TOWNSFOLK A CHARACTER BACKGROUND FOR THE REST OF US

CREDITS
Designer: Kittenhugs
Last updated January 16, 2016

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Townsfolk Background
This background provides some flavor and personality
suggestions for the civilians of a medieval fantasy setting.
Though they had a role in life determined by their family, a
simple townsperson may sometimes pick up the sword,
the bow, or the wand, sometimes for little more reason
than that they can.
Townsfolk
Your life before adventure was altogether unremarkable.
Your parents were neither rich nor poor by relative terms.
You never starved, but you did not live in luxury. As you
became an adult, your family secured you a place of work
and a future of menial but worthwhile labor.
However, at some point in this boring existence,
something changed. You heard the call to adventure.
Whether by seeing some strange sight, the inspiring words
of passerby, or the discovery of an adventurer’s lost grave,
you trained and studied before leaving for destinations
unknown.
It is not often that the peasants of rural towns leave
the comfort of everyday life. Most think leaving the
confines of familiarity to face monstrous creatures and
untold peril is insanity. Your parents and relatives
probably think you’ve gone mad. But, unfettered by their
words, you choose to venture out into a world of danger.
Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, plus your choice of one
from among Athletics, Animal Handling, Medicine, or
Survival
Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan’s tools, one type of
gaming set
Equipment: A set of hand-me-down traveling clothes, a
trinket reminding you of home (a lucky horseshoe, a bent
coin, a broken arrow, a small straw doll, or several pressed
flowers), a set of artisan’s tools you are proficient in, and a
belt pouch containing 10 gp
Family Trade
Your family had its own niche to fill in your home town.
You and yours contributed to the wellbeing of the area,
providing services across generations. Choose their trade,
or roll on the table below.
1d8 Family Trade
Trading of goods, such as small-time
1
merchants or shop keeps
Farming
2
3 Crafting, such as smiths or wagon-makers
4 Hunting, ranging, trapping, or fishing
5 Apothecary or traditional medicine
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6 Ranching and animal husbandry
7 Construction and masonry
8 Logging or mining
Feature: Talk of the Trade
Your youth was spent at least partially in training to help
your parents and family. You know all the jargon of your
family’s trade. People of a similar trade take kindly to you,
sometimes giving you small gifts or letting them stay with
them for a night or two. Some may even give you a
discount on their goods, should they sell them.
Suggested Characteristics
Peasants are usually simple folk, with a simple view of the
world. Most see things in black and white. Questioning
one’s upbringing is usually out of the question, but some
keep some rather unpopular opinions. Such people keep
their opinions to themselves. Their worldviews are rarely
challenged, making such rural folk prone to
hardheadedness.
1d6 Personality Trait
1 I take great joy in life’s simple pleasures: a pint
of beer and a fine meal mean the world to me.
2 I don’t much care for sitting around and
talking about doing things when I could be out
doing those things.
3 I take the time to hear people out before
passing judgment. I expect others to do the
same.
4 My god has guided me my entire life, in ways I
couldn’t image. I live my life as close to their
word as possible.
Despite the adventuring life, I’m still
5
enthusiastic about my family’s trade and can’t
help but go on about it when I can.
6 I am always trying to help others out, even
when my help may not be wanted.
1d6 Ideal
1 Kindness. I was taught as a child that all
people should be treated kindly. (Good)
2 Respect. You should always respect your
seniors, be it by age or skill. (Lawful)
3 Freedom. People should be free to do what
they want. Don’t tread on me! (Chaotic)
4 Retribution. Any slight should be answered in
kind. Disrespect will never be tolerated. (Evil)
5 Truth. Lying and cheating will get you
nowhere. (Neutral)
6 Destiny. I am destined for something great.
What that is has yet to be seen. (Any)
TOWNSFOLK 2
 1d6 Bond
1 Even though I left them, I love my family with
all my heart. I would never forgive myself if
something happened to them while I was away.
2 I try to honor the person that inspired me to be
an adventurer in everything I do.
3 There are people who would prey on the simple
folk I grew up with. I refuse to stand by and let
them.
4 The love of my life is still back there, living a
lonesome life. I swear to return to them when I
can.
5 I must keep track of my adventures, so that
future generations can be inspired like I was.
6 There are great riches out there that could
better my home town. I refuse to let my future
children grow up in anything less than luxury.

1d6 Flaw
1 I am fiercely embarrassed by my lowly origins.
2 My family and friends disowned me when I
left, and my grudge against them for that
refuses to fade.
3 Arguing with me is like arguing with a brick
wall.
4 My limited life experience makes me slow to
understand many things.
5 I constantly feel out of place. I am so very far
from home.
6 I take offense at the smallest slight.

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