Songs and sagas tell of heroes who, as children, were raised by creatures most view as monsters. You were one such child. Found, taken, left, or otherwise given to your monstrous parents, you were raised as one of their own species. Life with your adopted family could not have been easy for you, but the adversity and hardships you experienced only made you stronger. Perhaps you were "rescued" from your adopted family after only a short time with them, or perhaps only now have you realized the truth of your heritage. Maybe you've since learned enough to civilized behavior to get by, or perhaps your "monstrous" tendencies are more evident. As you set out to make your way in the world, the time you spent with your adopted parents continues to shape your past and future.
- Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation, Survival
- Languages: One of your choice, typically your adopted parents' (if any)
- Equipment: A fur taken from a kill, rough jewelry made in the wild, ragged, patchwork clothing, and a pouch containing 5 gp
Prior to becoming an adventurer, you defined your history by the creatures who raised you. Choose a type of creature for your adopted parents or roll a d10 and consult the table below. Work with your DM to determine which specific creature of that type adopted you. If you are of a particular race or species that matches a result on the table, your adopted parent can't be of the same race or species as you, as the background represents an individual raised by a creature or in a culture very different or even alien to their birth parents.
| d10 | Adoptive Parents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Humanoid (such as a gnoll, goblin, kobold, or orc) |
| 2 | Abberation (such as an aboleth, chuul, cloaker, or otyugh) |
| 3 | Beast (such as a wolf, bear, ape, or tyrannosaurus rex) |
| 4 | Celestial or Fiend (such as a balor, bearded devil, couatl, deva, or unicorn) |
| 5 | Dragon (such as a dragon turtle, pseudodragon, red dragon, or wyvern) |
| 6 | Elemental (such as an efreeti, gargoyle, salamander, or water elemental) |
| 7 | Fey (such as a dryad, green hag, satyr, or sprite) |
| 8 | Giant (such as an ettin, fire giant, ogre, or troll) |
| 9 | Plant or Ooze (such as an awakened shrub, gray ooze, shambling mound, or treant) |
| 10 | Monstrosity (such as a behir, chimera, griffon, or mimic) |
Your time with your adopted parents taught you an entire lexicon of habits, behaviors, and intuitions suited to life in the wild among creatures of your parents' type. When you are in the same type of terrain your adopted parents inhabit, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to five other people each day. In addition, when you encounter a creature like your adopted parents the creature is predisposed to hear your words instead of leaping directly into battle. Mindless or simple creatures might not respond to your overtures, but more intelligent creatures my be friendly if approached in an appropriate manner.
Suggested Characteristics
When monstrous adoptees leave their adopted parents for the wider world, they often have a hard time adapting. What is common or usual for many humanoids strikes them as surprising, frightening, or infuriating depending on the individual. Some make an effort to adjust their habits and imitate those around them, but not all. Some lean into their differences, reveling in shocking those around them.
When you choose a creature to be your character's adopted parent, think about how that might affect your character. Was your character treated kindly? Was your character traded to their adopted parents as part of some mysterious bargain? Did your character seek constant escape or do they miss their adoptive parents?
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I don't eat my friends (at least, not while they are alive). My foes, on the other hand... |
| 2 | Meeting another's gaze is a challenge for dominance that I never fail to answer. |
| 3 | Monsters I understand. People are confusing. |
| 4 | There are two types of creatures in life: prey or not-prey. |
| 5 | I often use the growls, hisses, or calls of my adopted parents instead of words. |
| 6 | Inconsequential items fascinate me. |
| 7 | It's not my fault. I wasn't raised like you. |
| 8 | I may look fine, but behave like a monster. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Intimidation. After seeing the wider world, I want to be the monster that strikes fear into the hearts of "civilized" people. (Evil) |
| 2 | Insight. I want to understand the world of my adopted parents. (Any) |
| 3 | Harmony. With my unique perspective and upbringing, I hope to bring understanding between the different creatures of the world. (Good) |
| 4 | Freedom. My past away from law-abiding society has shown me the ridiculousness of those laws. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Revenge. I want revenge for my lost childhood. Monsters must die! (Any) |
| 6 | Redemption. I will rise above the cruelty of my adopted parent and embrace the wider world. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My birth parents are out there somewhere and I will find them. |
| 2 | I rely on my companions to teach me how to behave appropriately in their society. |
| 3 | I have an adoptive sibling that was raised alongside me, and now they've been kidnapped! |
| 4 | My monstrous family deserves a place in this world, too. |
| 5 | I'm hiding from my monstrous family and they want me back. |
| 6 | An old enemy of my adopted parents is on my trail. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | What? I like my meat raw. Is that so strange? |
| 2 | I like to collect parts from my fallen foes. They don't smell that bad. |
| 3 | I usually forget about pesky social conventions like "personal property" and "laws". |
| 4 | I am easily startled by loud noises or bright lights. |
| 5 | I have trouble respecting anyone who can't best me in a fight. |
| 6 | Kindness is for the weak. |
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