Chapter 1 - Class - Character Kits - Halfling Kits
Traveler
This popular character is the halfling equivalent of the bard, a musician and storyteller traveling about out of curiosity and a general love of life. His or her wanderings give the character grist for the tales and legends by which he or she earns a living. Like the Cartographer, he or she is curious about the wide world, but it is people, not places, that draw a Traveler's attention. Nothing makes a Traveler happier than meeting people from a wide variety of cultures, and this enthusiasm translates into a remarkable ability to understand and adapt to local customs.
A Traveler must have a Charisma score of at least 15.
Roads to Adventure: The Traveler is another of those rare (some would say 'mad') halflings for whom the comforts of hearth and burrow are simply not enough. It begins almost always in childhood with the feeling that the fair in the next village must be just a little grander than the one at home. Accomplished Travelers can become the confidants of kings and queens, the emissaries of earls, the entertainers of nobles and sages.
Role: The Traveler does much the same work as a bard but takes himself or herself far less seriously. He or she is an accomplished wordsmith, capable of spinning a yarn on the spur of the moment that can reduce an audience to tears or helpless laughter. All Travelers play a musical instrument, but it will always be a simple, homey instrument like a banjo, harmonica, or fiddle rather than one of the more sophisticated instruments favored by bards. Travelers are also fond of entertaining children with simple sleight-of-hand tricks, and one will often put on a special show just for children when he or she comes to town.
A Traveler's performances are almost always informal, homespun affairs--swapping stories and sharing a jug with the old folks around a hearthfire, playing the fiddler and being the caller for courting couples at the local hoedown and square dance, thrilling youngsters with monster stories enlivened by special sound effects. Travelers are masters of the Question Game and enjoy matching their skill against that of the local champs. Because of their genuine enjoyment of people, Travelers are quick to make friends. As a rule, they are welcomed nearly everywhere they go and remembered fondly when they depart.
Secondary Skills: Most Travelers will avoid secondary skills on principle.
Weapon Proficiencies: The Traveler can use any weapon; usually he or she will try to select something unique. Travelers are particularly fond of weapons that don't look like weapons--for example, a walking stick which is actually a swordstick, or wooden juggling balls that can be used as missile weapons.
Bonus Nonweapon Proficiencies: The Traveler receives Musical Instrument as a bonus proficiency.
Recommended Nonweapon Proficiencies: Dance, Disguise, Etiquette, Juggling, Tumbling, and Ventriloquism are all useful proficiencies for a Traveler.
Thieving Skill Emphasis: Travelers do very little actual stealing, as a rule, but the Pick Pockets skill comes in handy in their sleight-of-hand shows.
Equipment: Aside from his or her musical instrument, weapons, and the clothes he or she wears, a Traveler will have few possessions, no more than he or she can easily carry. Gold has a tendency to tie a body down, in his or her opinion, and the character is likely to leave any excess wealth that comes his or her way on the door of some worthy widow or orphan as he or she leaves town, light of heart and empty of pocket.
Special Benefits: The Traveler has several bard-like abilities: he or she receives a +2 to all Reaction Rolls due to the character's innate goodwill to all and friendly demeanor. A Traveler who has time to tell friends and allies an inspiring story before they enter a combat gives them the same attack and saving throw bonuses as a bless spell. Finally, his or her music offers immunity to song-based charm attacks (for example, a harpy's singing) to all within earshot, but only so long as the Traveler can keep playing non-stop.
Special Hindrances: As noted above, all Travelers are poor, by choice. It has been said that a Traveler has a million friends and no home, and this is true; while his or her folksy manner and homespun ways win the character a welcome everywhere he or she goes, he or she has no family or burrow to return to. Travelers are essentially sociable loners who dread the day when old age will force them to stop their wandering at last.
