Skulker Background

You’ve lived in Skullport for years now—maybe you were born here, maybe you came here willingly, or maybe you’re an escaped slave trying to eke out a life of your own under cover of darkness. One way or another, the Port of Shadows is your home, whether temporary or permanent. This background can also be used to represent characters from other, similarly rough locales in Faerun or other settings. Skill Proficiencies: Stealth, Athletics Tool Proficiencies: One of the following: Ropework Kit, Body Modification Kit, Poisoner’s Kit, or Thieves’ Tools, one type of gaming set (see appendix F for more on these kits). Languages: One of your choice, usually Undercommon. Equipment: A hooded lantern, a hooded cloak with a secret pocket, a dagger, fishing tackle, and 10gp.
Feature: Haven in Dangerous Straits.
If you can make it in Skullport, you can make it anywhere. When in an urban environment, no matter how dangerous, you can always find a reasonably safe hideout, and mediocre food, usually scavenged from the trash, for up to six people including yourself. Alternatively, if your character has survived in Skullport by making friends with a powerful faction, you can use the Safe Haven feature from the Faction Agent in Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide. Suggested Characteristics Skulkers are defined by their sense of self-preservation, a necessary trait which naturally leads to quirks and tics that can give an idea of the kind of person a skulker might be. These traits can be used to describe a skulker as a player character, or to quickly create unique and memorable NPCs in Skullport.
d8 Personality Trait 1 Get it done quiet, don’t make a show of yourself, and don’t rock the boat—that’s the Skulker way. 2 I’m always counting entrances and exits when I come into a building. d8 Personality Trait 3 I’m constantly expecting the Skulls to show up at any moment, even if I’m nowhere near Skullport 4 My sense of humour makes civilized types uncomfortable. Just the way I like it. 5 I never keep my things in one organized location. 6 I always keep my effects prepared for travel. Never know when you’ll need to quickly move out. 7 I get twitchy when people outwardly talk about religion. 8 I maintain an appearance that helped me blend in back home. On the surface though, it just makes me look sketchy. d6 Ideal 1 Freedom. I've seen the worst of what can happen when people's freedoms are restricted, and I won't let it happen elsewhere. (Chaotic) 2 Honour. There are horrible people in the world, and those who lack a code are doomed to become one of them. (Lawful) 3 Belonging. My homeland does not suit me, nor does it define me. But I know I will find somewhere that does. (Neutral)
d6 Ideal 4 Selfishness. You take care of yours, I take care of mine. Don’t expect sympathy from me for your woes. (Evil) 5 Community. When the world is against you, what do you have but the kindness of friends and strangers? (Good) 6 Caution. First and foremost, I am driven by a simple principle: don't die. (Any) d6 Bond 1 A good friend of mine was taken by slavers, and I haven’t seen them since. 2 Skullport may be one big refuse heap, but it’s my home and I’ll defend it to the death. 3 I was once a slave, and still bear a mark put on me by my old owner. 4 Someone close to me is trying desperately to get enough money to leave Skullport and find a better life. I hope to help them. 5 I disappeared without a trace one night and woke up in chains. But surely, someone will come looking for me some day, right? 6 A kind soul put their life on the line for me and asked nothing in return. In a place of such darkness, their light inspires me. d6 Flaw 1 I always look shabby, poor, and down-onmy- luck, no matter how much money I have. 2 I’m always expecting situations to suddenly escalate into violence, so much so that I will sometimes do it myself. 3 I expect everyone to take advantage of any kindness I offer. 4 I never stick to a plan. 5 Whenever someone asks me my name, I impulsively lie. 6 If someone’s being nice to me, it’s because they want something from me.