The demons came into your world, their only desire to extinguish all life. They slaughtered your loved ones and razed your home. you tried to stop them, and you failed. Nothing remained of you but rage and determination, and you learned that the things that once tormented you could give you power. Now you see that there is no sacrifice too great if it means the survival of your world.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Arcana, Insight, History, or Survival
- Languages: Choose one exotic language (Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, or Undercommon)
- Equipment: A monster hunter’s pack (see the sidebar), a set of common clothes, and one trinket of special significance (choose one or roll on the Gothic Trinkets table after this background).
Harrowing Event
Prior to becoming an adventurer, your path in life was defined by one dark moment, one fateful decision, or one tragedy. Now you feel a darkness threatening to consume you, and you fear there may be no hope of escape. Choose a harrowing event that haunts you, or roll one on the Harrowing Events table.
| d7 |
Harrowing Event |
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1
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Demons slaughtered your loved ones and razed your home, you alone survive.
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2
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Your family has consorted with demons in the past and are now reviled and looked upon with distrust.
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3
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An demon took your sibling one cold, dark night, and you were unable to stop it.
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4
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You were possessed by a demon and later cured. You are now haunted by the innocents you slaughtered.
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5
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A witch kidnapped and raised you. You escaped, but the witch still has a demonic hold over you and fills your mind with evil thoughts.
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6
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You opened an eldritch tome and saw things unfit for a sane mind. You burned the book, but its words and images are burned into your psyche.
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7
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You did terrible things to avenge the murder of someone you loved. You became a monster, and it haunts your waking dreams.
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Feature: Heart of Darkness
Those who look into your eyes (or lack thereof) can see that you have faced unimaginable horror and that you are no stranger to darkness. Society doesn't understand the sacrifice you've made and are fearful and distrustful of you. This fear makes commoners susceptible to any attempt to persuade or intimidate them, if they don't recoil in terror at the sight of you.
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.
| d7 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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Demons can't hide 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 demon inside 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 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 demons 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 keep the demon inside me contained. (Good)
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4
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No sacrifice is too great if it means the survival of our world. (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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Nothing will stand in the way of my vengeance, friend or foe. (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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I've sacrificed everything to pursue my vengeance.
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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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The demon inside me threatens to take control every day. It must never be set free.
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6
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I have a child to protect. I must make the world a safer place for him (or 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 to keep the demon contained. 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 turn to vices to escape the reality of my situation.
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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 sometimes talk to the demon inside me, which no one else can see or hear.
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