The open seas can be a dangerous place, as any sailor will tell you. While you were sailing the open world a tragic event happened that left you stranded in a mysterious place. With no other survivors you are left alone to survive the wilderness with your perseverance. Where some would struggle or outright die, you made it work and in some ways lived semi-comfortably.
- Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Investigation
- Tool Proficiencies: A Gaming Set or Instrument that you made to entertain yourself
Your choice of Cartographer's tools or Mason's tools
- Equipment: Set of handmade tools, A simple melee weapon, A simple ranged weapon, 3 snare traps, pouch of dried meats, tattered common clothes, A set of warm furs (If deserted area is colder), and a trinket from the trinket table (PHB 159).
1 The captain and crew didn't spot the glacier, but I jumped at first sight, I survived with minor hypothermia. The others weren't so lucky.
2 A storm devastated our ship, I don't remember much from that night. Only that the next day I was ashore without the rest of my crew.
3 It was a calm transport trip for the kingdom, until it was discovered a saboteur rigged explosives in the hold, luckily I was in the crows nest otherwise you'd be toast
4 The divisive leadership caused an uncontrollable mutiny that got out of hand. I was able to hide from the bloodshed, but by the time I poked my head out there were none left. It was fortunate I was able to navigate a dinghy to an abandoned landmass
5 What was supposed to be a calm relaxing trip turned into a nightmare when a gargantuan monstrosity attacked the ship. I don't know if there were any other survivors, but hey aren't with me.
6 A constant threat become an actuality when a ship full of pirates invaded our ship. Some were taking prisoner, some killed on the spot, but luckily they just made me jump ship.
7 A vortex of magical energies split our small ship and crew into pieces and threw us through different planes of existence, I know now that I was fortunate to find myself in the Feywild, but that didn't make the separation any easier.
8 Being a navigator I made certain we were going the right way, but we somehow kept passing the same island, the stars never changed, and tensions were high. Madness spread like a plague. Food ran short, and the only option was the island... boy was that a mistake.
How long have you been by yourself? A week? A month? A Year? who knows, but your time spent living in seclusion have produced abilities helpful for group survival. You can reliably find fresh water, food, shelter, and supplies within nature. During a short rest each allied creature to you can roll an additional hit die without expense.
Suggested Characteristics
Where other backgrounds like the hermit embrace seclusion, a shipwrecked character counts down each day til they can return to society. However being away for so long is a disturbance to the mental acuity of an individual. While they might be happy to be apart of a group they can not connect with people like they used to. However, that does not mean they are anti-charismatic, the manifestation of abnormalities vary widely.
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d8 |
Personality Traits |
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1 |
I've been isolated for so long that I rarely speak, preferring gestures and the occasional grunt |
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2 |
I am extremely calm in most situations, but if a situation becomes threatening I revert to a feral state. |
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3 |
I learned a lot from nature and protect it from those who would disrespect it. |
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4 |
Survivor's Guilt is real and I have it. I am haunted by the memories of those I lost on that tragic night. |
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5 |
Every night I have to ease my way into sleep by singing a comforting song. |
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6 |
I am forever scared of water, and while I can force myself to swim when I have to, I will not put my head underwater for any circumstance. |
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7 |
Before I travel I inspect every detail of the vessel, and am always watching for trouble on the journey, even ignoring sleep if I have to. |
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8 |
I've learned to become one with nature. When I sleep I must be able to see the stars. (Variant) I also blanket myself with soil and my surroundings. Ideal |
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d6 |
Ideal |
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1 |
Protect. You’ve learned that life of those around you are precious, and you refuse to abandon any party member. (Good) |
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2 |
Nature. The natural world is powerful and lends it to those who can persevere through it. Attuning to nature is the only way to attain true power (Lawful) |
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3 |
Revenge. If there were individuals to blame for your shipwrecking than you are hell bent on finding them and avenging those whose life they stole. Or you might seek revenge on the world by attacking disciples of a god who would be overseeing the travesty that happened to you.(Evil) |
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4 |
Power. You seek raw power to protect everyone from what you’ve had to endure (Chaotic) |
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5 |
Destiny. What happened was fate, and you were sent on this path for a reason (Neutral) |
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6 |
Darwinism. I survived because I was the most suitable too. Any other person in my situation wouldn’t be able to say the same. I am the fittest and I am here to survive, ridding the world of those who can’t. (Evil) |
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d6 |
Bond |
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1 |
The memory of those who died in your place is the most holy bond, anyone who disrespects them will feel your wrath. |
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2 |
You’ve been separated from your loved ones for so long. You will do anything to find your way back to them. |
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3 |
In a weird occurrence a plant asked you to spread its kind to the rest of the world. When you enter a new land you plant one of the many saplings it has given you. |
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4 |
you have been, and will forever be loyal to your kingdom. you must report back to them. |
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5 |
you’ve befriended the wildlife in the area often looking back on the unnatural friendliness of the creatures. |
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6 |
You are bondless. You are constantly trying to reach for acceptance, but whether you find it is yet to be discovered. |
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d6 |
Flaws |
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1 |
You’ve become addicted to chewing on an antidepressant herb found exclusively in your abandoned part of the world. Once it runs out, you will have to resort to some other vice |
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2 |
You have found that talking is a necessity in order to not go insane. So you talk a lot, to the dismay of many. However, this is endearing to many as well |
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3 |
Being isolated caused you to not know social boundaries. You will say inappropriate, rude, or hurtful things because it’s true without thinking of the repercussions. |
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4 |
You are used to making things that you need, so if you do find yourself needing something then you make it. Even if you could purchase those items, you prefer to create it, usually of lesser quality. |
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5 |
You whistle incessantly, refuse to use utensils for eating, and chew with your mouth open |
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6 |
When you see trouble you try and fix it without consulting anybody. |
The wildlife around you is relentless, and you find yourself fighting with your surroundings more than you like. When you attack with an improvised weapon with no resemblence to an actual weapon than it deals 2d4 damage instead of 1.
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