Reformed Criminal

You come from a life of crime that you have since left behind. Perhaps you were a burglar, or maybe something more sinister like an assassin. Whatever your previous profession, you now seek to live a different path. You may have left your old life behind entirely, or you might still maintain some contacts from your criminal history. Agents of the law familiar with your previous livelihood may treat you with a disdain because you eluded their punitive judgements, or perhaps, instead, you have garnered their respect by paying your debt to society, and then some. Whatever your reasons and methods for divesting yourself from your criminal past, it stays with you, for better and for worse.

Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Deception, Intimidation, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth.

Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, thieves’ tools

Equipment: A souvenir from your criminal past, a set of traveler’s clothes, the gaming set you choose for this background’s tool proficiency, and a pouch containing 15 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Reformed criminals sometimes reform due to feelings of guilt caused by the consequences of their illegal acts, while others reform in order to avoid endangering families and other loved ones. Whatever the reason for your reformation, there is something about you that made you unable or unwilling to continue your life of crime.

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.