Highlander

You're an odd combination of warrior and poet.  Whether it is rushing into battle to spill the blood of your foe, or spinning a tale about it afterwards in the warm confines of a tavern, you're not sure which you enjoy more.  You are often brutish and loud, and though you sometimes come off as rude, you feel a love for life and have never met someone you aren't willing to get drunk with.  Still, as much as you enjoy the company of others, you will always long for the lonely highlands, where you can take in the cooler mountain air (and see your enemies before they get close.)   You only have one ideal in life, and all life revolves around that one ideal:  Freedom is very important to you, whether yours or anyone else's.  

Skill Proficiencies: You move through life as both a warrior and bard.  You enjoy both professions equally.  You will dual class as a fighter and a bard, though your bardic pursuits never seem to grow beyond the performing in a tavern (maybe you'll reach 3rd level, but it will take a very long time.)  You are proficient in performing, however, in addition to the specific proficiencies in fighting.  You also have a strong knowledge of weapon lore.  

In the end, you should have ability scores that are equal to or exceed 15 in both Strength] and Charisma.  You should also have at least a 12 in both Dexterity and Constitution.  Choosing this background, you may add a grand total of two points to any of these areas to meet the requirements.

Tool Proficiencies: You are proficient with a single instrument, though you can manage on other instruments of the same type.  

You are proficient in most weapons, though you prefer dealing quick death over finesse.  You will have a weapon of choice, and will almost always use only that weapon.

Languages: You are well versed in the common language, as well as a smattering of elven and dwarvish (enough for basic communication, as long as they speak slowly - think "tourist"), but you can't read or write in either language (unless you know it by another means).

Equipment: You must wear a kilt.  It is the symbol of your clan and you would not be caught in public without it.  Wearing your kilt is appropriate in all situations, whether elbows deep in blood and gore, leading a song in a tavern, working at the anvil, or kneeling before the queen.  You possess a small pack, just large enough for the necessities of life. You will possess, and cherish, one of the following: a flute intricately carved from the bone of a large animal, a sturdy traveler's lute, a simple drum (think tambourine without the jingles), or a set of small bagpipes that belonged to your father.  

Spell List

Being a bard, you have an introduction to the use of magic.  Your preferred cantrips will usually be Light and Message, which you use extensively.  Though you have the ability to learn more, you only ever got around to learning two spells, Cure Wounds and Comprehend Languages.  You see little need to learn much more because those two spells do nearly all you need to accomplish in life.

 

Spell Level	Spells
Cantrip	light, message
1st	comprehend languages, cure wounds

Suggested Characteristics

You are of the wild lands, yet you feel just as at home in the warm confines of a tavern surrounded by celebration and revelry.   You cannot help but entertain with stories and song, especially if your audience is downtrodden and weary.  In battle, you believe in taking the fight to the enemy and facing him/her/it face to face, with a laugh in your throat and the wild lands in your heart.

d6	Personality Trait
1	I find being a part of a fellowship brings more joy than all the gold in the world
2	I am a hopeless romantic, and am always willing to help lovers find each other
3	I love a good story, especially if it is one I can use later. And stretching the truth in favor of entertaining is just fine.
4	Getting into a fight, then sharing drinks with my foe, makes perfect sense.
5	There is no such thing as an insult. I am humored by battle, whether words or swords.
6	When all else fails, go for your weapon . . . even if you haven't tried everything else first.

d8	Flaw
1	My pride comes before the comfort of others.
2	Money is worthless unless you spend it
3	I tend to exaggerate when I tell a story, just for effect.
4	I sometimes forget to use my "inside voice." (I come across as loud, at times)
5	More than sometimes, safety is ignored in pursuit of a good story
6	I can't help helping others even when they want no help
7	I like being the center of attention
8	I distrust, and generally dislike, those who flaunt their wealth or think they are better than others in any way

Contacts

Of course, you feel a blood-kinship to anyone of your clan, and you will defend the honor of anyone from your clan to the death.  You feel kinship to anyone of the highlands and will openly welcome someone who has lived free on the open land.  You will always defend the weak, and those who work hard to earn an honest living.

d2	Contact
1	Clan Chieftain
2	Clan Members