You were once a great hero, admired and relied upon by all. Your name was known across the land, and your deeds were innumerable. Surely you would have become a legend, immortal through time itself.
Until…that thing happened.
That thing completely and utterly ruined your reputation. Your name became stricken and sordid. Perhaps you were chased out of your homeland or the land where you resided, or maybe you were hunted and had to change your identity completely. Regardless, your name is still known across the land…but for all the wrong reasons.
- Skill Proficiencies: Deception, History
- Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, Forgery kit
- Equipment: Disguise kit OR forgery kit, letter from an long-forgotten admirer, a special award or commendation that was given to you, a token or trinket that directly reminds you of that thing, and 10 GP
Roll a 1d10 to determine that thing, or create your own.
| d10 | That Thing |
|---|---|
| 1 | You got drunk and had an affair with someone in the house you served. (If applicable, the baby is yours). |
| 2 | During a bloody battle, you were forced to sacrifice your comrades. |
| 3 | While saving a family from a house fire, you decided to swipe some valuables that surely would have just perished in the blaze. |
| 4 | You paid an apothecary to poison your rival. The apothecary then blackmailed you. |
| 5 | You abandoned your companion/protégé/friend/shield servant, leading to their death. |
| 6 | You used your public platform to speak ill of the gentry. |
| 7 | You once served the church, and were convicted of high blasphemy. |
| 8 | You embezzled funds from a charity you were part of to pay off gambling debts. |
| 9 | While hunting for a hefty bounty, you killed the wrong person. |
| 10 | While showing off to a crowd of eager onlookers, a cool knife juggling trick went horribly wrong. |
Your deeds, and misdeeds, are known across the land. Barring a total transformation of your appearance and name, those who keep up with current events, gossip, and news are aware of who you are. Those that are ignorant to your misdeeds are easily dazzled by your façade, while those that are privy to who you really are will meet you with hatred, fear, or simply disgust. You have one or two diehard fans in every city who would be thrilled to meet you.
Suggested Characteristics
You are a person who has known glory and fame, and fallen to rock bottom. A fallen hero may be destitute and depressed if their fall was recent, or optimistic and working their way back up to redemption. They may also have done a face-heel turn intentionally, and have no desire to return to their former glory.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am haunted by my past deeds, and seek forgiveness and redemption through my actions. |
| 2 | I strayed from the path willingly to seek freedom. A hero's life wasn't for me, it turns out. |
| 3 | I have changed identities so many times that I have forgotten who I really am. |
| 4 | My misfortune has caused me to turn to drink, now I'm little more than a washed-up drunk. |
| 5 | Anything that reminds me of my past causes me to panic and flee from the situation. |
| 6 | I am bitter about my misfortune and will take it out on anyone who looks at me wrong. |
| 7 | I still have a hero's charm, and will flirt with anything sentient. |
| 8 | I always have a smile and kind word for others. It's easier to hide the pain than face it. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | I will do whatever it takes to reclaim my honor, even if that means starting from the bottom. (Good) |
| 2 | I feel lost and hopeless, my only goal is to start over and forget who I used to be. (Neutral) |
| 3 | I didn't deserve what happened to me. And I will have my revenge. (Evil) |
| 4 | I feel great shame for betraying the institutions that I once loyally served, and will do whatever it takes to return to their good graces. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Redemption starts small. I try to do one good deed everyday. (Good) |
| 6 | Laws are what got me into this mess. Only by eschewing them will I finally be free again. (Chaotic) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I betrayed someone close to me. I will not have peace until they forgive me. |
| 2 | The souls of the dead haunt me relentlessly. |
| 3 | I get very close to people, terrified of losing anyone again. |
| 4 | I blame the gods for my misfortune. |
| 5 | I crave the intoxicating feeling of being admired by the commonfolk. |
| 6 | My family is back home waiting for me. I wonder if they know the depth of my misdeeds. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I was, and continue to be, a malignant narcissist. |
| 2 | I get very down on myself and have low self esteem. |
| 3 | I anger easily and lash out at anything that reminds me of specific things from my past. |
| 4 | I am distrustful and suspicious of everyone around me. Anyone could be an enemy. |
| 5 | I am too good at deceiving others. Nothing I say is true or genuine. |
| 6 | Bad luck follows me wherever I go. I'm a liability. |
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