A gravedigger makes a living primarily by laying the dead to rest. It's grueling work that involves long hours of manual labor; digging and filling the graves and maintaining the cemeteries, mausoleums, crypts or catacombs where the burials take place. While only a basic set of skills are required to perform the duties of a gravedigger, it takes respect, perseverance and an incredible amount of mettle to do it well-- more still to exceed. A select few may even rise in the ranks and be employed to care for the crypts of those in power.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among History, Perception, Religion, or Survival
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set
- Languages: Choose one exotic language (Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, or Undercommon)
- Equipment: A shovel, an iron pot, a set of common clothes, one item of special significance (letter, jewelry or trinket) and 5 gp.
During your time as a gravedigger you've witnessed many strange and unusual events take place, some scarier than others. Though you've since turned to adventuring, there is one event in particular that you remember quite vividly. Roll on the Memory table to see what you recall, or choose one.
| d8 | Rattlin' Bones |
|---|---|
| 1 | While standing in a newly dug grave late one night, a series of whispers filled the air around me. One in particular said my full name that no one but I know. |
| 2 | One of the doors in a crypt I was maintaining refused to open. When I tried the handle, the door shook violently and a sickly green smoke billowed out from below it and snaked towards me. |
| 3 | After filling the last grave for the night, a flock of crows flew overhead and cawed loudly. Then each of them dropped dead, one by one; thirteen by my final count. |
| 4 | One morning at the cemetery, I found all of the graves completely empty. All of the dirt and bodies were missing and there were no footprints leading to or from the area. |
| 5 | Once, the world lost all color for a moment. I saw everything in shades of gray, my hearing was muffled and my movements were slow and sluggish. I asked around and no one knew what I was talking about. |
| 6 | I was once charged with burying a local lord. The process was exhaustive and it took the better part of an entire day. The next day, I awoke to the start of that same day. The day after continued normally. |
| 7 | While traveling, I happened across an already burnt pyre. Upon touching it, my mind was filled with scenes of skeletons hopping in a circle around a woman with her head covered, flailing and screaming for help. |
| 8 | While preparing a corpse for burial, I left to gather my tools. When I returned moments later, the grave was already dug and filled with wildflowers planted on top. |
When you enter a cemetery or any other location meant to memorialize the dead, you can correctly ascertain its original purpose and may recall a rumor or fact from the area at the Dungeon Master's discretion. In addition, though commoners might fear you, they respect your position and will offer a place to hide, rest, or recuperate, unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them.
Suggested Characteristics
Due to the nature of their work, Gravediggers are generally quiet and keep to themselves though there are a few that break the mold. Whether the position was taken out of necessity or not, all gravediggers hold an incredible amount of respect for death and the care and maintenance that goes in to the places where the dead are buried.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have the utmost respect for the dead and the places where they are found. |
| 2 | I'm unusually quiet and tend to keep to myself more often than not. |
| 3 | I'm much happier than most and smile often. Being around death so much has made me appreciate life more. |
| 4 | I'm afraid of the dark and always make sure to have a source of light nearby. |
| 5 | I have a lesson for every situation, drawn from observing death. |
| 6 | I am always calm, no matter the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me. |
| 7 | I carry around an unusually large amount of charms, wards, trinkets and holy symbols to try and protect myself from foul creates. |
| 8 | I speak to the dead. They most certainly don't speak back but I talk to them all the same. |
Previous Versions
| Name | Date Modified | Views | Adds | Version | Actions |
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7/24/2020 1:52:12 PM
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989
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177
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1.0.0
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Coming Soon
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