Vaquero (5e Background)
Vaquero[edit]
A vaquero, also known as a cowboy, is an animal herder who tends livestock on ranches, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. Cowboys have become a figure of special significance and legend. A subtype, called a wrangler, specifically tends the horses used to work cattle. In addition to ranch work, some cowboys work for, or participate in, rodeos. Others have chosen to be outlaws and gunslingers, choosing to make their money rustling livestock and robbing banks and caravans. Due to these criminals, many vaqueros find themselves pulling security duty, patrolling the land and defending the herd from theft, or chasing down rustlers or bandits who have stolen from them.
Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling and Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles(land) and Harmonica (or other musical instrument)
Equipment: Wrangler's Pack (5e Equipment), a set of traveler's clothes, a good luck trinket (choose one or use the d100 chart in the PHB), harmonica (or other musical instrument), small satchel containing 15gp.
Tradition[edit]
Every cowboy has a reason and a purpose. You don't live out here for nothing.
| d12 | Tradition |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rodeo Cowboy |
| 2 | Livestock Rustler |
| 3 | Sheriff |
| 4 | Rancher |
| 5 | Missionary |
| 6 | Vigilante |
| 7 | Outlaw |
| 8 | Revolutionary |
| 9 | Prospector |
| 10 | Visionary |
| 11 | Wrangler |
| 12 | Foreman |
Feature: Ranch Hand[edit]
When you need to, you can secure free room and board at a ranch, plantation or farm for yourself and your adventuring companions. It could be a ranch you have worked at before or another that you have good relations with. In return for free room and board, you and your companions are expected to assist the workers with an honest days work.
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have become accustomed to living life on the range. |
| 2 | Despite my gruff exterior, I'm actually very polite and respectful. |
| 3 | I am confident and tender, but not afraid to defend the defenseless. |
| 4 | I have an uncanny love for animals. |
| 5 | I am considered strange by my brethren. |
| 6 | I have fought in many battles, but my days of war are behind me now. |
| 7 | With my past anchored firmly behind me, I wander the desert aimlessly in search of a higher calling. |
| 8 | Lesser creatures owe me for protection. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Soldier of Fortune. I have no code and work for the highest payer. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Blood. I killed someone during a bank robbery and liked it. (Evil) |
| 3 | Lone Ranger. I'm attempting to bring law, order and peace to this land. (Lawful Good) |
| 4 | Solitude. After many years of sailing the seas I decided to seek a quieter life on my own.(Neutral) |
| 5 | Money. The money ran out at home, so I set out to make my own fortune. (Neutral Good) |
| 6 | Retribution. Criminals and outlaws must pay for their crimes, even if the payment is in blood. (Chaotic) |
| 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 crave fighting. |
| 2 | I am obsessed with gold and jewels. |
| 3 | I blindly follow my faith. |
| 4 | I don't care for other, lesser, races. |
| 5 | I drink and gamble until I'm broke and imprisoned. |
| 6 | I tend to not think before I act. |
| 7 | I am extremely superstitious. |
| 8 | I love women (or men). |
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