After many years entangled in the underworld, you have been left mentally, emotionally, and physically scarred. The horrors you have experienced, witnessed, or inflicted weighs heavy on you and in many ways defines the person you have become. You might seek to leave that damned life behind, or the darkness may draw you in ever-closer. You may hold remorse or guilt following an especially heinous encounter, or perhaps you inhabit an isolation of your own creation after pushing away every person who cares about you for their own good. The wound on your soul may be the product of your countless crimes against society, an arcane curse upon your existence, or an unfortunate combination of both. In any case, this burden is yours to bear and it shows itself in the cold air that surrounds you and the hollowness of your stare.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Arcana, Deception, Intimidation, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, or Survival.
- Tool Proficiencies: Choose two from among Alchemist's Supplies, Disguise Kit, Forgery Kit, Painter's Supplies, Poisoner's Kit, or Thieves' Tools.
- Equipment: One trinket of special significance (choose one or roll on the Horror Trinkets table after this background), a set of dark common clothes including a hood, Thieves' Tools, and 15 gp.
Haunting Past
Prior to becoming an adventurer, you faced an unimaginable horror and the trauma of that experience lingers in your being to this day. You may try to run from the past, but this nightmare may consume your waking life if you never face it. Choose a Haunting Past that has shaped you, or roll one on the Harrowing Events table.
| d10 |
Haunting Past |
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1
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An enemy that you let get away ended up having your entire clan slaughtered.
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2
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You are a part of a dark lineage that refuses to let you slip from their grip and influence.
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3
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Someone close to you was murdered in order to draw you out. You will never live this down.
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4
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You were sacrificed to a great evil and their presence lingers on your soul, pressing upon you to carry out their bloodthirsty desires.
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5
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A dark spirit stole away your loved one in the night, and all your tireless efforts to find them again have been for naught.
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6
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You were tortured endlessly by captors and that trauma is held both in your body and mind.
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7
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A monster left you alive after mercilessly killing your family in front of you. You crave vengeance like no other.
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8
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You stood idly by while your comrades committed heinous acts to innocents. You hear their screams when you sleep and you can't seem to find any way to cleanse your conscience.
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9
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You have been cursed and its nefarious effects grow worse with each passing day. The figure who spellbound you remains untouchable to your great dismay.
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10
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You committed terrible acts of violence and the victims of your past lurk in your nightmares.
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Feature: Cast in Shadows
Your damned legacy proceeds you within the underworld network you’ve cultivated. Gaining access to information, jobs, and discounted items through these sources is effortless, though it’s uncertain if it’s because they fear you or idolize you. To commoners, a darkness is sensed in you that they’d prefer to avoid provoking. For this reason, people tend to avoid looking you in the face and you roll with advantage on stealth rolls after dusk falls.
Suggested Characteristics
You have been through enough hardship and pain for three lifetimes. You will fight to preserve the few sources of joy and love that you have left, as their loss could be your undoing.
| d8 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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I don’t run from evil. Evil runs 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 stop the spirits that haunt me 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 owe a great debt and I must do whatever it takes to pay it back.
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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 torment 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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Someone I loved died because of a mistake I made. That will never happen again.
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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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