Foreign InfiltratorNone of the other spies of the Last War had a task half as

difficult as yours, for you were a true infiltrator. You spent

years, perhaps even decades, living in an enemy nation, guild,

mercenary company, or dragonmarked house. You

masqueraded as one of its citizens, worked your way into a

position of knowledge or influence, all the while secretly

reporting back to your true masters. It was a life fraught with

danger and temptation, and it has marked you in ways you

have yet to discover.

Your endeavors served a dual purpose. You constantly

strove to prove yourself loyal to your “adopted” nation,

outwardly seeking to strengthen it, to uncover magic that

could help it, to thwart its foes. At the same time, you had to

learn enough of its activities, and sabotage enough of its

efforts, to ensure that, in the end, your work did more good for

your true nation than this one. You might still be doing just

that, for although the war has officially ended, espionage is as

prevalent as ever. It can become confusing, this constant set of

double objectives, all overlaid with the constant risk of being

discovered.

Skill Proficiencies: Deception and your choice of either

Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, or Stealth

Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit

Languages: One of your choice

Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a set of high quality fake

identification papers with a portrait, a costume, a disguise

kit, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp

Feature: HandlerAs a foreign infiltrator in order to ultimately be effective you

needed to have a handler that can help pass you information

and goals. This handler might be associated with the criminal

underworld, the rough-and-tumble folk of the streets, or

members of high society. This connection comes in the form

of a contact in and to a major city or country, a person who

provides information about the people and places of the local

area. This person has a general knowledge of where you are

at, and may meet you in other cities from time to time, you

know how to discretely get messages to them.

Suggested CharacteristicsDeception is as natural to you as breathing. Not only your

goals, but your very life, rely on your ability to mislead

everyone you encounter. You no longer decide whether to lie,

but simply what lies to tell, and you expect no less from

others. You are all but incapable of believing anything you are

told, trusting anyone you meet, or accepting anything you see

at face value.

Act friendly and loyal to your companions and your adopted

nation, no matter what your ulterior motives. You lie

constantly and consistently, never letting anyone near the

truth of who you are and how you feel. You are not careless

with your deceptions, since you cannot afford to be caught in a

lie, but you have buried the truth so deep that it never even

occurs to you to speak it.

d12 I became a foreign infiltrator because...

1There is a deep and long tradition in my family ofgoing into covert operations, so it was fitting for meto follow their example.

2I always avoided the spotlight, but I wanted to make adifference for my country or house during the lastwar.

3 As a child I found myself on missions that I didn'teven know about. Success brought on recruitment.

4 I am lone wolf by nature and this was the best way toserve my country or house.

5My family's reputation was destroyed or slandered bylies and misinformation. I wanted to make sure thatdid not happen again.

6My family was disgraced, and I intend to clear ourname. This was clearly the best way to combat thelies.

7 After my village was destroyed working to hunt downwar criminals was an obvious course of action.

8Growing up on the streets, I was able to learn skills ofthe trade. My mentor saw my talent and I can see now,subtly directed me.

9I loved plays and acting as I grew up. But acting forreal with higher stakes is clearly much better thanbeing on a fake stage.

10I was unknowingly a witness to an assassination(attempt). I knew I wanted to work to stop operativeslike that from striking.

11Fighting in the Last War, I was recognized for myabilities within the shadows and was recruited formore specialized service.

12 I grew up in the shadows and learned my specialtyfrom a skilled mentor.

BACKGROUNDS | FOREIGN INFILTRATOR1

d20 Personality Trait

1 I pocket anything I see that might have some value tomy mission.

2 I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I neverraise my voice or let my emotions control me.

3 I don't pay attention to the risks in a situation. Nevertell me the odds.

4I would rather make a new asset than a new enemy.You never know when you might need a favor calledin.

5 I make sure to think through a question thoroughlybefore answering.

6 I lie about almost everything, it is what the trade isbuilt on.

7 When I set my mind to something, I follow throughno matter what gets in my way.

8 I'm a born gambler who can't resist taking a risk for apotential payoff.

9My eloquent flattery makes everyone I talk to feel likethe most wonderful and important person in theworld.

