You are haunted by the pits you were forced to fight in. Taken young, or joined willingly, not knowing what you were getting into, you are intimately familiar with killing and death. You’ve tried to bury it and run away from it, to no avail. The memories in your head or the people you once knew can’t be slain with a sword or banished with a spell. It might come to you as a shadow on the wall, a bloodcurdling nightmare, a memory that refuses to die, or a demonic whisper in the dark. You remember. The burden has taken its toll, isolating you from most people and making you question your sanity. You must find a way to overcome it or the people from the past before they destroy you.
(Basically combining the Haunted One background and the Gladiator Background to spice up your gladiator with some trauma for that sweet sweet in-game Angst)
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Athletics, Investigation, Intimidation, or Survival
- Tool Proficiencies: You gain proficiency in disguise kits and land vehicles
- Languages: You gain one language, of which must be Deep Speech, Infernal, Thieves Cant, or Undercommon
- Equipment: A set of set of manacles, A past trophy from winning, set of common clothes, a costume from your time as a gladiator, an unusual weapon ( such as a net, scimitar, or trident), and a small pouch with 15gp.
Your time as a gladiator haunts you, no matter if you were forced into it or joined willingly at first. You quickly become aware of the dire situation you are in. Forced to compete, your only option is to kill or be killed. You raise through the ranks of the fighters, refusing to die, and become the champion of the ring.
| d6 | Unwilling Champion |
|---|---|
| 1 | A monster slaughtered your family and without any guidance, you join the rings, unknowing of the consequences |
| 2 | Your family has a history of dealing in illegal dealings, they give you to the ring as payment |
| 3 | You are haunted by all the innocent people you had to kill. You can still hear their pained cries for mercy and help |
| 4 | You were kidnapped and put in the ring against your will. Now all the memories of the people you have killed follow you wherever you go |
| 5 | Your god commanded you to enter the ring and abandoned you soon after |
| 6 | Your friend in the ring was killed, when pitted against their killer, you lose control and savagely avenge your fallen friend |
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 terror that haunts you. You are a survivor, who can be very protective of those who bring light into your darkened life.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I don’t run from evil. Evil runs from me. |
| 2 | I like to read and memorize poetry. It keeps me calm and brings me fleeting moments of happiness. |
| 3 | I spend money freely and live life to the fullest, knowing that tomorrow I might die. |
| 4 | I live for the thrill of the hunt. |
| 5 | I don’t talk about the thing that torments me. I’d rather not burden others with my curse. |
| 6 | I expect danger around every corner. |
| 7 | I refuse to become a victim again, and I will not allow others to be victimized. |
| 8 | I put no trust in divine beings. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | I try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good) |
| 2 | I’ll stop the spirits that haunt me or die trying. (Any) |
| 3 | I kill monsters to make the world a safer place, and to exorcise my own demons. (Good) |
| 4 | I have a dark calling that puts me above the law. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | I like to know my enemy’s capabilities and weaknesses before rushing into battle. (Lawful) |
| 6 | I’m a monster that destroys other monsters, and anything else that gets in my way. (Evil) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I keep my thoughts and discoveries in a journal. My journal is my legacy. |
| 2 | I would sacrifice my life and my soul to protect the innocent. |
| 3 | My torment drove away the person I love. I strive to win back the love I’ve lost. |
| 4 | A terrible guilt consumes me. I hope that I can find redemption through my actions. |
| 5 | There’s evil in me, I can feel it. It must never be set free. |
| 6 | I have a child to protect. I must make the world a safer place for him (or her). |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have certain rituals that I must follow every day. I can never break them. |
| 2 | I assume the worst in people. |
| 3 | I feel no compassion for the dead. They’re the lucky ones. |
| 4 | I have an addiction. |
| 5 | I am a purveyor of doom and gloom who lives in a world without hope. |
| 6 | I talk to spirits that no one else can see. |
Comments