Tax Collector

They say that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. In the case of the latter, the various governments which levy those taxes must have someone to collect those funds from their citizens. These tax collectors may travel near or far depending on the setting, but they are all skilled in persuading, coaxing, cajoling, and coercing people into turning over some of their money in order to fulfill their civic duty in the form of paying their taxes.

Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation, Persuasion

Languages: Two of your choice

Equipment: A ledger for tracking your collections, a leather money belt, a document verifying your authority to collect taxes, a set of traveler’s or fine clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp.

Feature: Unpopular, but Official

You have a reputation within your jurisdiction as a tax collector. When dealing with agents of the government you serve, you are sometimes (at the GM’s discretion) afforded a bit of extra leeway when they recognize you as a civil servant to the same powers whom they serve. Additionally, citizens who fall under your jurisdiction will typically give you a wide berth, preferring to avoid you and your activities rather than engaging with you, for fear that incidental contact with you might result in their purses being lightened by the few coins they might happen to owe to the governing body.

Fleshing Things Out

Some questions to consider when determining how this background applies to your character: How much and how far are you used to traveling to collect taxes? What is your preferred approach to your duty? Do you enjoy your job?

How do you feel about the people you collect from? What lengths are you willing to go to in order to collect taxes from those who are unwilling? How do you feel about the government you serve?

You should also consider what caused you to take up the role of an adventurer. Did your activities as a tax collector lead you into a life of adventure? Or did your adventures set you onto the path of a collector of taxes? Are you questing for something that will help you with your job? Were you pulled into adventure while trying to fulfill your duty? Or perhaps your adventures put you in a position where you must collect taxes for some reason. Are you in charge of a territory and must personally collect the taxes you chose to levy?

d8 Personality Trait
1 Happiness is a full belly and warm feet.
2 I was once chased by a dog thiiiiiiis big, I swear!
3 Everyone has their story, and I like to hear them all.
4 The only thing better than gold is more gold.
5 I’ve never met a stranger.
6 I have impeccable manners at all times.
7 I love to travel to new places and see new things.
8 I’ve been known to roll my eyes at foolish people.
d6 Ideal
1 Greater Good. When everyone contributes to the community, the greater good can thrive. (Good)
2 Greed. Any excuse to take money from others is fine by me. (Evil)
3 Duty. Everyone must pay their due. (Lawful)
4 Change. Change is necessary, but unfortunately, lasting change doesn’t come free. (Chaotic)
5 Indifference. No, I don’t care what the money is being used for, and neither should you. (Neutral)
6 Currency. Money makes the world go ‘round. (Any)
d6 Bond
1 I started collecting taxes as a punishment for a crime I committed.
2 No one likes a tax collector. I take comfort in coin.
3 I hope that if I keep this up, they will never find out who I really am.
4 I’ll never forget that time I got robbed. Or any of the other times.
5 Where I’m from, the tax collector is a sacred duty.
6 I met the love of my life while making my rounds collecting taxes.
d6 Flaw
1 I take offense to the smallest slights.
2 It takes a monumental effort for me to trust anyone.
3 I assume everyone feels the same way I do about things.
4 Every word I say is a half truth if it isn’t an outright lie.
5 I complain about even minor inconveniences.
6 I’m convinced that I’m the only competent one wherever I find myself.
Section 15: Copyright Notice

The Big Book of Backgrounds Copyright 2019, P.B. Publishing, Phil Beckwith, and Cody Faulk.

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