The Ouroboros are shrouded in darkness, by design.They aim to steer the progress of the Continent with a cloaked hand, often literally with the use of shadow-magic. Their symbol is an onyx snake eating its own tail, forming a figure-eight, often on a dark grey or black background. They have eight “heads,” or mafia-style family leadership with associated retainers. They are virtually unknown to the common folk, but to those in the know, they are only discussed in whispers or masked meetings.
Spells Known: Darkness (2nd Level), once a day. You can see through this magical darkness
You are an Ouroboros Agent. Your duty is to execute your handler’s chosen mission to ensure that Corathis stays on an even keel. Even if that means compromising your morals or targeting another Ouroboros agent or faction.
- Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Persuasion
- Tool Proficiencies: Disguise Kit
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment: A set of common clothes, a black cloak with a hood, a disguise kit, and a pouch containing 10 gp
The Ouroboros prey on people who have too much ambition for their own good. Often ambitious people with skeletons in their closets are approached by an Ouroboros Handler and offered to get them out of trouble. Choose a line of ambition that led you down this path or roll on the Ambition table.
| d6 | Ambition, to a fault |
|---|---|
| 1 | Honor. You will stop at nothing to regain the honor of your family, or bring honor to your name. |
| 2 | Respect. You must do what is necessary of you to be respected, or you will do as you are told so that one day others will follow you. |
| 3 | Wealth. You will become wealthier than you could ever imagine, or you will pay off a debt that weighs on you or your family. |
| 4 | Connection. You crave the kind of connection to other people that you see around you, or you are dreadfully lonely. |
| 5 | Meaning. You will finally mean something to yourself or others, or you will find meaning in your work. |
| 6 | Power. You will become a Masked leader of the Organization, or you will gain the power and prestige necessary to be respected. |
You have access to the Ouroboros network of agents and authority, which allows you to communicate with other members of the Organization over long distances. If you write a letter in a unique code, address it to your Handler, and cast it into a fire, the letter will burn to cinders and materialize whole again to your Handler.
These letters can be used to get yourself or your party out of trouble with the law, provided there is an Ouroboros connection nearby or another Agent can be sent to assist. Once you use this feature, you will need to respond to similar letters from you Handler, if necessary.
Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 2nd | darkness |
Suggested Characteristics
Agents of the Ouroboros are groomed to follow orders without question and to execute their missions without hesitation. The ambition that brings one into the order can lead them to traumatic experiences. This might lead to revolt against their Handler, as the darkness of their assignments deepens. Officially, no one ever leaves the Organization—but those desperate enough do whatever it takes to gain some measure of freedom.
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I prefer to keep my thoughts to myself. |
| 2 | I indulge my vice in excess to ease my guilt. |
| 3 | I reject strong emotions, even if I feel them. |
| 4 | One of my past assignments lingers in the back of my mind. |
| 5 | I always tell the truth – but never the whole truth |
| 6 | I laugh off most things but cannot shake the feeling that I am hiding in the laughter. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Order. The will of the Organization is absolute. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Ambition. The Ouroboros are more powerful than any nation. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Death. The penalty for disloyalty is death. (Evil) |
| 4 | Determination. I cannot fail – nor will I ever. (Neutral) |
| 5 | Fear. People should not respect us. They should fear us. (Evil) |
| 6 | Escape. The Ouroboros is evil, and I have done evil with them. I cannot atone for this, but I can escape with my life. (Any) |
| d4 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | The mission is all that matters. I will complete it. |
| 2 | My Handler knows what is best. I would die for them. |
| 3 | Everything I’ve done, I’ve done to protect someone. |
| 4 | If the Ouroboros falls, all of Corathis will fall with it. I will ensure the future for all of us in the shadows. |
| d4 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I drink to numb the pain. |
| 2 | I cannot stomach what lies within the shadow magic I wield. |
| 3 | I see the face of everyone I’ve ever killed. I see them when I close my eyes. |
| 4 | Fear is a powerful motivator. I will do whatever it takes to prevent those who know what I am from seeing me fail, and from those I care about from knowing what I am. |
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