Though games such as the Tales of the Valiant roleplaying game or D&D typically live in the genre of high fantasy, this is not hard-coded into the game.
Role playing a hero in a different genre is not difficult; heroic traits are universal between stories. What you should instead focus on is how to frame heroic traits using the traits of the genre you find your character in.
The most effective way to do this for a Wild West character is to have one or more NPCs (or other PCs with their player’s permission) that are central to your character’s motivation. Westerns are stories about people and how those relationships contribute to the larger conflict at play. Having an important character in your PC’s life makes it easier to ground them into a more personal arc.
Here are a few character options to use when you are creating a ToV character that draw inspiration from Western character archetypes!
Belly up to the bar and read all the Ye Olde West articles in the archive!
New Heritage: Frontier Settler
As a frontier settler, you ventured out into the untamed wilds and carved out some semblance of comfort. It could be a campsite, wagon train, or even a more permanent ranch or farm. Regardless of what shape it takes, your settlement is a result of your hard work and canny in the face of an often unforgiving wilderness.
Frontier settlers grow up somewhat isolated from larger civilizations, typically only conversing with the errant traveler passing by or with caravan merchants making trade runs. Sometimes you would travel into town proper to pick up supplies, but you would always return to your home out in the frontier when your business was concluded.
Live Off The Land. You have proficiency in trapper tools. You also have proficiency in either the Animal Handling or Nature skill.
Folk Remedy. You know the detect poison and disease ritual using INT, WIS, or CHA as your spellcasting ability (choose during character creation). When you reach 3rd level, you learn the lesser restoration spell. You can cast it without using a spell slot once per long rest using the same spellcasting ability you selected for this trait.
Languages. You know Common and one additional language of your choice. Typical frontier settler heritage characters choose Dwarvish or Halfling.
New Background: Wanted Outlaw
Your face adorns wanted posters plastered in towns across the frontier. You have broken some sort of law, and as such, the authorities are gunning for your arrest… or worse. Whether the crimes you committed, or continue to commit, were an accident or a deliberate choice, you lead a life on the run doing everything you can to keep distance between you and the authorities.
Skill Proficiencies. Choose two from Athletics, Deception, Intimidation, or Stealth.
Additional Proficiencies. Gain proficiency with thieves’ tools and one type of game set or instrument of your choice.
Equipment. A tool or game set you are proficient with, a copy of your wanted poster,a cloth mask, inconspicuous clothes including a dark duster and wide-brimmed hat, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp.
Talent
Choose a talent from the following list to represent your lawless past: Aware, Hand to Hand, or Opportunist.
Adventuring Motivation
Those who choose a lawless path tend to do so because the rules and authority of society don’t allow them the freedom they crave. How they choose to use that freedom often comes at the expense of innocent people, but not always. Determine what great injustice lead you to the life of an outlaw and whether you plan on staying ahead of the law or redeeming yourself.
Adventuring Motivation
| d8 | Adventuring Motivation |
| 1 | I was framed for a crime I did not commit. Adventuring is a journey to clear my name. |
| 2 | The law is a corrupt arm of authority. I will fight it tooth and nail. |
| 3 | The law can’t tell me what to do. I will live how I please. |
| 4 | I’m always on the lookout for my next big score. |
| 5 | Adventuring lets me stay on the run to avoid the gallows. |
| 6 | Adventuring is how I atone for my crimes and finally do some good. |
| 7 | I’m out to build a posse of fearsome cowpokes for one big job. |
| 8 | My fortune is out there, and no law keeper will keep me from it. |
New Background: Law Keeper
The frontier is a dangerous place filled with dangerous characters. It takes determination to wrestle order from its chaotic ways. You have been deputized by a higher authority to keep the frontiers safe. As a law keeper, you’ve sworn to uphold the law and bring outlaws to justice.
Skill Proficiencies. Choose two from Intimidation, Investigation, Perception, or Persuasion.
Additional Proficiencies. Gain proficiency with navigator tools and one type of tool or instrument of your choice.
Equipment. A tool you are proficient with, a badge denoting your legal authority,a map of your jurisdiction, traveler’s clothes including a hat and vest, a locket holding a photo of someone important, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp.
Talent
Choose a talent from the following list to reflect your law keeping methods: Dungeoneer, Return Fire, or Weapon Discipline.
Adventuring Motivation
Law keepers are deputized to maintain order and safety in the places under their jurisdiction be they towns or entire regions. As such, they have leave to adventure within those jurisdictions in the name of the law. Determine your role as a law keeper, be it town sheriff, deputy, marshall, or some other title, as well as your professional responsibilities.
Adventuring Motivation
| d8 | Adventuring Motivation |
| 1 | I’m on the hunt for a dangerous outlaw that threatens my town. |
| 2 | I patrol the edges of my jurisdiction, always on the lookout for threats from the wilds. |
| 3 | My town was destroyed by a bandit posse. I work to make sure something like that never happens again. |
| 4 | I used to run with a gang of outlaws. I’m cooperating with the law to bring them to justice. |
| 5 | I bring order to the frontiers by any means necessary. Even adventuring. |
| 6 | The law is my means to build wealth and influence. |
| 7 | I was wronged by an old friend. I joined the law to get the power to settle the score. |
| 8 | Being a law keeper gives me the resources I need to travel the frontiers and see the world. |