Once, you lived outside the law, surviving by preying on the weak and taking what you wanted. Whether you were a raider, a highwayman, or a member of a larger criminal gang, you spent your days ambushing travelers, plundering villages, or shaking down merchants for coin. But something changed. Maybe you grew tired of the bloodshed, betrayed your comrades, or realized the cause you fought for was a lie. Now, you've turned your back on your old life, walking a different path. However, leaving behind a bandit’s past is not so simple—enemies, both former allies and vengeful victims, may still seek to drag you back into the darkness.
Even as you strive for a new life, the skills you honed in your outlaw days remain useful. You know how criminals think, how to move unseen, and how to survive in places where laws are meaningless. The wilderness may still call to you, the road a constant reminder of what you were. Do you seek redemption, or do you merely run from the past? And if confronted by your former gang, will you fight them—or rejoin them?
Outlaw's Instincts
Your time living outside the law has given you an uncanny sense for when things are amiss. You have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to recognize ambush sites, hidden paths, or signs of pursuit. Additionally, you can usually tell if a settlement or business is under criminal influence, even if it is not immediately obvious.
Suggested Characteristics
Bandit Defectors struggle between their past and present, haunted by former sins or tempted by old habits. Some seek redemption through good deeds, while others simply try to survive, hoping to outrun their past. Their rough lives have made them adaptable, cunning, and sometimes ruthless. Many have trust issues, knowing firsthand how easily loyalty can be betrayed. Others seek companionship, trying to replace the family they lost when they turned away from banditry.
Personality Traits
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|
| 1 | I always keep my back to the wall and an eye on the exits. |
| 2 | I try to act respectable, but old habits die hard. |
| 3 | I feel guilty for my past crimes and try to make amends. |
| 4 | I never let myself get attached—it's easier that way. |
| 5 | I am fiercely protective of my new allies; I won’t lose another family. |
| 6 | I am always looking for the easiest way out of any situation. |
| 7 | Violence was the only language I knew, and I still struggle to speak another. |
| 8 | I hate when people call me a thief—I was more than that. |
Ideals
| d8 | Ideal |
|---|
| 1 | Redemption. I can’t change the past, but I can still do some good. (Good) |
| 2 | Freedom. No one tells me what to do—not the law, not criminals, no one. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Survival. I did what I had to do, and I’ll do it again if I must. (Neutral) |
| 4 | Loyalty. I betrayed my old crew, but I won’t betray my new allies. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Self-Preservation. I left because it was the only way to stay alive. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Power. I left one gang to build something better. (Evil) |
Bonds
| d8 | Bond |
|---|
| 1 | A loved one still lives among the bandits, and I must find a way to save them. |
| 2 | A bounty hunter is after me, and I must evade or confront them. |
| 3 | I owe my new life to someone who gave me a second chance. |
| 4 | I stole something valuable before I fled, and now people want it back. |
| 5 | My former leader swore revenge on me, and I know they will find me someday. |
| 6 | There’s one crime I deeply regret, and I will do anything to make it right. |
Flaws
| d8 | Flaw |
|---|
| 1 | I don’t believe in true justice—only in who has power. |
| 2 | I still struggle with my violent impulses when things get difficult. |
| 3 | I tend to lie, even when telling the truth would be easier. |
| 4 | I expect betrayal at every turn and push people away before they can hurt me. |
| 5 | I miss the thrill of bandit life and sometimes feel tempted to return. |
| 6 | I can never truly relax—I always think someone is coming for me. |
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