Charlatan

Charlatans can be found everywhere, especially in bustling markets where they prey on unsuspecting victims, eager to part with their money. While some prefer to target the wealthy elite, seeing them as more profitable albeit riskier ventures, others stick to fleecing the common folk. From the street peddler selling dubious potions to the master con artist orchestrating elaborate schemes, charlatans excel at deceiving those unfortunate enough to cross their paths.

• Skill Proficiency: Deception
• Additional Equipment: A lockbox with a hidden compartment (chest), a forged Merchant’s Guild membership certificate (parchment), imitation fine clothes.

Ability: False Identity

With an hour’s effort spent writing and networking, and a successful medium-DC Charisma (Deception) check, you can establish a new identity complete with fake identification.

Ranks

Rank 1 – Street Peddler

You’re adept at spinning lies to separate people from their money, keeping yourself fed and evading the law in the process. But to truly make it big, you’ll need to step up your game and pull off larger scams.

Holdings:

• A stash of counterfeit items for selling and scamming allowing you to perform /pc-profession to advance your career.

Progression: You’re either recruited by a gang of hustlers or decide to form your own crew for more ambitious and organized scams.

• Con 1,200gp out of unsuspecting citizens.

Rank 2 – Hustler

Now working in a group, you expand your repertoire of cons to include more lucrative schemes like passing off glass as gemstones or running long cons on wealthy targets.

Holdings:

• A crew of fellow scammers who assist in your cons and share the spoils.
  • Grants a +1 bonus to your Charisma proficiency bonus when performing your profession.

Progression: You must devise plans for a large-scale con and gather the necessary resources to execute it.

• Con 2,400gp out of unsuspecting citizens.

Rank 3 – Con Artist

You’ve grown bolder, orchestrating elaborate swindles that require careful planning, resources, and teamwork. Whether it’s selling forged artwork or falsifying property deeds, you’re aiming for the big payday.

Holdings:

• A team of skilled forgers and charismatic swindlers who can recreate items with remarkable accuracy.
  • Grants a +1 bonus to your Charisma proficiency bonus when performing your profession. Stacks with prior rank (+2 total).
• An inconspicuous warehouse where you oversee your operations and store your ill-gotten gains.
  • A Chronica storage container that holds up to 5,000lbs.

Progression: Successfully pulling off a major con that attracts the attention of powerful institutions or noble households elevates your status among fellow criminals.

• Con 4,800gp out of unsuspecting citizens.

Rank 4 – Mastermind

You’ve become a legendary figure in the underworld, with aspiring swindlers seeking to learn from your expertise. Whether you mentor them or exploit them for your own gain is entirely up to you.

Holdings:

• A network of talented individuals who assist you in executing your schemes.
• When establishing a new identity, you never fail and the DC to recognize your true identity is 25 by those unfamiliar with you, and 20 for those who have met your other identity.

Source: Adapted from Grim Hollow Campaign