You are not a warrior or a Criminal whose life is full of adventures, the one who is well known among his people. But you are a farmer or a common person who works to earn livelihood then all of a sudden, you find your purpose or some Tyrant made you stand up and speak up for yourself or for your people.
This is what background is for a folk hero. In the DnD 5e background folk hero is a common person who is humble in nature. His presence in the village is admired by all and everyone love him for what he is-a person of good nature but his fate is determined as he will stand against a tyrant or fight with a monster all alone by himself for his folks and this act of his will make him a hero, a champion among his people.
Your Skill Proficiencies
Your skill proficiencies include Animal handling and surviving in different situations.
Your Equipment
The Equipment that you will carry is a set of artisan tools which will of your choice, a shovel, an iron pot, a set of common clothes, and a belt of a pouch containing 10 GP.
What is the defining event for a Folk Hero?
For a common person to become a hero; he requires and life-changing and defining events that can pave his path for becoming a Hero. The same is the case for a folk hero. Previously, working as a farmer, gravedigger, miner, or doing any other work as a skillful person. You were living a common life and you need some sort of an event that will make you do greater things for others.
Defining events for a folk hero according to the book:
| D10 | Defining Event |
| 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 farm implements as weapons against a tyrant’s soldiers. |
| 8 | A lord rescinded an unpopular decree after I led a a symbolic act of protection against it.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. |
Feature: Rustic Hospitality
Now you have decided to do great things in life which on many occasions can compel you to take shelter among your folks, which makes rustic hospitality your Feature. You can hide or take shelter at their place. They will hide you from those who are looking for you and will also protect you against the Law but they will not risk their lives for you.
Suggested Characteristics
Personality Trait
| D8 | Personality Trait |
| 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 am 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? |
Ideal
| D6 | Ideal |
| 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 am not. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Destiny Nothing and no one can steer me away from my higher calling. (Any) |
Bond
| D6 | Bond |
| 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. |
Flaw
| D6 | Flaw |
| 1 | The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed. |
| 2 | I am 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 drinks. |
| 5 | Secretly, I believe that things would be better if I were a tyrant lording over the land. |
| 6 | I have trouble trusting my allies. |
Why roleplay a folk hero background?
In my point of view, The Background of a folk hero is interesting one as it sounds interesting that a person from nowhere, who is not known by many people, all of a sudden becomes a Hero. Whether it stands against a Tyrant or fights a monster or makes your people learn how to fight with the army of the oppressor with the farming tools sounds really exciting.
