Delinquent (5e Background)
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Delinquent[edit]
You are (or recently were) a student of a prestigious youth academy, but to your teachers' chagrin, your ego seems to be a higher priority than your studies. Delinquents are skilled at manipulating the crowds that tend to form around them, but their tactics may vary, from intimidation to insults to seduction. Whatever your tactics, you always have a goal in mind, and you easily fixate on someone if you perceive them as being in your way. You have obvious disdain for authority figures, as well as anyone else who gets between you and what you want. This self-importance is apparent in the way you speak, dress, and carry yourself, even to those who don't know your reputation.
Most people don't know that your attitude is an act, hiding your true goals or feelings. In any case, you don't react well to being cornered. You're accustomed to having a small group of friends around to keep things going according to plan, and without backup, you've been known to take things too far.
Skill Proficiencies: You are proficient in Insight and one skill of your choice from the following: Intimidation, Persuasion, Deception, Stealth.
Tool Proficiencies: You are proficient in either Thieves' Tools or Improvised Weapons of any kind. You are also proficient in one gaming set of your choice.
Equipment:
- A school uniform
- A set of common clothes
- One textbook on a subject of your choice
- Parchment, pen and ink
- One gaming set of your choice
- A coin pouch containing 15gp
Manipulation Tactics[edit]
Tactics usually vary from one delinquent to the next. Some are bullies, harassing and intimidating their way through most obstacles. Some are class clowns, using humor and a laid-back attitude to sneakily get their way when the target's defenses are down. Some are promiscuous, flirting their way to their goals. What do you do to sway a crowd in your favor?
(Note: It is possible for a delinquent to use more than one of these tactics, but it may be more difficult to roleplay. Work with your DM to decide what is appropriate for your character's backstory and for the campaign.)
| d6 | Specialization |
|---|---|
| 1 | Basic Bully. You rely on physical intimidation to get your way. You hold little respect among scholars, but athletes and coaches want to see the extent of your capabilities. (Example: Bakugo Katsuki from My Hero Academia) |
| 2 | Nepo Baby. Your family has strong ties to a powerful faction, criminal network, or political party. You leverage this community influence to sway your targets via threats or promises of power. Ties to this faction will influence the way others perceive you, even when you aren't targeting them with a threat. Others' interactions with you may reveal their opinions of your family. (Example: Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter) |
| 3 | Good Looks and Gossip. You look good, and you know it. Your attractiveness and confidence has made you a fashion leader among your classmates, earning you a clique of loyal trend-followers. If someone gets too close to seeing what you're up to, a wink and a shift in posture often throws them off the trail. You trade extensively in rumors, and the things you know could end careers. (Example: Regina George from Mean Girls) |
| 4 | Class Clown. You easily break tension in a room by cracking a joke. Your laid-back attitude doesn't earn you any favors from teachers, but your classmates genuinely like you and will help you given the chance. Underneath your casual exterior, you have a powerfully analytic mind that sees a clear line to follow to your goal. You know how people think, and it's not too difficult to change someone's opinion without their awareness. (Example: Marco from Animorphs) |
Feature: Bad Reputation[edit]
Your reputation precedes you; many people outside your school have heard about your delinquent tendencies, and this will affect their opinion of you. Students may fear you or look up to you, depending on how recently they've been one of your targets-- or how easily they see through your facade. Those who fear you will do what you say with little pressure, and those who love you will assist however they can. Authority figures, however, are likely to be harder on you if they know your reputation. Teachers largely see you as a nuisance, but a few acknowledge the skills that earned your following and may try to help you pursue your potential.
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
Delinquents vary in personality, from brash to catty to quiet, but all delinquents share a similar self-serving focus on their goals. Their bonds and ideals tend to be affected by their sharp knowledge of hierarchy and social networks. Delinquents tend to crack under pressure in a number of different ways; keep this in mind when deciding on your flaws.
Personality Traits[edit]
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | Despite appearances, I work very hard to ace my lessons. |
| 2 | I tend to speak loudly so everyone knows what I think of them. |
| 3 | Most of my power and connections are at school. Out in the world, I may be surprised at my unimportance. |
| 4 | You wouldn't know it, but I have a soft spot for small, fluffy animals. |
| 5 | I'm good at what I do, but I'd always rather be sleeping. |
| 6 | People fear my presence whenever I walk down the halls. Mostly because I always have a weapon on me. |
| 7 | |
| 8 |
Ideals[edit]
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fame. I know I'm the best, and I want everyone else to know it too. (Any) |
| 2 | Power. I want to be at the top of the ladder. If anyone tries to surpass me, I will strike them down. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Intuition. I think best in the spur of the moment, and I trust my gut more than I trust the people around me. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Commitment. I know exactly what I want, and I find indecisiveness irritating. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Greater Good. My goal is for the greater good, even if others don't see it. I'll push forward regardless of personal cost. (Good) |
| 6 | <-Ideal->. <-Description-> (<-Alignment->) |
Bonds[edit]
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am fixated on the rival who has repeatedly gotten in my way. |
| 2 | A previous upperclassman taught me everything I know. I swear to surpass them someday. |
| 3 | A victim of mine became more powerful than me, and I'm determined to defeat them again. |
| 4 | My gang is always there to back me up, no matter the circumstances. |
| 5 | |
| 6 |
Flaws[edit]
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | If someone outpaces me, it rocks me to my core. |
| 2 | I constantly worry that my lackeys are conspiring against me. |
| 3 | When backed into a corner, my natural destructive tendencies are poorly controlled, and I hurt myself and those I care about. |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 |
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