In the shadowed realms where moonlight dances upon ancient crypts and the echoes of distant howls linger, there exists a figure veiled in darkness—a creature cursed and blessed by the twisted tapestry of the night. Born from the embrace of eternal twilight, I am [Character Name], a vampire whose existence straddles the line between the mortal coil and the abyss beyond.
Long ago, in the distant echoes of a past life, I was a [insert former occupation or role], a mere mortal whose dreams and aspirations were abruptly extinguished by a fateful encounter. Whether through the sinister design of a vampire lord, the invocation of forbidden rituals, or the relentless pursuit of malevolent forces, I was thrust into the night, forever severed from the warmth of the sun's rays.
Now, clad in the shadows and wrapped in the secrets of centuries, I navigate the realms of the living with a burdened heart. Yet, amidst the darkness that courses through my veins, there persists a flicker of hope—a desire for redemption that transcends the crimson thirst within.
Wearing a mask of charm and guile, I move through society, concealing the truth of my cursed existence. Each step is a dance between the shadows, a delicate balance between the desire for connection and the need for isolation. The locket clasped around my neck holds the fading image of a loved one from my mortal days, a poignant reminder of the life I left behind and the struggles that lie ahead.
As a creature of the night, I have honed my skills in stealth and deception, using the gifts bestowed upon me by the curse to navigate the complexities of a world that often misunderstands my kind. Yet, within me lingers a sliver of humanity, a testament to a past that refuses to be entirely consumed by the shadows.
Driven by the quest for redemption, I seek to defy the malevolence that birthed me and forge a path toward salvation. My journey unfolds in the tapestry of moonlit nights and concealed secrets, a tale woven with the threads of both darkness and the dim light of hope. The world may tremble at the whisper of my name, but I am determined to transcend the curse that binds me and emerge from the night's embrace into a new dawn.
- Skill Proficiencies: Proficiency - Choose a Skill - Athletics, Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Arcana, History, Survival, Deception, Intimidation, Persuasion
- Languages: Language - Choose Two Languages - Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, Undercommon
Certainly! A background-specific table can add a layer of detail and randomness to your vampire character's backstory. Here's a background-specific table for a vampire character:
Vampire Background Table: Shrouded Past
Roll a d6 to determine your character's background details:
-
Tragic Turning: *Your transformation into a vampire was the result of a tragic event. Roll a d4:
- 1-2: A vampire lord forced the curse upon you.
- 3: A dark ritual went awry.
- 4: You were attacked and turned by a vampire in a fit of bloodlust.*
-
Noble Heritage: *You were once part of a noble family before your vampiric transformation. Roll a d4:
- 1-2: Your family disowned you.
- 3: Your family supports your quest for redemption.
- 4: You keep your vampiric nature a secret from your noble lineage.*
-
Sanguine Bonds: *You maintain ties with a group of vampires or supernatural beings. Roll a d4:
- 1: The group supports your quest for redemption.
- 2: The group is a loose alliance for mutual protection.
- 3: The group has conflicting goals with your own.
- 4: You have severed ties with the group but are hunted by them.*
-
Eternal Love: *A mortal love from your past still exists. Roll a d4:
- 1: Your love is unaware of your vampiric nature.
- 2: Your love is also a vampire.
- 3: Your love is now a vampire hunter.
- 4: Your love died tragically, and you seek to honor their memory.*
-
Ancient Artifact: *You possess an ancient artifact tied to your vampiric origins. Roll a d4:
- 1: The artifact is a cursed amulet.
- 2: The artifact is a family heirloom with hidden powers.
- 3: The artifact holds the key to breaking your vampiric curse.
- 4: The artifact attracts supernatural entities seeking its power.*
-
Mortal Ties: *You maintain connections with a mortal family or friend. Roll a d4:
- 1: Your family believes you are dead.
- 2: You secretly watch over your mortal family.
- 3: Your mortal ties complicate your quest for redemption.
- 4: Your mortal ties are a source of strength and purpose.*
Example Rolls:
-
Roll 1: 3 (Sanguine Bonds) You maintain ties with a group of vampires or supernatural beings. Roll again: 2 (The group is a loose alliance for mutual protection). Your fellow vampires provide you with protection, but the alliance is fragile, and their motives may clash with your own.
