You are cursed by something or someone and are trying to lift the curse but you have limited information about how. Whatever this curse is, it is not obvious to other people. It may be a prediction of doom in your future, harm you will do to a loved one for example. it may already be in effect e.g. you are cursed to appear in a different form to your real one. Most people don't believe you about the curse and when you tell them about it they question your sanity. As a result you may avoid speaking about it. Though since you are seeking to lift it, you may also talk about it a bit too much. You must find a way to lift it before it becomes permanent.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Arcana, Investigation, Religion, or Survival
- Languages: Choose two, one of which must be Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, or Undercommon
- Equipment: A monster hunter’s pack (containing a chest, a crowbar, a hammer, three wooden stakes, a holy symbol, a flask of holy water, a set of manacles, a steel mirror, a flask of oil, a tinderbox, and 3 torches), one trinket of special significance (choose one or roll on the Horror Trinkets table after this background), a set of common clothes, and 1 sp.
Curse Origin
Prior to becoming an adventurer, your path in life was defined by one dark moment, one fateful decision, or one tragedy which resulted in your being cursed. That curse will eventually happen or become permanent, and you fear there may be no hope of lifting it in time. Choose the origin of your curse, or roll one on the Curse Origin table.
| d10 |
Curse Origin |
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1
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You desecrated a tomb whilst searching for a historical artefact. Those who were with you have all died in mysterious circumstances.
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2
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You stole a jewel or artefact from a temple, and now the God is angry with you
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3
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You once named the forbidden play inside a theatre or equivalent. Now you sometimes hear strange music that bids you want to come towards it. Many of your fellow performers from that play have mysteriously disappeared.
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4
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Your family once annoyed a magic user, who then placed a curse on you as a baby. You do everything you can to avoid the object that will trigger the curse into effect.
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5
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When you were young you were arrogant and full of hubris and vanity. You rudely rejected the advances of magic user who came to you in disguise, and they transformed you into a creature other than your birth form. It will become permanent at some future point in time.
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6
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You seduced someone you shouldn't have. They have cursed you to die alone and anyone you get too close to romantically suffers a hideous death.
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7
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You desecrated a druid's sacred space and are cursed to always be hungry. If you do not regularly eat, you will end up eating your own flesh.
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8
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You once spied on a priest or priestess bathing, and they cursed you with blindness. It comes and goes, you never know when it will hit.
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9
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You refused the order of a God, and they cursed you to always be "the one". For example, at campfires the smoke blows in your direction. When crossing marshy terrain, all the insects prefer to bite you.
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10
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You were granted a wish by a magical being but were over greedy, and the wish backfired into a curse.
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Feature: Heart of Darkness
Those who look into your eyes can see that you have faced unimaginable horror and that you are no stranger to darkness. Though they might fear you, commoners will extend you every courtesy and do their utmost to help you. Unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them, they will even take up arms to fight alongside you, should you find yourself facing an enemy alone.
Suggested Characteristics
You have learned to live with the doom or curse that you are under. You are a survivor, who can be very protective of those who bring hope into your doomed life.
| d8 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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I don’t let myself enjoy any one thing more than any other, as I am afraid it will be taken away from me.
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2
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I like to read and memorize poetry. It keeps me calm and brings me fleeting moments of happiness.
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3
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I spend money freely and live life to the fullest, knowing that tomorrow I might die.
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4
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I live for the thrill of the hunt.
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5
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I don’t talk about the thing that torments me. I’d rather not burden others with my curse.
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6
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I expect danger around every corner.
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7
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I refuse to become a victim, and I will not allow others to be victimized.
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8
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I put no trust in divine beings.
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| d6 |
Ideal |
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1
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I try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good)
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2
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I’ll lift my curse or die trying. (Any)
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3
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I kill monsters to make the world a safer place, and to exorcise my own demons. (Good)
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4
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I have a dark calling that puts me above the law. (Chaotic)
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5
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I like to know my enemy’s capabilities and weaknesses before rushing into battle. (Lawful)
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6
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I’m a monster that destroys other monsters, and anything else that gets in my way. (Evil)
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| d6 |
Bond |
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1
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I keep my thoughts and discoveries in a journal. My journal is my legacy.
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2
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I would sacrifice my life and my soul to protect the innocent.
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3
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My curse drove away the person I love. I strive to win back the love I’ve lost.
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4
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A terrible guilt consumes me. I hope that I can find redemption through my actions.
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5
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There’s evil in me, I can feel it. It must never be set free.
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6
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I have a child to protect. I must make myself a safer person to be around for him/her.
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| d6 |
Flaw |
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1
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I have certain rituals that I must follow every day. I can never break them.
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2
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I assume the worst in people.
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3
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I feel no compassion for the dead. They’re the lucky ones.
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4
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I have an addiction.
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5
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I am a purveyor of doom and gloom who lives in a world without hope.
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6
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I talk to spirits that no one else can see.
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