You are haunted by something so terrible that you dare not speak of it. You’ve tried to bury it and run away from it, to no avail. Whatever this thing is that haunts you can’t be slain with a sword or banished with a spell. It might come to you as a shadow on the wall, a bloodcurdling nightmare, a memory that refuses to die, or a demonic whisper in the dark. The burden has taken its toll, isolating you from most people and making you question your sanity. You must find a way to overcome it before it destroys you.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Arcana, Investigation, Religion, or Survival
- Languages: Choose one exotic language (Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, or Undercommon)
- Equipment: A monster hunter’s pack, a set of common clothes, and one trinket of special significance (choose one or roll on the Gothic Trinkets table after this background).
Harrowing Event
Prior to becoming an adventurer, your path in life was defined by one dark moment, one fateful decision, or one tragedy. Now you feel a darkness threatening to consume you, and you fear there may be no hope of escape. Choose a harrowing event that haunts you, or roll one on the Harrowing Events table.
| d8 |
Harrowing Event |
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1
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You had human parents who abandoned you because you were a "changeling child."
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2
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An author created a new novel, one where your people are the monster.
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3
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You found a portal at a young age. After following it, you became a vessel for the magic on the other side.
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4
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You started as human, but after isolating yourself for years, you became something else, something otherworldly...
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5
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A creepy pasta started spreading like wildfire, and as the "creepy" part, your power grows.
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6
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You are an author who has created many creatures. Now, you join them in their magical universe.
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7
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A cryptid stole you from your family at a young age. After being in their world for so long, you've become one of them.
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8
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You awoke one day, not knowing why or how you were created, just that you have urges you can't explain.
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Feature: Heart of Darkness
Those who look into your eyes can see that you have faced unimaginable horror and that you are no stranger to darkness. Though they might fear you, commoners will extend you every courtesy and do their utmost to help you. Unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them, they will even take up arms to fight alongside you, should you find yourself facing an enemy alone.
Suggested Characteristics
You have learned to live with the terror that haunts you. You are a survivor, who can be very protective of those who bring light into your darkened life.
| d8 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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I don’t run from evil. Evil runs from me.
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2
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I like to read and memorize poetry. It keeps me calm and brings me fleeting moments of happiness.
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3
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I believe everyone should feel free to do what they want.
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4
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I live for the thrill of the hunt.
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5
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I don’t talk about the thing that torments me. I’d rather not burden others with my curse.
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6
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I expect danger around every corner.
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7
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I refuse to become a victim, and I will not allow others to be victimized.
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8
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Chaos reigns. You have no control, all you can do is add to it.
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| d6 |
Ideal |
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1
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I try to avoid others so I don't have to see the fear in their eyes. (Any)
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2
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I’ll do anything to find out my story. (Chaotic)
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3
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I kill monsters to make the world a safer place, and to exorcise my own demons. (Good)
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4
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I have a dark calling that puts me above the law. (Chaotic)
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5
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I want to change my story, and shape myself. (Chaotic)
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6
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I’m a monster that destroys other monsters, and anything else that gets in my way. (Evil)
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| d6 |
Bond |
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1
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I keep my thoughts and discoveries in a journal. My journal is my life, and I hope I can use it to shape my story.
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2
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I would do anything to save Magher and all the cryptids within it.
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3
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My torment drove away the person I love. I strive to win back the love I’ve lost.
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4
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A terrible guilt consumes me. I hope that I can find redemption through my actions.
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5
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There’s evil in me, I can feel it. It must never be set free.
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6
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I mentor another cryptid. I would defend them with my life.
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| d6 |
Flaw |
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1
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I have certain rituals that I must follow every day. I can never break them.
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2
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I make no effort to change the more evil portions of my story. It is what the author made it.
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3
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I feel no compassion for the dead. They’re the lucky ones.
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4
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I have an addiction.
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5
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I am a purveyor of doom and gloom who lives in a world without hope.
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6
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I talk to spirits that no one else can see.
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