There are various backgrounds in DND 5e. According to your interests and personality, you can choose a criminal background 5e from among these.
Criminal and crime itself is an integral part of society. It prevails in a society where injustice, the asymmetrical distribution of wealth, and anarchy prevails. Criminals are not law-abiding citizens of a society and they break the rule of law to get what they need. They loot, blackmail, abscond, kill, pickpocket people for money which is something that does not conform to the law and is not acceptable in a society of civilized people.
To curtail crimes there are law enforcement agencies that make sure the safety of people and their money and also make sure that justice prevails no matter what. This is what makes a criminal an interesting character for a role-play.
What is Criminal In DND 5e?
Dungeon and Dragons give us an opportunity to roleplay a criminal. Here you can role-play a criminal; role-playing a criminal is not a piece of cake, it is like you not just have to act like a criminal but in fact, you have to think like one and then act accordingly to make it feel more realistic and lively.
In Dnd 5e backgrounds you role-play a criminal as an experienced criminal who has exposed himself to the world of crime since he being too enlightened himself. You have a long history of not abiding by the law and in addition to you have your contact build up with other criminals as well. You have contacts with underground gangs, warlords, and many other people who share your interest. You either work with them or act as a completely isolated individual or as a both it depends upon the scenarios in which you are in. now let’s see what makes a criminal different and interesting to role play it:
| Your skills | Deception and stealth are the skills that you have mastered being a criminal. You have a long experience of it and you are good at deceiving others and seeking a hideout after it. |
| Your tools | A criminal is not complete without his tools; you need tools to do things and you are not hesitant to use them for your advantage. Your tools include (a type of gaming set and other thieves’ tools) which you are good at. |
| Equipment | A crowbar, a set of dark common clothes including a hood, and a pouch containing 15 GP. |
What is D&D 5e Criminal Specialty?
Well, you are a criminal now and you want to do the crime, so, either you will act as an individual criminal or you will carry out your tasks as a part of an organization. In addition to it, you are socialized in one type of crime, and you are known for it. You could be specialized in blackmailing, Enforcing, or you are a Highway robber, hired killer, smuggler. It completely depends upon you in which crime you want to specialize.
| D8 | Specialty |
| 1 | Blackmailer |
| 2 | Burglar |
| 3 | Enforcer |
| 4 | Fence |
| 5 | Highway robber |
| 6 | Hired killer |
| 7 | Pickpocket |
| 8 | Smuggler |
Feature: Criminal Contact 5E
Because you have a long history of carrying out criminal activities either individually or accompanied by others which helps you build up reliable contacts with those who share your interests. This is what helps you in forwarding words or messages to others. You know who is reliable you are in touch with many local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and sailor who takes your messages to a long distance.
Variant Criminal / Spy
A spy is a person who secretly collects information on an organization or a country, using a variety of tools and techniques that are often clandestine and sometimes dangerous. Spies are typically employed by governments or corporations but can be engaged in other forms of work, including for organized crime.
Suggested Characteristics
Personality Trait
| D8 | Personality Trait |
| 1 | I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong. |
| 2 | I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me. |
| 3 | The first thing I do in a new place is noted the locations of everything valuable-or where such things could be hidden. |
| 4 | I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy. |
| 5 | I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. |
| 6 | I do not pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. |
| 7 | The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I cannot do it. |
| 8 | I blow up at the slightest insult. |
Flaw
| D6 | Flaw |
| 1 | When I see something valuable, I can’t think about anything but how to steal it. |
| 2 | When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money. |
| 3 | If there is a plan, I will forget it. If I do not forget it, I will ignore it. |
| 4 | I have a “tell” that reveals when I am lying. |
| 5 | I turn tail and run when things look bad. |
| 6 | An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. I’m okay with that. |
Ideal
| D6 | Ideal |
| 1 | Honor: I don’t steal from others in the trade. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Freedom: Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Charity: I steal from the wealthy so that I can help people in need. (Good) |
| 4 | Greed: I will do whatever it takes to become wealthy. (Evil) |
| 5 | People: I am loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I care. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Redemption: There’s a spark of good in everyone. (Good) |
Bond
| D6 | Bond |
| 1 | I am trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor. |
| 2 | My ill-gotten gains go to support my family. |
| 3 | Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back. |
| 4 | I will become the greatest thief that ever lived. |
| 5 | I am guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it. |
| 6 | Someone I loved died because of a mistake I made. That will never happen again. |
Why it is interesting to role-play a criminal?
Role-playing a criminal background is kind of fun because you are a rebel or the one who is not ready to respect the prevailed law. For that you are not alone, sometimes you act independently while on other occasions you are associated with an organization.
You have contact with those who are like you and they and many others are ready to take your messages from one place to another. Your personality could be like an ordinary man but deep down you are more villainous than you seem to be.
