You lived a life that you didn’t want so you left it behind. You packed up what you could and left everyone and everything you knew behind. You might have been abused, a prisoner, apprenticed to a master you hated, or something else.
You begin your adventuring career with enough money to live modestly but securely for at least ten days. How did you come by that money? What allowed you to break free of your desperate circumstances and embark on a better life? Did you escape your old life by talking your way past guards? Did you sneak out in the piddle of the night? Did your magical abilities manifest or perhaps you cut a deal with your patron to escape.
- Skill Proficiencies: Two from Persuasion, Stealth, or Deception
- Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisan’s tools appropriate to your old life.
- Languages: One language appropriate to your old life.
- Equipment: A token of your old life, a dagger, one set of artisan’s tools appropriate to your old life, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
While in a particular town, city, or other similarly sized community (DM’s discretion), you and your companions can stay for free in safe houses. Safe houses provide a poor lifestyle. While staying at a safe house, you can choose to keep your presence (and that of your companions) a secret.
But...
Someone from your old life is after you. If you become too visible they will find you. The DM will decide who it is but some examples could be: a spurned fiancé, an abusive parent, the master you ran from, or the sorcerer who kept you prisoner.
Suggested Characteristics
Your characteristics should reflect the life you left behind, how you escaped, and how you’ve stayed free.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I hide scraps of food and trinkets away in my pockets. |
| 2 | Everything is new and wonderful to me. |
| 3 | I like to squeeze into small places where no one else can get to me. |
| 4 | I sleep with my back to a wall or tree, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms. |
| 5 | I am terrified that someone from my old life will find me. |
| 6 | I think anyone who’s nice to me is hiding evil intent. |
| 7 | I try very hard not to be like who I was. |
| 8 | I don’t talk about my past. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Charity. I help people who need to escape their life. (Good) |
| 2 | Community. Someone helped me escape my old life and I help others who need it. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Freedom. I am free now and I will never go back. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Retribution. When I’m ready I’m going back and I will have my revenge. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. I help the people who help me — that’s what keeps us alive. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Aspiration. I’m going to prove that I’m worthy of a better life. |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | Someone helped me escape and I owe them. |
| 2 | When I ran away I left someone important behind. I will free them too. |
| 3 | The one who kept me prisoner dominates my thoughts. I have to go back and end them. |
| 4 | I know I was abused but I still miss my abuser. |
| 5 | I met someone important after I ran away. I never knew people could be like this. |
| 6 | No one else should have to endure the hardships I’ve been through. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I ran away once and I will do it again. |
| 2 | I ran away once and I’m not running anymore. I’m stubborn to a fault and won’t back down from situations I should. |
| 3 | I will never fully trust anyone other than myself. |
| 4 | I’d rather kill someone in their sleep than fight fair. |
| 5 | Deep down, I believe I deserved the abuse I suffered. |
| 6 | I’m haunted by nightmares of my past. |
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