UA:Character Background: Underworld Background

This material is published under the OGL

Underworld Background

The teeming cities of the d20 game world provide opportunities for countless adventures. The activities associated with this background represent moneymaking efforts on the wrong side of the law. A character may operate solo, as part of a small gang, or as part of a large thieves' guild or organized crime family. Some characters with underworld backgrounds use a false name to attain the benefits of their reputation while avoiding entanglements with law enforcement.

The underworld offers few chances for formal recognition (reflected by the relatively high recognition check DCs in this background), although some criminal syndicates have ranks and titles. The notion of underworld recognitioin may not be appropriate for every setting.

Each activity in this background is associated with a particular skill- the one mentioned first in the entry's Skills column. A character's ranks in that skill provide a bonus on recognition checks.

Underworld Background Activities

d%	Activity	Class	Feats	Skills	Gear	Contacts	Rep	Recognition
0-12	Street Crime	Rogue	Deft Hands, Dodge	Escape Artist, Tumble, Sleight of Hand, Move Silently, Hide	Wondrous item that aids movement	Information	+0	Rank, DC 32
13-23	Protection racket	Rogue	Combat Expertise, Improved Feint	Intimidate, Sense Motive, Bluff, Diplomacy, Search	Weapon	Influence	+1	Rank, DC 30
24-32	Gambling	Rogue	Negotiator, Persuasive	Bluff, Sense Motive, Intimidate, Gather Information, Forgery	Magic item based on gem or jewelry	Influence	+1	Rank, DC 30
33-44	Assassination	Rogue or assassin ^1	Improved Critical, Stealthy	Hide, Move Silently, Tumble, Climb, Jump	Weapon	Skill	+1	Rank, DC 30
45-57	Burglary	Rogue or shadow dancer ^1	Nimble Fingers, Acrobatic	Climb, Open Lock, Move Silently, Search, Balance	Wondrous item that aids stealth	Skill	+0	Rank, DC 30
58-70	Robbery	Rogue	Weapon Finesse, Quick Draw	Intimidate, Disguise, Bluff, Use Rope, Hide	Weapon	Information	+1/2	Rank, DC 28
71-81	Con games	Rogue or bard	Deceitful, Persuasive	Bluff, Sense Motive, Diplomacy, Forgery, Disguise	Wondrous item that creates illusion	Influence	+1/2	Rank, DC 28
82-90	Fence	Rogue	Diligent, Negotiator	Appraise, Sense Motive, Bluff, Knowledge (local), Gather Information	Any	Influence	+1	Rank, DC 30
91-100	Street fighting	Fighter or rogue	Quick Draw, Combat Reflexes	Intimidate, Sleight of Hand, Bluff, Tumble, Spot	Armor	Skill	+0	Rank, DC 32
1 Indicates a prestige class. Only available if the class is allowed in the camaign.

---

Back to Main Page → Variant Rules → Building Characters