Rustler (Character Kit)

Rustler 
Class: Thief 
Description: Second to land, livestock represents the most important commodity in the Anglo-Saxon economy. Theft of land is the province of armed forces, but theft of livestock requires those subtler qualities possessed by the Thief class. Livestock theft was a common problem for the cultures of the Dark Ages, especially since loss of food and work animals often carried disastrous implications to the community suffering such predation. This means that the act of livestock theft is one of high risk. At the least, anyone caught rustling will find his life forfeit. At worst, such theft may instigate the mustering of armed forces with the intent of burning the offender's home settlement to the ground. The possible returns for such activity, however, are great. Several common farm holders managed to raise themselves into the ranks of the nobility on the gains reaped through the practice of livestock theft. 
Role: Rustler characters might be owners of farms who wish to raise their lot in life, or they might be professional thieves who work for some second party. They tend to be hard-bitten individuals, immune to the harm they inflict on their victims, their minds set on the personal rewards their actions might bring. 
Rustlers can be used in several different ways within a Dark Ages campaign. The player characters may belong to a group of Rustlers, making a living by planning and executing livestock thefts. Conversely, they may be employed by a worried farmer or community to defend livestock from Rustlers, or to track down missing livestock after a successful raid. 
Secondary Skills: Animal related skills are essential to the Rustler. Thus, they may possess the secondary skills of Farmer, Hunter, or Trapper/Furrier. 
Weapon Proficiencies: Given the importance of livestock in the Dark Ages, attempted theft rarely results in anything other than conflict. Rustlers are thus restricted in weapon choice only by their culture. 
Nonweapon Proficiencies:
* Bonus: Animal Handling.
* Recommended: Animal Lore, Animal Training, Riding (Land- based), Rope Use, Tracking. 
Skill Progression: A Rustler concentrates on skills that allow him to sneak into livestock compounds (Move Silently, Hide in Shadows), avoid any snares or similar traps that may be set to protect his targets (Find/Remove traps), and to track the movement of guards and animals in the dark nights that are his preferred time to strike (Detect Noise). Note that Rustlers gain fewer points to spend on Thief abilities than other Rogues. 
Equipment: To carry out their chosen profession. Rustlers tend to equip themselves with a decent amount of rope. If a large amount of livestock is the target of a particular raid, a rustler may also hide a saddled mount nearby to better drive his prize back to his home. 
Special Benefits: Rustlers may control groups of domestic animals through use of the Animal Handling nonweapon proficiency. In addition to the normal effects possible with the proficiency. Rustlers may also excite domestic animals into performing controlled stampedes. If a successful Animal Handling check is made upon attempting such a feat, the rustler may direct the stampede in any direction he desires (within the limits of the movement capabilities of the animals in question). Such stampedes may thus be used to break fencing, trample guards, and quickly move the animals away from the steadings of their former owners. See the entry for herd animals in the Monstrous Manual'" book to determine the possible capabilities of a stampede. 
Special Hindrances: Rustlers gain only 40 points to spend on Thief abilities initially, but gain the full 30 points per level thereafter. They may still spend a maximum of 30 points on a single ability at 1 st-level. 
Rustlers strive for absolute success in their endeavors. If caught in the act, they are generally killed by hanging. Should they be recognized, and a complaint brought to their lord, it is likely that they are shown the same justice, since the lord would probably rather avoid a war over livestock for the sake of a bunch of Thieves. Of course, that same lord would be quite happy to see new livestock coming into his lands, as long as the risk to his own holdings is minimal. 
Races: Any human or alfar character may become a Rustler. 
Thief Skills Adjustments: Rustlers have the following base Thief ability 
scores: 
Pick Pockets 0% 
Open Locks 10% 
Find/Remove Traps 10% 
Move Silently 10% 
Hide in Shadows 10% 
Detect Noise 10% 
Climb Walls 40% 
Read Languages ♦ 
* This ability is never gained
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