-
Roll 2: 5 (Ancient Artifact) You possess an ancient artifact tied to your vampiric origins. Roll again: 1 (The artifact is a cursed amulet). The amulet is a source of dark power but comes with a price, influencing your decisions and attracting malevolent entities.
These background-specific tables can add a dynamic and unpredictable element to your vampire character's backstory, sparking creative ideas for your role-playing and providing hooks for the Dungeon Master to weave into the campaign.
| d6 | Shrouded Past |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tragic Turning: *Your transformation into a vampire was the result of a tragic event. Roll a d4: 1-2: A vampire lord forced the curse upon you. 3: A dark ritual went awry. 4: You were attacked and turned by a vampire in a fit of bloodlust.* |
| 2 | Noble Heritage: *You were once part of a noble family before your vampiric transformation. Roll a d4: 1-2: Your family disowned you. 3: Your family supports your quest for redemption. 4: You keep your vampiric nature a secret from your noble lineage.* |
| 3 | Sanguine Bonds: *You maintain ties with a group of vampires or supernatural beings. Roll a d4: 1: The group supports your quest for redemption. 2: The group is a loose alliance for mutual protection. 3: The group has conflicting goals with your own. 4: You have severed ties with the group but are hunted by them.* |
| 4 | Eternal Love: *A mortal love from your past still exists. Roll a d4: 1: Your love is unaware of your vampiric nature. 2: Your love is also a vampire. 3: Your love is now a vampire hunter. 4: Your love died tragically, and you seek to honor their memory.* |
| 5 | Ancient Artifact: *You possess an ancient artifact tied to your vampiric origins. Roll a d4: 1: The artifact is a cursed amulet. 2: The artifact is a family heirloom with hidden powers. 3: The artifact holds the key to breaking your vampiric curse. 4: The artifact attracts supernatural entities seeking its power.* |
| 6 | Mortal Ties: *You maintain connections with a mortal family or friend. Roll a d4: 1: Your family believes you are dead. 2: You secretly watch over your mortal family. 3: Your mortal ties complicate your quest for redemption. 4: Your mortal ties are a source of strength and purpose.* |
Your undead nature grants you certain advantages in the darkness. You have darkvision with a range of 60 feet. Additionally, you have advantage on Stealth checks made at night or in areas of dim light.
Personality Traits:
- Reserved: Centuries of unlife have made you cautious and reserved, preferring to keep your true nature hidden.
- Charming: You've honed your social skills to charm and manipulate those around you, blending seamlessly into society.
- Haunted: Memories of your mortal life and the circumstances of your transformation weigh heavily on your mind, leaving you haunted.
Ideal: Shadowed Redemption Despite your vampiric nature, you strive for redemption and seek to use your curse for good. You may be on a personal quest to find a cure for vampirism or to atone for the sins committed in your earlier, darker days.
Bond: Blood Ties You maintain connections with your mortal past, whether it be through a surviving family member, a lover, or a close friend. You are driven to protect them from the shadows that now threaten your existence.
Flaw: Thirst for Control The vampiric thirst for blood is not just physical but also mental. You have a deep-seated desire for control over others, and at times, you find it difficult to resist the temptation to manipulate those around you.
Additional Background Details:
Origin: Choose or create the circumstances of your vampiric transformation. Were you cursed by a vampire lord, or did a dark ritual bind your soul to undeath? The details of your origin shape your character's motivations and goals.
Mortal Life: Describe your life before becoming a vampire. What were your aspirations, who were your loved ones, and what tragic events led to your transformation?
Current Goal: What drives you now? Is it the search for a cure, redemption, revenge against those who cursed you, or something else entirely?
Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | vicious mockery |
| 1st | arms of hadar, cause fear, charm person, command, feather fall |
| 2nd | blindness/deafness, blur, crown of madness, darkness, detect thoughts, misty step, phantasmal force |
| 3rd | animate dead, blink, counterspell, fear, gaseous form, vampiric touch |
| 4th | aura of life, black tentacles, phantasmal killer |
| 6th | circle of death |
| 8th | maddening darkness |
Suggested Characteristics
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | Reserved: You have learned to keep your true nature hidden, often observing silently from the shadows before revealing yourself. Centuries of existence have instilled a sense of caution, and you prefer to speak only when necessary. Ch |
| 2 | Elegant and Refined: You carry yourself with an air of sophistication and grace. Whether in the way you move, speak, or dress, you exude an elegance that sets you apart from others. This refined demeanor is a deliberate choice, a mask to conceal the more p |
| 3 | Witty and Charming: You possess a quick wit and a charming demeanor that allows you to navigate social situations effortlessly. Your ability to engage in clever banter and flattery makes you a captivating presence, drawing others to you like moths to a fla |
| 4 | Brooding and Mysterious: There's a sense of mystery that surrounds you, an enigmatic aura that captivates those who encounter you. You tend to keep your thoughts and emotions guarded, revealing only glimpses of your true self. This brooding demeanor adds a |
| 5 | Melancholic and Reflective: You often find yourself lost in thought, reflecting on the passage of time and the weight of immortality. There's a melancholic undertone to your personality, a sense of longing for things lost or unattainable. This reflective n |
| 6 | Sensual and Seductive: You are attuned to the pleasures of the senses, reveling in the taste of blood, the touch of shadows, and the whispers of the night. Your sensuality extends to your interactions with others, and you may use your allure to manipulate |
| 7 | Cunning and Strategic: Your mind is a well-honed instrument of cunning and strategy. You approach situations with a tactical mindset, always thinking several moves ahead. This strategic intelligence allows you to navigate both social and combat scenarios w |
| 8 | Haunted by Eternity: The weight of immortality rests heavily on your shoulders, and a sense of existential dread colors your worldview. You may grapple with the futility of time or struggle to find meaning in an existence that stretches into eternity. This |
| d8 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Shadowed Redemption: Despite your vampiric nature, you strive for redemption and seek to use your curse for good. You may be on a personal quest to find a cure for vampirism or to atone for the sins committed in your earlier, darker days. Eternal |
| 2 | Eternal Redemption: You believe in the possibility of redemption, not just for yourself but for all beings, no matter how steeped in darkness. You strive to find a path to salvation, seeking to undo the sins of your past and make amends for the lives you'v |
| 3 | Balance of Shadows: You embrace the delicate balance between light and darkness. Instead of rejecting your vampiric nature, you seek harmony with it, recognizing the necessity of shadows in the grand tapestry of existence. Your actions aim to maintain equi |
| 4 | Sovereignty of the Night: You hold a deep reverence for the night, seeing it as a realm of power and dominion. Your ideal is to establish the sovereignty of creatures of the night, ensuring that darkness is not just a refuge but a realm where your kind can |
| 5 | Mortal Kinship: Despite your vampiric nature, you maintain a strong connection to mortals. Your ideal is to protect and coexist with them, recognizing the beauty in their transient lives. You strive to use your powers for the betterment of both vampire and |
| 6 | ncient Wisdom: You value the ancient knowledge and wisdom passed down through centuries. Your ideal is to preserve the secrets of vampiric lore and ensure that the ancient ways are not forgotten. You seek to unlock the full potential of your vampiric natur |
| 7 | Freedom from Chains: You reject the constraints imposed by vampiric society or any form of supernatural hierarchy. Your ideal is freedom, and you strive to break free from the chains of tradition, enabling all vampires to live unburdened by the expectation |
| 8 | Veil of Shadows: You believe in the power of shadows to conceal, protect, and empower. Your ideal is to weave a protective veil of shadows over the world, shielding it from forces that seek to bring harm. You see the beauty in shadows and darkness, embraci |
| d8 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | Blood Ties: You maintain connections with your mortal past, whether it be through a surviving family member, a lover, or a close friend. You are driven to protect them from the shadows that now threaten your existence. Vampiric Society: You feel a |
| 2 | Blood Oath: You have sworn a sacred blood oath to a fellow vampire or supernatural being. This bond may involve mutual protection, shared goals, or a promise to stand by each other in times of need. Breaking this oath would carry severe consequences and po |
| 3 | Blood Oath: You have sworn a sacred blood oath to a fellow vampire or supernatural being. This bond may involve mutual protection, shared goals, or a promise to stand by each other in times of need. Breaking this oath would carry severe consequences and po |
