You are a native to the underdark, and while you may leave, it will always be a part of you. Of the myriad of creatures that dwell in the darkness the intelligent races are counted among the weaker ones, surviving through strength of numbers and intellectual cunning.
Whatever the reason, you have left your home to find yourself in a life of adventure.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Medicine, Nature, Perception, Survival, Stealth
- Tool Proficiencies: Any one kit or tool set of your choice.
- Languages: Undercommon
- Equipment: One set of dark traveler's clothes including a hood, any one kit or tool set you are proficient with, a small knife, a pouch containing 5 gp, and a gem worth 10 gp.
Many types of people inhabit the Underdark, and an Underdark denizen may have left their home for any number of reasons. Choose or roll on the following table to determine why you have ventured away from home.
| d6 | Why did you leave? |
|---|---|
| 1 | Your home was overrun by illithids and you were the only one to escape their thralls |
| 2 | Your home was taken over by slavers and you narrowly escaped |
| 3 | Your home was overrun by an aboleth |
| 4 | Your home was conquered by Yuan-ti |
| 5 | Your friends and family were slain by drow (if you are drow, then this is just politics) |
| 6 | You were sent out as a right of passage to adulthood |
You are more familiar than the average adventurer when it comes to fellow folk of the Underdark. Where surface dwellers would not even be given a chance, you are able to speak and parlay with other Underdark denizens, potentially securing safe trade or passage.
Suggested Characteristics
Underdark dwellers might seem like villains on the surface, and many of them are villainous to the core. But some have an abundance of endearing, if not redeeming, characteristics. There might be honor among thieves, but Underdark denizens rarely show any respect for surface law or authority.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong. |
| 2 | I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me. |
| 3 | The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuable—or where such things could be hidden. |
| 4 | I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy. |
| 5 | I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. |
| 6 | I don’t pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. |
| 7 | The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can’t do it. |
| 8 | I blow up at the slightest insult. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Honor. I don’t steal from others in the trade. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Charity. I steal from the wealthy so that I can help people in need. (Good) |
| 4 | Greed. I will do whatever it takes to become wealthy. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. I’m loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I care. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Redemption. There’s a spark of good in everyone. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor. |
| 2 | My ill-gotten gains go to support my family. |
| 3 | Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back. |
| 4 | I will become the greatest thief that ever lived. |
| 5 | I’m guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it. |
| 6 | Someone I loved died because of a mistake I made. That will never happen again. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | When I see something valuable, I can’t think about anything but how to steal it. |
| 2 | When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money. |
| 3 | If there’s a plan, I’ll forget it. If I don’t forget it, I’ll ignore it. |
| 4 | I have a “tell” that reveals when I’m lying. |
| 5 | I turn tail and run when things look bad. |
| 6 | An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. I’m okay with that. |
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