You once belonged to a cult. Perhaps it was brief, embracing the rebellious spirit of youth and curious where this path may take you. You also may have felt alone and lost, this community offering a welcome you had been subconsciously seeking. It’s possible you were raised from the beginning to pray to the gods of shadow and death. Then one day the veil was lifted and the cruel truth shook your faith, sending you running from the false promises and seeking redemption. You have been freed from the bindings of these dangerous philosophies, but few secret societies find comfort until those who abandon their way are rotting beneath the soil.
- Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Religion
- Languages: Two of your choice
- Equipment: A holy symbol (a gift to you when you entered the priesthood), a prayer book or prayer wheel, 5 sticks of incense, vestments, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp
Feature: Wicked Awareness
Your time worshipping in secrecy and shadow at the altar of malevolent forces has left you with insight and keen awareness to those who still operate in such ways. You can often spot hidden signs, messages, and signals left in populated places. If actively seeking signs of a cult or dark following, you have an easier time locating and decoding the signs or social interactions that signify cult activity, gaining advantage on any ability checks to discover such details.
Suggested Characteristics
Use the tables for the Acolyte background in the Player’s Handbook as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to match your ties to your intent on fleeing your past and rectifying your future. Your bond is likely associated with those who gave you the insight and strength to flee your old ways. Your ideal probably involves your wishing to take down and destroy those who promote the dark ways you escaped, and perhaps finding new faith in a forgiving god.
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Personality Trait |
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1
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I idolize a particular hero of my faith, and constantly refer to that person’s deeds and example.
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2
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I can find common ground between the fiercest enemies, empathizing with them and always working toward peace.
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3
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I see omens in every event and action. The gods try to speak to us, we just need to listen.
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4
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Nothing can shake my optimistic attitude.
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5
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I quote (or misquote) sacred texts and proverbs in almost every situation.
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6
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I am tolerant (or intolerant) of other faiths and respect (or condemn) the worship of other gods.
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7
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I’ve enjoyed fine food, drink, and high society among my temple’s elite. Rough living grates on me.
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8
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I’ve spent so long in the temple that I have little practical experience dealing with people in the outside world.
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| d6 |
Ideal |
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1
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Tradition. The ancient traditions of worship and sacrifice must be preserved and upheld. (Lawful)
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2
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Charity. I always try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good)
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3
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Change. We must help bring about the changes the gods are constantly working in the world. (Chaotic)
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4
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Power. I hope to one day rise to the top of my faith’s religious hierarchy. (Lawful)
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5
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Faith. I trust that my deity will guide my actions. I have faith that if I work hard, things will go well. (Lawful)
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6
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Aspiration. I seek to prove myself worthy of my god’s favor by matching my actions against his or her teachings. (Any)
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| d6 |
Bond |
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1
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I would die to recover an ancient relic of my faith that was lost long ago.
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2
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I will someday get revenge on the corrupt temple hierarchy who branded me a heretic.
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3
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I owe my life to the priest who took me in when my parents died.
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4
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Everything I do is for the common people.
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5
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I will do anything to protect the temple where I served.
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6
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I seek to preserve a sacred text that my enemies consider heretical and seek to destroy.
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Flaw |
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1
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I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely.
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2
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I put too much trust in those who wield power within my temple’s hierarchy.
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3
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My piety sometimes leads me to blindly trust those that profess faith in my god.
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4
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I am inflexible in my thinking.
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5
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I am suspicious of strangers and expect the worst of them.
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6
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Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life.
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