Everyone was happy and living a good life, but you knew that wasn't the truth. There was always something; whispers heard through the walls of private chambers, snide remarks during dinner, convenient forgetfulness concerning group functions. As much or as little as you tried to prevent it, you drifted away from your loved one(s). It could have been your parents wanting different things for your future, or it could have been a lover with differences only discovered once living under the same roof, or another person that was important in your life.
- Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Perception
- Tool Proficiencies: Your choice of a gaming set or a musical instrument
- Languages: Any one of your choice
- Equipment: A painful keepsake, a set of traveler’s clothes, the tool you choose for this background’s tool proficiency, and a pouch containing 15 gp
There are times you think about getting rid of the thing, but you know you could never part with it. Roll on this table for the item the memories of your loved one(s) are bonded to.
| d8 | Painful Keepsake |
|---|---|
| 1 | A document such as a map, a letter, or a journal |
| 2 | A trinket |
| 3 | A trinket |
| 4 | An article of clothing |
| 5 | A piece of jewelry |
| 6 | An arcane book or formulary |
| 7 | A written story, song, poem, or secret |
| 8 | A tattoo or other body marking |
Either choose or roll on the contacts table for characters/places you share with the one(s) you are estranged to. Work with your Dungeon Master to come up with details: Who/what is this person/place, why is it important to both of you? Does your common ground side with you or the one(s) you are estranged to, and what is the full story? You might prefer for the DM to invent some of these details as part of the game, allowing you to learn more about how your past loved one(s) feels about your absence.
The Dungeon Master is free to use your common ground as a story hook, forcing you to confront things from your past, or challenging you to learn what caused the condition in the first place. When you begin your adventuring career, you can decide whether to tell your companions about your past right away. It can be a moment of bonding between certain members of the party or give them a better understanding into who you are.
Suggested Characteristics
Being estranged often gradually shifts the personality of a person. Your bonds and ideals could not only reflect the moment that caused the separation, but also how you've grown since that time. Whether you accept or regret what has happened, and how you'll go on is up to you.
| d12 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I judge people by their actions, not their words. |
| 2 | If someone is in trouble, I’m always ready to lend help. |
| 3 | When I set my mind to something, I follow through no matter what gets in my way. |
| 4 | I have a strong sense of fair play and always try to find the most equitable solution to arguments. |
| 5 | It doesn’t matter if the whole world’s against me. I’ll always do what I think is right. |
| 6 | I’m quick to jump to extreme solutions. Why risk a lesser option not working? |
| 7 | I misuse long words in an attempt to sound photosynthesis. |
| 8 | My favor, once lost, is lost forever. |
| 9 | I have a crude sense of humor. |
| 10 | I stretch the truth for the sake of a good story. |
| 11 | I like a job well done, especially if I can convince someone else to do it. |
| 12 | I bluntly say what other people are hinting at or hiding. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. (Good) |
| 2 | Fairness. No one should get preferential treatment before the law, and no one is above the law. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Freedom. It doesn't matter how anyone else feels, everyone makes their own choices. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. If I become strong, I can take what I want—what I deserve. (Evil) |
| 5 | Sincerity. There’s no good in pretending to be something I’m not. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Aspiration. I’m going to prove that I’m worthy of a better life. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I wonder if my estranged care now that I've been gone. One day, I hope to see them again. |
| 2 | It's fine if I'm forgotten, as long as I know who I am. |
| 3 | I'm going to prove that I'm worthy and my choices weren't wrong. |
| 4 | I will make amends for leaving all that time ago. I just need to figure out how. |
| 5 | What's done is done. No use crying over spilled milk. |
| 6 | I wish things were different all the time. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have to be shown that I'm wrong several times before I accept it. |
| 2 | It's not that I don't pay attention to others, I just care about myself more. |
| 3 | There's always something that is going wrong and I'm going to point that out. |
| 4 | I have a weakness for the vices of the city, especially hard drink. |
| 5 | Breaking the rules doesn't matter if you don't get caught. |
| 6 | I don't believe others are who they say they are. |
Contacts
Roll on this table to determine common ground.
| d6 | Contact |
|---|---|
| 1 | Parent |
| 2 | Sibling |
| 3 | Lover |
| 4 | Tavern |
| 5 | Hideaway |
| 6 | Friend |
Previous Versions
| Name | Date Modified | Views | Adds | Version | Actions |
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5/31/2023 12:01:09 PM
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Coming Soon
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