Paladin Penitent

You have committed a heinous crime that haunts your conscience, your dreams, your nightmares, and your waking moments. You were forced to - or otherwise chose to - run from your actions, and regardless of whether or not you were caught, your fate has been placed in the hands of one of the Good Gods or their clergy. Instead of executing you for your crimes, they have chosen instead to spare you, and offered the chance to redeem yourself in both their eyes and your own. You have sworn a Paladin's Oath in their name, and they have sent you out into the world to find redemption and do good deeds in their name.

Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Deception, Investigation, Religion, or Survival

Languages: Choose two, one of which must be Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, or Undercommon

Equipment: A monster hunter’s pack (containing a chest, a crowbar, a hammer, three wooden stakes, a holy symbol, a flask of holy water, a set of manacles, a steel mirror, a flask of oil, a tinderbox, and 3 torches),  a set of common clothes, a (custom) magic item at DM's discretion.

In regards to the magic item, it should be something that fits the Paladin Penitent theme. E.g. a cursed item that leeches health from it's wielder while dealing more damage than a normal weapon of it's type. The double-edged sword caveat makes it a little more balanced than just straight up getting a +1 sword and also gives the DM room for unique magic items to be introduced earlier in the campaign - bonus points if the item evolves with the character.

TO BE CLEAR: THIS BACKGROUND IS INTENDED FOR USE IN A NON-STANDARD DND CAMPAIGN, THIS IS FOR REASONS OF BALANCE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES EXPECT YOUR DM TO GIVE YOU A CUSTOM MAGIC ITEM JUST BECAUSE YOU CHOSE THIS BACKGROUND. IT IS AN OPTION, NOT A MANDATE.

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.

d6	Personality Trait
1	I don’t run from evil. Evil runs from me.
2	I like to read and memorize poetry. It keeps me calm and brings me fleeting moments of happiness.
3	I live for the thrill of the hunt.
4	I don’t talk about the thing that torments me. I’d rather not burden others with my curse.
5	I expect danger around every corner.
6	I refuse to become a victim, and I will not allow others to be victimized.

d4	Ideal
1	I try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good)
2	I kill monsters to make the world a safer place, and to exorcise my own demons. (Good)
3	I like to know my enemy’s capabilities and weaknesses before rushing into battle. (Lawful)
4	I’m a monster that destroys other monsters, and anything else that gets in my way. (Evil)

d4	Bond
1	I keep my thoughts and discoveries in a journal. My journal is my legacy.
2	I would sacrifice my life and my soul to protect the innocent.
3	A terrible guilt consumes me. I hope that I can find redemption through my actions.
4	I have a child to protect. I must make the world a safer place for him (or her).

d4	Flaw
1	I have certain rituals that I must follow every day. I can never break them.
2	I assume the worst in people.
3	I feel no compassion for the dead. They’re the lucky ones.
4	I talk to spirits that no one else can see.