There are heroes, and there are gods. Beowulf. Heracles. Samson. These are beyond mere mortals, blessed with the spark of the divine, their exploits legends. So too is the path you walk. Raised by your mortal parent, you have always known you were destined for great things, the gods themselves watching you from on high. So you strike out into the world, seeking to grab it by the throat and shake it until you rattle the heavens. And should the mortals bask in your glorious tales, showering you with wealth and affection, well, isn't that the natural order of things?
- Languages: One language of choice and either land or water vehicles
- Equipment: A holy symbol (purportedly a gift from your divine parent), a set of traveler’s clothes, the pelt of a great beast you slew with your bare hands, the jawbone of a horrible monster you defeated in battle (functions as a club), and a belt pouch containing 15gp.
Feature: Closer to the Gods
Your exploits are the stuff of legend made real, an opportunity for mere mortals to briefly touch the divine. By regaling any who will listen with tales of your heroic deeds, you can gain the ear of those interested in such tales as well as maintain a comfortable lifestyle. However, hubris has ever been the downfall of your kind; just as tales of your success spread like wildfire, so too do tales of your failures. Should your stories be revealed as falsehoods, or should you fail in a quest, you lose the benefit of this feature until such time as you perform an act of heroism.
Suggested Characteristics
Acolytes are shaped by their experience in temples or other religious communities. Their study of the history and tenets of their faith and their relationships to temples, shrines, or hierarchies affect their mannerisms and ideals. Their flaws might be some hidden hypocrisy or heretical idea, or an ideal or bond taken to an extreme.
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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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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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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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