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Folk Hero

Source: 2014 Player's Handbook (5e 2014).

You come from a humble social rank, but you are destined for so much more. Already the people of your home village regard you as their champion, and your destiny calls you to stand against the tyrants and monsters that threaten the common folk everywhere. Source: Player's Handbook

Benefits

Feature Details
Skill Proficiencies Animal Handling
Survival
Tool Proficiencies One type of artisan's tools
vehicles (land)
Languages None
Equipment A set of artisan's tools (one of your choice)
a shovel Value:2gp Weight:5lbs
an iron pot Value:2gp Weight:10lbs
a set of common clothes Value:5sp Weight:3lbs
and a pouch Value:5sp Weight:1lb containing 10gp Features Defining Event 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
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
stole weapons to arm the people. 7 I trained the peasantry to use farm implements as weapons against a tyrant's soldiers. 8 A lord rescinded an unpopular decree after I led a symbolic act of protest against it. 9 A celestial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
was commended for my heroism. 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. 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. Personality Traits 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
always try to find the most equitable solution to arguments. 5 I'm confident in my own abilities
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? Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity
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
no one can steer me away from my higher calling. (Any) Bonds 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. Flaw 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
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.