealth
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, thieves’ tools
- Equipment: A crowbar, a set of dark common clothes including a hood, and a pouch containing 15 gp
There are many kinds of criminals, and within a thieves’ guild or similar criminal organization, individual members have particular specialties. Even criminals who operate outside of such organizations have strong preferences for certain kinds of crimes over others. Choose the role you played in your criminal life, or roll on the table below.
d8 | Criminal Specialty |
---|---|
1 | Blackmailer |
2 | Burglar |
3 | Enforcer |
4 | Fence |
5 | Highway robber |
6 | Hired killer |
7 | Pickpocket |
8 | Smuggler |
You have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as your liaison to a network of other criminals. You know how to get messages to and from your contact, even over great distances; specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you.
Suggested Characteristics
Criminals might seem like villains on the surface, and many of them are villainous to the core. But some have an abundance of endearing, if not redeeming, characteristics. There might be honor among thieves, but criminals rarely show any respect for law or authority.
d8 | Personality Trait |
---|---|
1 | I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong. |
2 | I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me. |
3 | The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuable—or where such things could be hidden. |
4 | I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy. |
5 | I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. |
6 | I don’t pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. |
7 | The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can’t do it. |
8 | I blow up at the slightest insult. |
d6 | Ideal |
---|---|
1 | Honor. I don’t steal from others in the trade. (Lawful) |
2 | Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic) |
3 | Charity. I steal from the wealthy so that I can help people in need. (Good) |
4 | Greed. I will do whatever it takes to become wealthy. (Evil) |
5 | People. I’m loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I care. (Neutral) |
6 | Redemption. There’s a spark of good in everyone. (Good) |
d6 | Bond |
---|---|
1 | I’m trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor. |
2 | My ill-gotten gains go to support my family. |
3 | Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back. |
4 | I will become the greatest thief that ever lived. |
5 | I’m guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it. |
6 | Someone I loved died because of a mistake I made. That will never happen again. |
d6 | Flaw |
---|---|
1 | When I see something valuable, I can’t think about anything but how to steal it. |
2 | When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money. |
3 | If there’s a plan, I’ll forget it. If I don’t forget it, I’ll ignore it. |
4 | I have a “tell” that reveals when I’m lying. |
5 | I turn tail and run when things look bad. |
6 | An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. I’m okay with that. |
Although your capabilities are not much different from those of a burglar or smuggler, you learned and practiced them in a very different context: as an espionage agent. You might have been an officially sanctioned agent of the crown, or perhaps you sold the secrets you uncovered to the highest bidder.

I find it strange that this background gives you proficiency in thieves tools but doesn't start you out with them, instead gives you a crowbar for some reason.
Good point! I came up with an awesome character with this Criminal background. He is a Half-Elf Sorcerer of a gold dragon bloodline. Using it for my first game of D&D!
*ahem* *loud trumpet blast signifying an announcement* The rules are suggestions. The wonderful thing about DND is if you don't like a certain thing and your dm agrees, just change it for your game :) Have fun!
Noticing that with the Criminal/Spy background, you can't actually pick your specialty. There is no field to do so.
I’m noob
Yes you can, it's just more fluff than mechanical.
It's a bit odd they didnt include Theives' Cant as a language with this. I'd take that over the game set proficiency. But yeah I'd say the reason for no tools is cause most people choosing it were assumed to be rogues who will start with them automatically, though having a spare set is not a bad thing. I'd assume most DMs would be okay giving that, if not trading out the crowbar for it.
Does anyone know why they put the Criminal background and the Spy background together? That has always confused me.
This is because they are very similar and give the same items and proficiency
That makes sense. Thanks!
Do you think this background could work for more of a detective-type character?
Perhaps retooled slightly. Swap deception for perception/investigation, and change the specialty and flaw for the sake of flavor. Consult your DM for any changes you want to make.
No defiantly not you should choose Soldier but, your specialty is Officer. Detective work is not the work for a thief.
I meant from the perspective of proficiencies and equipment, but with retooled flavor text. This was conceptually based on the fact that detectives are typically rogues.
You're right, Detective Work is more of a job for a Specialist in such things, like a Spy.
Officers are actually outranked by Spies by the way, as a Spy would have the clearance level of at least a Major.
Because you're trained in picking locks, but you don't usually need to Pick the locks so much as just break em open and invite yourself in. From the Spy's perspective; the Crowbar is for Interrogations.
and to answer the guy as to why you don't get Thieves' Cant as a language; you're either a Spy, which means you wouldn't use Thieves' Cant, you'd use a secure line, or you're a Criminal, more akin to the Mob or Bank Robbers.
would criminal or guild artisan be better for a mafia style group? my group is playing a 1920's style ravnica setting, and were all part of an "elevanth" guild.
You could use criminal & pick smuggler as Criminal Specialty
Agreed
Trying to make a rogue with this background. When I get to selecting tool proficiencies thieves' tools is not an option. Why? Why does it even give you an option since it says you automatically have proficiency with thieves' tools?