Folk Hero

- Animal Handling, Survival - One type of artisan's tools, vehicles (land) - A set of artisan's tools (one of your choice), a shovel, an iron pot, a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp Feature: Rustic Hospitality. Since you come from the ranks of the common folk, you fit in among them with ease. You can find a place to hide, rest, or recuperate among other commoners, unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them. They will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, though they will not risk their lives for you. Specialty. You previously pursued a simple profession among the peasantry, perhaps as a farmer, miner, servant, shepherd, woodcutter, or gravedigger. But something happened that set you on a different path and marked you for greater things. Choose or randomly determine a defining event that marked you as a hero of the people. d10 | Defining Event 1 | I stood up to a tyrant's agents. 2 | I saved people during a natural disaster. 3 | I stood alone against a terrible monster. 4 | I stole from a corrupt merchant to help the poor. 5 | I led a militia to fight off an invading army. 6 | I broke into a tyrant's castle and stole weapons to arm the people. 7 | I trained the peasantry to use farming implements as weapons against a tyrant's soldiers. 8 | A lord rescinded an unpopular decree after I led a symbolic act of protest against it. 9 | A celestial, fey, or similar creature gave me a blessing or revealed my secret origin. 10 | Recruited into a lord's army, I rose to leadership and was commended for my heroism. Suggested Characteristics. A folk hero is one of the common people, for better or for worse. Most folk heroes look on their humble origins as a virtue, not a shortcoming, and their home communities remain very important to them. d8 | Personality Trait 1 | I judge people by their actions, not their words. 2 | If someone is in trouble, I'm always ready to lend help. 3 | When I set my mind to something, I follow through no matter what gets in my way. 4 | I have a strong sense of fair play and always try to find the most equitable solution to arguments. 5 | I'm confident in my own abilities and do what I can to instill confidence in others. 6 | Thinking is for other people. I prefer action. 7 | I misuse long words in an attempt to sound smarter. 8 | I get bored easily. When am I going to get on with my destiny? d6 | Ideal 1 | Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. (Good) 2 | Fairness. No one should get preferential treatment before the law, and no one is above the law. (Lawful) 3 | Freedom. Tyrants must not be allowed to oppress the people. (Chaotic) 4 | Might. If I become strong, I can take what I want—what I deserve. (Evil) 5 | Sincerity. There's no good in pretending to be something I'm not. (Neutral) 6 | Destiny. Nothing and no one can steer me away from my higher calling. (Any) d6 | Bond 1 | I have a family, but I have no idea where they are. One day, I hope to see them again. 2 | I worked the land, I love the land, and I will protect the land. 3 | A proud noble once gave me a horrible beating, and I will take my revenge on any bully I encounter. 4 | My tools are symbols of my past life, and I carry them so that I will never forget my roots. 5 | I protect those who cannot protect themselves. 6 | I wish my childhood sweetheart had come with me to pursue my destiny. d6 | Flaw 1 | The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed. 2 | I'm convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of failure. 3 | The people who knew me when I was young know my shameful secret, so I can never go home again. 4 | I have a weakness for the vices of the city, especially hard drink. 5 | Secretly, I believe that things would be better if I were a tyrant lording over the land. 6 | I have trouble trusting in my allies.