You have spent your life as a member of a cult. It's your greatest shame and you do your best to hide it. You work hard to rid yourself of old habits and to integrate yourself into "normal" society. But the memories of your past deeds still haunts you, and will continue to do so unless you find a way to redeem yourself.
Work with your DM to define what kind of cult you were part of. Was it dedicated to a forgotten god, or other dark being? What were its goal and ideals? What was the nature of your service? Were you a lesser functionary, raised from childhood within the cult? Or were you searching for faith, unhappy with the nature of other religions? Perhaps you were a scholar, but your interests were considered unorthodox, or even forbidden, by other societies and you had to find your resources in other places.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Arcana, Deception, Insight, Religion, or Stealth.
- Tool Proficiencies: One Artisan's tool of your choice.
- Languages: Choose one exotic language. (Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, or Undercommon)
- Equipment: A Holy symbol for your cult, 5 sticks of incense, vestments, set of common clothes, a set of Artisan's tool (one of your choice), and a pouch containing 15 gp.
You were content with your place within the cult, until a certain event changed everything. This was what made you decide to leave. Choose an event that made you change your ways, or roll one on the Turning Point table.
| d10 | Turning Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Someone you loved was chosen to be sacrificed and you couldn't do anything to stop it. |
| 2 | You were made to do something truly heinous, and your actions still plauge your waking dreams. |
| 3 | An apparition started haunting you. You don’t know what it wants, and it won’t leave you alone. |
| 4 | You came in contact with an ancient, cursed item (discuss the nature of the curse with your DM). |
| 5 | Your cabal was attacked and you alone were able to escape with your life. |
| 6 | You had a terrible vision of the object of your cult's worship destroying the world. You must find a way to stop it from happening. |
| 7 | You escaped a forced servitute, but the cult still has a magical hold on you. |
| 8 | You found a text written in a script unfit for a sane mind. You burned the text, but the words are still etched in your mind. |
| 9 | During a ceremony you felt something dark latch onto your mind. You seem to be the only one who can feel its presense. |
| 10 | You were chosen to be sacrificed. You fear that escaping might have brought the ire of the object of your cult's worhip upon you. |
You know how navigate the underbelly of society and can always locate brokers, quacksalvers, hedge wizards/witches, and black markets dealing with the occult, within a city. These people are always willing to talk to you, unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them, but they will not help you unconditionally.
Suggested Characteristics
Reformed cultists are shaped by their experiences in their cults. Some may struggle to rid themselves of ideals or mannerisms, while their flaws are unconscious consequences of their cult's hierarchies, religious practices and traditions. Others shy away from change, clinging their old ways.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I quote (or misquote) sacred texts and proverbs in almost every situation. |
| 2 | I like to read and memorize poetry. It keeps me calm and brings me fleeting moments of happiness. |
| 3 | I see omens in every event and action. The gods try to speak to us, we just need to listen. |
| 4 | I’ve spent so long in the cult that I have little practical experience dealing with people in the outside world. |
| 5 | I don’t talk about the thing that torments me. I’d rather not burden others with my curse. |
| 6 | I am slow to trust. People often act kind when there is something they want from you. |
| 7 | I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can't help it - I'm a perfectionist. |
| 8 | I put no trust in divine beings. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Charity. I try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good) |
| 2 | Aspiration. I'm going to prove that I'm worthy of a better life. (Any) |
| 3 | Redemption. I need to do good to make up for past things I've done. (Good) |
| 4 | Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Logic. Emotion must not cloud our logical thinking. (Lawful) |
| 6 | Greed. I will do anything to posess what I have always been denied. (Evil) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I keep my thoughts and discoveries in a journal. My journal is my legacy. |
| 2 | I have a family, but I have no idea where they are. One day, I hope to see them again. |
| 3 | I'm still seeking the enlightenment I hoped to find when I joined the cult, and it still eludes me. |
| 4 | I owe everything to the kind people who took me in after I left everything else behind. |
| 5 | I suffer awful visions of a coming disaster and will do anything to prevent it. |
| 6 | I will someday get revenge on the corrupt cult leaders who used and lied to me. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have certain rituals that I must follow every day. I can never break them. |
| 2 | Now that I've rejoined normal society, I enjoy its delights a little too much. |
| 3 | There is no room for caution in a life lived to the fullest. |
| 4 | I can't help but pocket loose coin and other trinkets I come across. |
| 5 | I am easily distracted by the promise of information. |
| 6 | I speak without really thinking through my words, invariably insulting others. |
Comments