Prisoner (5e Background)
Prisoner[edit]
You know nothing but a life of confinement. For as long as you can remember you have had to fight, scavenge, or intimidate others for food, basic needs, and survival. Growing up you have seen the worst that the world has to offer and you have lived with murderers, rapists, and criminal masterminds. Whether you have recently escaped prison or are still there you have experiences few can claim and they have molded you into what you are now, ask yourself the following questions;
How did you end up in prison?
How long have you been there?
What of your life before prison?
What type and where was the prison?
How has your experiences shaped you as a person?
Note: this background is tailored to more barbaric, fantasy prisons, however it can be modified for more modern campaigns as well.
Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation, Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Dice Set
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A dice set, a prison uniform, a small trinket, 2gp
Feature: City Underbelly[edit]
You have connections to almost all illegal organizations and guilds in the city that your prison was in and surrounding countryside. You can invoke favors and connections to possibly gain safe lodging, send messages, or other favors from some organizations, but they may want something in return.
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
The hardship of life in prison can change a person but others are molded by it. They know them must fight for what they can get and know how far they can push the rules without negative consequences. This may push some to more chaotic alignments while others decide they want to outgrow their hardships and favor more lawful ones.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I believe that I must earn that which is mine. |
| 2 | I dislike those who use their power to lord over the weak. |
| 3 | I protect fiercely anything or anyone I hold dear. |
| 4 | I hate to be insulted and will confront anyone who would do so. |
| 5 | I hate planning and prefer to rush into combat. |
| 6 | I only talk when I find it necessary to say something. |
| 7 | I respect anyone who has proven themselves a better fighter than me. |
| 8 | I hoard trophies and small objects that I have earned or found. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Life. My time and life in prison should be experienced by no one. (Law) |
| 2 | Freedom. Laws that oppress the people are unjust and should be destroyed. (Chaos) |
| 3 | Friendship. Material goods are unimportant, friendship has worth. (Good) |
| 4 | Might. The strongest are meant to rule. (Evil) |
| 5 | Self. I am myself and no one can change that or take it away. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Aspiration. I seek to prove that I am the best at all I do. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I must protect those who protected me during my time in prison. |
| 2 | I owe a favor to a powerful crime lord. |
| 3 | I wish revenge on those who put me in prison. |
| 4 | I wish to reconnect with an old friend that managed to escape. |
| 5 | Others should not live the life I did and I will do anything to make sure they do not. |
| 6 | I have learned a dangerous secret and there are those who will kill me to keep it such. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I love pushing people’s limits to see them snap. |
| 2 | Now that I am out I am a little too enamored by the luxuries offered. |
| 3 | I challenge those in positions of power in attempts to increase my social rank. |
| 4 | I steal for basic needs even when I don’t need to. |
| 5 | I am completely oblivious to etiquette and normal social interaction. |
| 6 | Now that I am out I find I like it better on the inside. |
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