User:Quincy/Pirate (5e Background)
Description
Pirates roam the seas in ragtag groups taking treasure from just about whoever they can. What led you to piracy? Did you volunteer for this job, or were you forced to when your ship was raided? Were you the captain of the ship, or just another crewmate? Have you left your ship for good, or are you still connected to that world? If you left, why?
Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Animal Handling or Intimidation (choose 2).
Weapon Proficiencies: Scimitar, Rapier, Flintlock rifle and pistol (or crossbows and shortbow if in a campaign without guns)
Equipment: Scimitar OR Rapier, Flintlock Rifle OR Flintlock Pistol OR Hand Crossbow OR Light Crossbow OR Shortbow, Ammunition, Diary, Pirate Clothes
Optional Equipment: Peg Leg, Hook, Eye Patch, Pipe and Tobacco (with flint and steel to light it), Fiddle, Flute, Parrot (perhaps as a familiar)
Type
Pirates come in many different shapes and sizes.
| d6 | Type |
|---|---|
| 1 | Captain |
| 2 | First Mate |
| 3 | Cannon Operator |
| 4 | Fearless Raider |
| 5 | Scary-Looking Looter |
| 6 | Cabin Boy |
Feature: Ahoy, Matey!
You have spent years in the open seas and therefore know how to steer and operate a ship. You also know various port cities across the world, and by experience you have learned what customs are acceptable in the port cities you know. It is easier for you to buy a ship than it is for other people to, and you have advantage on haggling rolls made to purchase a sea-worthy vessel. When in a friendly port city with which you are in good regards, you may find refuge with certain people; they will hide you if it is safe to, but they will not risk their lives for you.
Suggested Characteristics
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a gruff exterior, but inside I am a very gentle person. |
| 2 | I'm always keeping one eye open for my former crewmates. |
| 3 | To deal with the stress of killing innocent people, I have developed a mindset of going into battle blindly following orders. |
| 4 | I keep a parrot on my shoulder and talk to it often, even feeding it some of my own food. |
| 5 | I detest the great beasts of the sea, as my ship was capsized by one years ago. |
| 6 | I secretly can't swim and I am afraid someone might find out. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Treasure is the only thing that really matters. |
| 2 | It is my right to take from others what they do not deserve for themselves. |
| 3 | I'm only trying to make a living. |
| 4 | I enjoy killing other people for treasure, that's why I switched to adventuring! |
| 5 | Being an adventurer and helping others is the only way I can pay for my crimes. |
| 6 | Landlubbers are inferior and I don't mind killing one or three if I feel like it. |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would sacrifice myself for my family. |
| 2 | I will conquer the world. |
| 3 | I will do anything to protect innocent animals from being harmed. |
| 4 | I swear to free every last one of my people that has been enslaved. |
| 5 | Cleansing the world would be easier in a bath of blood. |
| 6 | I seek to find true love and will travel the world doing so. |
| d8 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a peg leg that prevents me from walking properly, and I have a tendency to hit people with it. |
| 2 | I have a hook for a hand. I can't hold things with it very well, but I have a habit of using it to eviscerate my foes. |
| 3 | I have an eye patch that prevents me from seeing normally. It doubles as a sling. |
| 4 | I value treasure above all, even my life. |
| 5 | I have a serious drinking problem. |
| 6 | My temper is as short as a cannon's fuse, and if you anger me, you might not wake up. |
| 7 | I accidentally break things wherever I go, and I'm very socially awkward. |
| 8 | I swear. Like, a LOT. |