Barber (5e Background)

Barber

Sweeney Todd (2007)

So you cut hair for a living. You handle the tools and such, possibly within your own shop. Hitting the road, you no longer have that established security. Maybe you left to go find more clients. Perhaps some bank closed you out of business. Whatever the reason, you retain your craft with dignity on the road and work where you can find it.

A barber is typically meticulous. They want their clients looking their best. So when they end up with a bad hair day after an appointment, chances are that you didn't like them. Barbers have an eye for detail and things out of place, be it a strand of loose hair or a murder weapon. Since this is more of a job than an actual background, consider additional supplements to properly flesh out your character.

Skill Proficiencies: Perception, Sleight of Hand

Tool Proficiencies: Barber's Tools

Languages: Any one of your choice

Equipment: Barber's tools, a set of common clothes, a thin blanket, 3 fastener pins, and a pouch containing 5 gp.

Gossip

People really do talk often to their barbers and stylists. It's too awkward otherwise to just sit as you get trimmed and prettied up. Different types of gossip float around different barbers.

d4	Gossip
1	Housewives' Prattle
2	Local News
3	Underworld Whispers
4	Privileged Information

Feature: Rumor Mill

You have a knack for picking out useful information from what your clients tell you, and for piecing together information churned out by the rumor mill. Because of this, you are practically an amateur spymaster. Maybe you intend to blackmail your clients, or maybe you just like knowing everything. Sometimes, people will willingly just let slip something from their tongues around you.

Alternate Feature: Barber Tools

Because of the known nature of your job requiring sharp objects, it is almost expected that you carry with you this kind of tool. As such, guards and any other sentries who are aware of your occupation are lenient on you when you carry improvised weapons like scissors or shears. They feel less antsy with you having those kinds of weapons and will assume it is probably for your work. Therefore, they are also less likely to confiscate your "tools".

Suggested Characteristics

Because this is mainly a job, you have a lot of freedom regarding what kind of barber you want to have as a character.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I like to just throw myself into work.
2	I prefer to listen rather than talk.
3	I am an easy-going laborer.
4	I like everything done only my way.
5	I prefer that everyone keep their hands to themselves and their own belongings.
6	If you can't pay in full, don't even ask.
7	I often appear deep in thought as I work.
8	I always know the latest trends and am sporting the latest hairstyle.

d6	Ideal
1	Career. A job is fulfillment. (Any)
2	Happiness. If my customer leaves happy, I'm happy. (Good)
3	Conversation. Is it a bad thing to live for gossip? (Neutral)
4	Demon Barber. I like to cut things... (Evil)
5	Payment. I'm expecting compensation; no more, no less, than the service I rendered. (Lawful)
6	Prankster. I can make you look bad or good as I please! (Chaotic)

d6	Bond
1	I treat all my customers like family.
2	There is one client I hope to get close to...
3	Patrons are to be treated in a professional manner at all times.
4	People seem to me sometimes as just mounds of hair and fleshy bags of blood that can scream.
5	Everyone is essentially a medium for me to express my art through!
6	My reputation must never be besmirched.

d6	Flaw
1	I am far too invested in my work to care about anything else...
2	WHAT CAN I SAY EXCEPT YOU'RE WELCOME~
3	I take a secret joy in "accidentally" knicking customers, especially rude ones.
4	I have a tendency to spill secrets at the worst times
5	I am such a chatterbox.
6	Because I'm so used to gossip, sometimes I pry too deeply into others' personal affairs

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