Folk Hero

Skill Proficiencies:

Tool Proficiencies:

Equipment:

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.

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A lord rescinded an unpopular decree after I led a symbolic act of protest against it.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.

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?

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)

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.

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.