Some afflictions seem to resist all known cures, even magical ones. You are or were a victim of such a disease, which has permanently altered your physical and mental state.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two: Nature, Medicine, Survival, Religion, Intimidation, Deception
- Tool Proficiencies: Choose either an Herbalism Kit or Alchemist’s Supplies
- Languages: You have picked up two languages from your dealings with healers and priests from across the land. Choose one common and one exotic language.
- Equipment: A bedroll, and alms box, 3gp, a vial of medicine, a set of cold or hot weather clothes, an Herbalism Kit or Alchemist’s Supplies, and a water skin.
Your appearance has been altered by your struggle with your affliction. Choose or randomly determine one of the traits below.
| d10 | Sickly Visage |
|---|---|
| 1 | Your skin is so pale it is nearly translucent, allowing your veins to be viewed as blue lines below the surface. |
| 2 | Patches of your skin have hardened and grown flakey, giving the appearance of scales. |
| 3 | Your eyes are sunken and hollow, giving you the appearance of a skull. |
| 4 | Black lines trace over your skin, showing the progression of the disease through your veins. |
| 5 | Your hair, skin, and eyes have lost all color. You are in complete grayscale. |
| 6 | Your battle against disease has aged you. You look and feel at least ten years (relative to human aging) older than you are. |
| 7 | Your illness has deformed one or more of your limbs. What remains is twisted beyond recognition. |
| 8 | Your growth is significantly stunted (25% or more). This does not change your Size classification. |
| 9 | You are pockmarked with scars, such as those left behind by smallpox or leprosy. |
| 10 | You’re not particularly off-putting to humanoid eyes, but animals can not tolerate your presence. Mounts will throw you, and pets either run for cover or attack you. |
Your disease has sapped some of your vitality, and you appearance has suffered for it. Perhaps your hair has fallen out, or your color has faded. When people look at you, it’s is with pity in their eyes. You are often underestimated by those who assume your sickly appearance is a reflection of your strength. Guards do not watch you closely, and you tend not to be searched thoroughly when passing through high-security locations.
Suggested Characteristics
Your dealings with your illness has hardened you to some of the harsher realities of life, while leaving you vulnerable to other factors.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a victim complex. Why do bad things always happen to me? |
| 2 | I have read up on every affliction in the realm in search for information on my illness. |
| 3 | I attempt to use humor to cope with my discomfort, but my jokes are often poorly timed or inappropriate. |
| 4 | I will try anything to cure me of my affliction. Eye of newt? Sounds tasty. Cover myself in bog mud? Sure, let’s try it. |
| 5 | I get bored easily. What life I have must be lived to the fullest. |
| 6 | No one knows I’m sick, and I intend to keep it that way. This makes me incredibly paranoid. |
| 7 | I say what I think. I have no patience for mincing words. |
| 8 | Everyday things fill me with wonder. Being bedridden kept me from getting out much. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Determined. I will find a cure if it’s the last thing I do. |
| 2 | Reckless. If I’ve survived this disease, what’s a few more stab wounds? |
| 3 | Hedonistic. I’m miserable enough, why not enjoy the material pleasures in life? |
| 4 | Charitable. I know the cruelties of this world, and I do what I can to save other from them. |
| 5 | Resentful. I seek to make the world suffer as I have. Misery loves company. |
| 6 | Inner peace. I have come to terms with my illness, and I wish to guide others towards that same level of self-acceptance. |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I owe everything to the deity whose clerics cured/treated my disease. |
| 2 | A benefactor paid for me to see the greatest healers in the land, and I hope to pay them back one day. |
| 3 | I know others afflicted like myself, and I hope to bring a cure home to them one day. |
| 4 | I know who gave me this illness and I will exact my revenge. |
| 5 | I have a home/family to which I cannot return until I am cured of this affliction. |
| 6 | I unwittingly spread my infection for many years, and now I am tracking down those I infected to save them. |
| d8 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I must take medicine several time a day to control my symptoms. Missing more than one consecutive dose causes things to get...ugly. |
| 2 | I am in constant pain, and I often turn to alcohol or other substances to escape it. |
| 3 | I resent everyone who has not suffered as I have. |
| 4 | I am blind, deaf, or otherwise disabled. Details of this including debuffs and trade offs should be discussed with your DM beforehand. |
| 5 | My illness is terminal. I don’t know exactly how long I have, but it’s not more than a few years, if I’m lucky. |
| 6 | My illness is contagious through certain circumstances (sexual contact, blood-to-blood transfer, buying |
| 7 | My illness is contagious through certain circumstances (sexual contact, blood-to-blood transfer, biting, etc.). I must be constantly vigilant to prevents its spread. |
| 8 | I am intolerable to be around due to my constant, dramatic complaining. |
Your disease has drastically affected your appearance. Perhaps you are covered in ropey scars, or black veins are visible beneath your skin. When people look at you, it is with a mixture of fear and disgust. Crowds give you plenty of space, and some vendors will be reluctant to serve you. On the other hand, some individuals will do you whatever you ask, just to avoid being in your presence for too long.
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