Poacher

It’s illegal to hunt on lands owned by the nobility, with penalties ranging from dismemberment to death if you’re caught. But when the other choice is certain starvation for you and your family, that’s no choice at all. Not only did you learn to get away with poaching, but you also developed a taste for the thrill of the hunt.

Whether you were captured and escaped, nearly caught and forced to flee, or just wanted to move on to bigger things, you’ve now left behind a life of poaching for one of adventure, hunting bigger and even more dangerous prey.

Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Nature, Survival (two of your choice)

Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit or herbalism kit (one of your choice)

Languages: One of your choice

Equipment: A tool kit you are proficient with, a trophy from a past kill (such as a scale or tooth), a set of traveler’s clothes, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp.

Feature: Black Market

Even though you left it all behind, the world of poaching still thrives. With a coded phrase, you can find out if and where illegal sales occur. Those handling the sales may provide you safe haven or information for the right price.

Suggested Characteristics

Poachers often keep a low profile, though some may operate audaciously out in the open.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I find breaking the law to be exhilarating.
2	I am openly regretful of my past illegal activities and wish to atone properly.
3	I carefully plan every hunt with contingencies for every situation.
4	Money speaks the loudest for me on most decisions.
5	I exude confidence and charisma, which helps mask things I don’t want others to notice.
6	I had to act tough to survive as a poacher, and the habits remain.
7	Being a team player was what made me stay in business for so long.
8	I go to incredible lengths to fulfill a bounty down to the exact letter.

d6	Ideal
1	Uplift. Poverty drove me and countless others to poach, a cycle that must be broken.
2	Wealth. To hunt monsters is to collect riches for oneself.
3	Opportunity. When opportunities arise, jumping at the call ensures the best results.
4	Influence. The goods I sold brought me favor among society’s movers and shakers.
5	Balance. Not all kills are detrimental to nature. Culling is necessary for a healthy ecosystem.
6	Merit. The ability to take down a monster should be lauded regardless of its legality.

d6	Bond
1	Though they remain criminals, my old colleagues have my loyalty.
2	I know where to find a nearly extinct monster and will guard that knowledge with my life.
3	I swore loyalty to another in exchange for absolution of my old crimes.
4	I must repay a hefty debt before I can put my past behind me.
5	There was one monster we never got to kill, which would have fetched thousands of gold.
6	Another poacher framed me for a kill I did not make, and I must prove my innocence.

d6	Flaw
1	I seldom inform others of my plans and sometimes take off without a word.
2	I spend money as quickly as I earn it.
3	I take only what is worth the most, letting large amounts of useful monster parts go to waste.
4	I disdain those who follow the letter of the law and assume the worst of them.
5	I give up on a target easily if there are too many obstacles in the way.
6	I care about the value of the monster parts to the detriment of my own survival.