Chapter 1 - Class - Character Kits - Thief Kits
Bandit
Note: This kit is taken from the book Complete Thief's Handbook.
Travel is rarely a safe affair in the medieval fantasy setting, whether one
traverses the forbidding wilderness or the pastoral countryside. Beside the dangers of
nature and fantastic menaces, such as dragons and giants, there are humans who prey on
their journeying kin. Almost every stretch of road near civilization is claimed by one or
more bands of highwaymen, and even the far wilderness may hide the strongholds of
robbers.
Bandits must be strong and hardy to withstand the harsh forces of nature, the people
who seek their destruction, and even each other. Thieves must have minimum scores of
10, then, in both Strength and Constitution to be eligible for the Bandit kit.
Role: Bandits are often vicious characters, desperate, cunning, and cruel. They are
prone to fight or even betray each other, but two things keep them bound in groups: the
utter necessity of cooperation in order to survive the perils of the wilderness (let alone to
be successful robbers), and the strength of whoever has established himself as leader
among them by force and cunning.
Some leaders manage to weld together very large groups of Bandits. In some
AD&D® worlds, such as the WORLD OF GREYHAWK® Fantasy Setting, there are
even kingdoms of Bandits. Such things are rare, however, since few leaders have the
Strength or Charisma to bind many of these thieves; or even if they do, the mob will
rarely stay together beyond the leader's demise.
Bandits do not belong to guilds, as such. A large group of them, or a network of
cooperating groups, may be considered analogous to a guild, however—providing some
training, intimidating nonmembers who operate in their "territory" (including humanoids
and the like), and so forth. A few Bandit groups may actually have connections to a big
city guild, though such ties would probably be very loose (perhaps occasional
cooperation, rather than subservience).
Bandits rarely have pleasant reasons for pursuing their lifestyles. Most have a history
better left behind, and many have a price (or three) on their heads in some place or
another. The average Bandit would be better off outside the wilderness, but with enemies
and authorities elsewhere, it is the closest available thing to a sanctuary.
Bandits can expect less than mercy at the hands of the law. As if Banditry itself
wasn't punishable, most of these thieves already have a few major crimes under their belt.But, like a city guild, Bandits can work out arrangements with local military and civilian
authorities. In exchange for bribes and a cut of the take, Bandits may garner information
on rich targets and how best to avoid the punitive expeditions that may periodically be
sent against them.
Secondary Skills: Bowyer/Fletcher, Farmer, Fisher, Forester, Gambler, Groom,
Hunter, Leather worker, Tailor/Weaver, Teamster/Freighter, Trader/Barterer,
Trapper/Furrier, Weaponsmith, Woodworker/Carpenter.
Skill Progression: The skills favored by Bandits are those useful for scouting and
preparing ambushes—specifically, climb walls (for tree-climbing), move silently, and
hide in shadows. Find/remove traps also tends to develop with a Bandit's knowledge of
snares, pits and so forth, which may be employed on occasion to waylay travelers.
Weapon Proficiencies: Bandits are particularly partial to heavy, brutal, bludgeoning
weapons. For this reason they may use the following cudgel-like weapons in addition to
those normally permitted to thieves: flail, mace, morning star and warhammer. At least
one of the Bandit's initial weapon proficiency slots must be filled by a bludgeoning
weapon. Bandits must also take proficiency in the knife. They not only use this for
fighting (some among them regard knife-fighting as a spectator sport), but as practical
equipment for wilderness survival. Since this fills the two weapon proficiencies open to a
thief, the Bandit is granted a third initial weapon proficiency slot, to fill with the weapon
of his choice (from among those permitted to thieves).
Nonweapon Proficiencies: Required: Survival (choose appropriate terrain).
Recommended: Alertness, Animal Handling/Training, Animal Noise, Fire-building,
Intimidation, Looting, Riding, Rope Use, Set Snares, Swimming.
Equipment: A Bandit should be well-equipped for wilderness survival. Vital items
include provisions, backpack and pouches, flint and steel (which are more reliable than a
magnifying glass for starting fires—especially at night!), tinder, a blanket, and a knife.
Less vital, but often of use, are climbing equipment (crampons, pitons, etc.), fishing
gear (hooks, line, net), light sources (candle, lantern, torch), rope, sewing needle and
thread, sacks for loot, a signal whistle, spyglass, small tent, thieves' picks, and a
whetstone (so you can sharpen your knife when there's nothing else to do).
Some Bandits, finally, like to have trained animals (dogs, falcons, pigeons) for
hunting or message-carrying. To make effective use of such an animal, animal handling
proficiency is needed.
Special Benefits: Because of their adeptness at ambushing, Bandits gain +1 on their
attempt to surprise in a wilderness setting.
Special Hindrances: Bandits are generally despised by other characters: Normal
people hate and fear highwaymen, and other types of thieves tend to look at them with
scorn, as outcasts and crude robbers. For this reason, any Bandit who is recognized as
such suffers a -2 reaction penalty among non-Bandit NPCs.
Races: Bandits are a motley group, and any race may be found among them—even
races with a tradition of antipathy, although such characters are likely to fight each other
as much as the band's targets. Humanoid and part-humanoid characters in particular favor
the Bandit kit. Demihuman characters who join Bandit groups with other races are
probably outcasts from among their own people.
