Background Help for an Older 1st level PC

[JeffK1966]

The group DM proposed a new scenario for us. In the past, we’ve started off our typical long term campaigns as a group of young innocents within the typical teenager starting age range. However, this time around, he wants us to still start at first level, but have the PCs be older and with some experience – he used 50-100 xp as an example. He gave a few sample ideas to give us an idea of what he was talking about – but, one was a fighter that was a member of the town militia for several years. He might have been called upon to defend the town against some goblin raiders a few years back, participated in the search for a young girl kidnapped by bandits, etc. For a mage, it’s easy enough to be an older apprentice of a mage who kept his prized pupil there a bit too long, while for a cleric, it could be that the PC was kept as an acolyte to enforce his humility, etc. However, what would be a good background for an older rogue just starting out? I am suffering from writer’s block, as I can usually crank out a decent background in no time.

Thanks

 

[Mr Fidgit]

first of all, IMHO, 50-100 exp is nowhere near what any PC or NPC should have for years or decades of service (to a church, in the militia, etc.), it should be much, much more. maybe you could suggest getting a few levels of NPC classes to your DM....

as far as an older rogue, it depends on the kind of character you want to create. if you want a 'talker' (good bluff, diplomacy, sense motive) the PC could have been an ambassador, courtier, shrewd merchant, and so on. if you want someone to find/remove traps, a locksmith or trapbuilder would fit the bill. focus on 'awareness' abilities (spot, listen) could be a sentry or militia man. physical skill focus (balance, tumble, perform) could have been an entertainer/acrobat

what kind of character do you want to play?


[edit-spelling, of course ]

 

[JeffK1966]

well, we generally play a lower magic world with at least 90% of the folks out there first level commoners. But, maybe some sort of courtier or errand boy type that decided to become a rogue

 

[MDSnowman]

my 2 Copper

If someone came to me wanting to play an older rogue I would probablly come up with a very Dickensian character, an old man, not very skilled on his own, who's able to get others to do the real work for him and give him a hefty cut for whatever reason. He could also be a blackmailer, skilled in getting dirt on others but not in any meaningful combat art.
-Andrew Snow

 

[JeffK1966]

Thanks, I ended up coming up with a ne'er do well/dreamer type who, while generally honest in his adult life, had tried and failed at a lot of get rich quick schemes, and never had the patience and stick-to-it-iveness to actually learn a profession. He then took up thievery when he came home from a day job to find that his wife and infant daughter packed up and left, as she was tired of living day to day.

 

[Mr Fidgit]

are you going to post his stats? (this is Rogues Gallery, after all )