| 4 | Forbidden Love: Your heart still beats with love, and you harbor a forbidden romance with a mortal or another creature. This bond is fraught with danger, as it challenges the very nature of your existence. The secrecy surrounding this love adds an element |
| 5 | Avenger of a Fallen Sire: Your vampiric lineage is important to you, and you seek vengeance for the destruction of your sire. Whether they were slain by vampire hunters, rival vampires, or an ancient enemy, your quest for retribution drives your actions, a |
| 6 | Keeper of Ancient Lore: You are the custodian of a rare and ancient vampire lore, perhaps contained in a tome or passed down through generations. This knowledge could hold the key to unlocking hidden powers, understanding a prophecy, or breaking the vampir |
| 7 | Symbiotic Alliance: You have formed an alliance with a supernatural being of a different kind, such as a werewolf, witch, or ghost. This symbiotic relationship provides mutual benefits, and your fates are intertwined. The alliance may be tenuous, but it of |
| 8 | Guardian of Sacred Relics: You are entrusted with safeguarding ancient and powerful artifacts tied to vampiric history. These relics could have the ability to enhance your powers, control other vampires, or even alter the fabric of reality. Your bond to th |
| d8 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | Thirst for Control: You struggle with an insatiable desire for control over others. The power to dominate minds and manipulate emotions is a constant temptation, and you find it challenging to resist the urge to assert dominance in social situations. This |
| 2 | Fear of Exposure: The fear of being exposed as a vampire haunts your every move. You go to great lengths to conceal your true nature, knowing that discovery could lead to persecution or worse. This fear may drive you to avoid social interactions or force y |
| 3 | Longing for Humanity: Despite your immortality, there is a part of you that longs for the simplicity and warmth of human existence. This longing can lead to moments of melancholy or internal conflict as you grapple with the duality of your existence. You m |
| 4 | Reckless Bloodlust: The thirst for blood sometimes overwhelms your rational mind, leading to moments of reckless bloodlust. In the heat of battle or under extreme stress, you may struggle to control your predatory instincts, putting yourself and others at |
| 5 | Haunted by Regret: Memories of your past deeds and the lives you've taken weigh heavily on your conscience. Guilt and remorse are your constant companions, making it difficult to form meaningful connections with others or find peace within yourself. |
| 6 | Obsession with Mortality: Your fascination with the mortal world and the fleeting nature of human existence borders on an unhealthy obsession. You may become fixated on the brevity of mortal lives, leading to a sense of detachment or a compulsion to experi |
| 7 | Blood Ties' Burden: Your ties to mortal family or loved ones are both a source of strength and a burden. The constant fear of bringing harm to those you care about may lead to isolation or an overprotective nature that stifles their freedom. |
| 8 | Hatred for Vampiric Society: You harbor a deep resentment toward other vampires and supernatural beings. Whether it stems from a traumatic event, conflicting values, or a sense of moral superiority, this hatred makes it difficult for you to trust or cooper |
Contacts
Contact Details:
-
Name: The Shadow Broker
- Occupation: Information Broker
- Location: Operates from the shadows, changing locations frequently
- Specialty: Gathers and sells secrets, knowledge of political and supernatural affairs
-
Name: Arcane Scholar's Guild
- Occupation: Magical Scholars and Practitioners
- Location: Hidden enclave within the city
- Specialty: Research and understanding of magical phenomena, protection for supernatural beings
-
Name: The Courtesan of Shadows
- Occupation: Social Manipulator and Information Gatherer
- Location: Frequent visitor to high-society events and underworld gatherings
- Specialty: Extracts information through charm and seduction, well-connected in social circles
These contacts provide a diverse set of resources for a vampire character, offering avenues for acquiring information, protection, and influence in both mortal and supernatural realms. Interacting with these contacts can lead to intriguing plot developments, quests, or alliances in the course of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
| d3 | Contact |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Shadow Broker: A mysterious figure who dwells in the darkest corners of the city, the Shadow Broker is a master of information. This contact specializes in gathering and selling secrets, making them a valuable asset for a vampire seeking to navigate th |
| 2 | Arcane Scholar's Guild: Within the arcane community, there exists a guild of scholars and magic practitioners who delve into the mysteries of the supernatural. As a vampire with an affinity for magical energies, you have established a connection with this |
| 3 | The Courtesan of Shadows: In the world of the undead, there exists a seductive and enigmatic courtesan who moves effortlessly through both mortal and supernatural circles. The Courtesan of Shadows is skilled in gathering information through charm and manip |
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