10 I am cold and calculating in my every word and action,even when furious or frightened.

11 I am very good at waiting. Patience is a virtue I haveconquered.

12 I act friendly and loyal to my companions, even if I amnot.

13 I am careful with my deceptions, I cannot afford to becaught in a lie.

14 I have buried the truth so deep that it never occurs tome to speak it.

15 I always have plan for what to do when things gowrong.

16I've met many interesting people in my day, seenmany amazing things, and I enjoy regaling others withthe tales. It doesn't matter if the tales aren't true.

17 The first thing I do in a new place is note all the exits—or where they can be hidden.

18 I dislike games of chance; they treat fortune as a trifle.

19 I have a short catch phrase which I try to use inconversation whenever possible.

20 I hum the same tune when nervous or unsure.

d12 Ideal

1 Aspiration. I work hard to be the best there is at mycraft. (Any)

2 Responsibility. I do what I must and obey justauthority. (Lawful)

3 People. I'm committed to the people I care about, notto ideals. (Neutral)

4 Power. If I can attain more power, no one will tell mewhat to do. (Evil)

5 Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives indefense of others. (Good)

6 Courage. Sometimes I must do what must be done, nomatter the consequences. (Chaotic)

7 Nation. My city, nation, or people are all that matter.(Any)

8Statesman. The game of Kings and powers is not forthe faint hearted and I am are not faint hearted.(Lawful)

9 Danger. It is the threat of death that lets us knowwe're alive. (Neutral)

10 Adventure. A hero must always be getting into danger.(Chaotic)

11 Expansion. I must make sure my country/house is themost powerful one, revered across the world. (Evil)

12 Loyalty Though my loyalty has been for sale, I now onlygive it to those who deserve it. (Good)

d12 Bond

1 I hold no greater cause than my service to my people.

2 I am a loyal servant of my King or Queen and Country.

3 Someone I loved died because of a mistake I made.That will never happen again.

4 I will do anything to protect my country from it'senemies.

5 The evil forces in the world must be stopped.

6 Deception is the great game, and losers die.

7 I am eternally grateful to the Patron who guided methrough my training. It has saved my life.

8 I have sworn to oppose the person, organization, orgovernment that destroyed my home village.

9 I will get revenge on the evil forces that destroyed mylife.

10 I've seen something amazing and I'll never tell a soulabout it.

11 I'll prove my old masters wrong and accomplish greatthings.

12 When I take a job, nothing stops me from seeing it tothe end.

BACKGROUNDS | FOREIGN INFILTRATOR2

d12 Flaws

1 An innocent person is in prison for a crime that Icommitted. I'm okay with that.

2 I turn tail and run when things go bad.

3 There is a plan, and it is the only thing that has keptme alive.

4 My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning.

5 I feel contempt for those not of my country.

6 I have deviant and illegal tendencies.

7 I'll betray my closest friends for success.

8 I hold my own wisdom above that of others.

9 I have little respect for anyone outside the realm ofespionage.

10 It can't be paranoia if it is true.

11 Why go to the trouble myself when a whisper in theright ear can do it for me?

12 I over-plan every endeavor.

Credits & ChangelogLast updated on June 26th, 2018

The basics of this background appear in Forge of War. I

fleshed this out in to a 5E background inflating the tables since

in my party these are some of the funnest things about

backgrounds so I wanted to provide these, and in an expanded

format.

This was put together by Freewolf (/u/Freewolf). and posted

to my Homebrew site for my D&D 5E campaign set in Eberron.

Originally done in The Homebrewery then moved over to

GMBinder.

Version 1.3Moved to GMBinderAdded Why I became a ... background tableMinor adjustments to some of the options

Version 1.2Formatting fix

Version 1.1Added changelogAdded some personality traits, bonds, ideals, and flaws

Version 1.0Original Version

ArtworkFrom Beastsakura in DeviantArt

BACKGROUNDS | FOREIGN INFILTRATOR