You were once a member of a powerful noble family that ruled over vast lands and had great connections. However, due to circumstances beyond your control ─ or perhaps they were ─ you or your family has fallen from grace. Perhaps the downfall was caused by an unforgivable crime committed by one of your family members, a revolution that overthrew your family's reign or the absence of heirs to maintain the family's legacy. Or were you disowned for not following family tradition? Did you leave on your own accord, not wanting to be bound by the fate your parents had set out for you? Whatever the cause, your noble title is no more, and you can't legally claim any privileges that would have come with it.
Consider how your character would react to the loss of nobility. Did you witness the collapse of your family's power, or were you born into this new reality? Will you attempt to reclaim your status, or is it something you wish to leave behind? What does "being a noble" mean to you? Is it something prideful to strive towards or shameful to bury?
Talk with your DM to flesh out your family's backstory and how their downfall affected the world in your campaign. Will you strive to regain your title or distance yourself from it? Will you keep your true identity secret or proudly announce it? The choices you make are entirely up to you and will shape the course of your character's journey.
- Skill Proficiencies: History, Persuasion or Deception
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment: A set of fine clothes and common clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of pedigree, and a purse containing 25 gp
Your family was once wealthy and powerful, but something caused you to lose everything. What happened? Was it something out of your control, or did you have a part in it? Was your own family to blame? Or perhaps another noble family wanting to take you down? Discuss with your DM what caused your downfall or roll a d6 and choose from the table below.
| d6 | Downfall of the Powerful |
|---|---|
| 1 | Someone in my family committed a heinous crime, which led to our family's downfall. |
| 2 | I left my family and power behind as I refused to be bound by the fate set out for me. |
| 3 | I was disowned for my refusal to adhere to family traditions. |
| 4 | Our family's reign was overthrown during a revolution. |
| 5 | Another noble successfully plotted our downfall through deceit and sabotage. |
| 6 | Due to the absence of willing heirs, our house could not continue and lost its status. |
You have learned the mannerisms and speech patterns of the common folk while remembering the education you received as nobility. You can fluidly switch between both ways, and only the keenest observers would suspect your true identity. With deception, your former noble status can also provide access to specific events or locations mentioned in the Noble background. However, this may come with potential consequences.
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