You come from an ancient bloodline, sought after for the destined power they possessed. The Arbiter bloodline, widely regarded long ago for its noble standing within many societies, and the ability to simply do what they desired to. They clung to the ancient ways desperately. As the name suggests, it held true to its common definition. Your bloodline was the arbiter. The final say, the final judgement. You were to have all of the final calls in everything. Your ancestors ruled over others, with great power.
That all changed when the ancient ways were threatened. Your ancestors spoke out against these acts, and the people leading killed those who supported them. This was when the power of the arbiter was threatened. Suddenly, it all became clear. Your ancestors were no longer the arbiters of the land. They were hardly capable of being called that anymore. If it was simply left at that, none would have questioned anymore...but the people who resisted against your blood disrespected, and slandered your name. Your ancestors, and their descendants all after them were to be treated with contempt, as they were not the arbiters they sought to be. They did not follow the new ways. Your family's name, their entire heritage, has been slandered, and destroyed in the midst of all of the hatred you keep within yourself. It was easy to find them all, too. A strange and distinct birthmark follows the members of your bloodline wherever you may go, distinctly contained on the ride side of the neck, nearer to the base, but still visible without a useful collar to cover it up, in a pattern that none would ever forget.
You are from this bloodline; disrespected by those around you, hated by your peers for those who know your true nature. You may choose to hide your identity, or you may choose to flaunt it outwardly, speaking about the world's wrongdoings. Do whatever you may, the name of the Arbiter will always haunt you.
- Skill Proficiencies: Skill Proficiencies: Choose two: History, Insight, Intimidation, Deception, Survival.
- Tool Proficiencies: Tool Proficiencies: Choose between your instrument of choice, or Painter's Tools.
- Equipment: Equipment: A set of elaborate clothes, a pouch containing 10 gp, a small memento of your family, and an insignia to prove your bloodline (you may toss this in your backstory, or discuss with your DM about potentially pawning it off).
Everywhere you go, if someone is to find out about your bloodline, you are treated with contempt, and merciless hatred from some extreme few. The people remember your history. They feel as though you are disgusting, and revolting in large cities. However, due to this disgust and hatred, rumors have already spread about you. People feel as though you are disgusting, and terrible to all. This feature, while it may not allow you to get the best in the eyes of the people, it will let you get the better in the eyes of those you need to.
If one knows of your blood, you have disadvantage on all Deception, and Persuasion checks with them. However, due to this knowledge, you have grown accustomed to this disgust over the years. You have advantage on all Insight checks against people who know of your bloodline, and even more so, you have advantage on all Intimidation checks against people who know of your bloodline, from fear that you will do something. Even in disgust and contempt, in a world that hates you, you can still force your hand, and have the final say, no matter what cost there is behind it.
Suggested Characteristics
People from the Arbiter bloodline have many rumors about them that flow through the land, no matter what they do to stop it. There's not much that you can do to really stop the flow of these words. You are shamed and humiliated when your blood comes into question. Even still, some may desire to recuperate their ancestors' lost honor, and others may choose to hide it, to lead a normal life as a different person, under a separate alias. Whatever the case may be, you are always haunted, and the Arbiter bloodline defines you as a being.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I'd rather keep my blood a secret...it's a struggle sometimes, but I can bear with it. |
| 2 | I can stand face-to-face with the greatest adversity, and despite all odds, believe I will come out on top, even if those around me are against me. |
| 3 | I cling onto those who accept my bloodline. I almost can't think of living without them... |
| 4 | I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. (Taken directly from the PHB's background, "Criminal.") |
| 5 | I will have the final notion in what I do, and that is what I've decided. I will do what I must to make what needs to happen, happen. |
| 6 | I do not pity those who disrespect me or my ancestors. They deserve what punishment I grant them. |
| 7 | I've undergone countless suicidal journeys, and will undergo countless more if it means gaining what I desire. |
| 8 | Those who attempt to pity me, or offer compensation are merely pitying me. I do not need their kind words, I do not need their consolation, and I do not need their help. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tribute. I hold true to what my ancestors desired. The ancient ways deserve to be respected. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Desperation. As much prowess as I need to show, as much blood as I need to shed, I shall shed for the sake of my family's honor returning. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Liberty. I desire to break free of my family's bonds, and start anew, so that I may live among the free around me. (Neutral) |
| 4 | Misery. I can't break free of my family's name, and thus I suffer in it. Those that cause me suffering shall know the wrath this name brings. I have the final say on their lives, now. (Evil) |
| 5 | Absolution. My family's name was tarnished, and I will act as I have to, to once again bring it to its former glory. (Good) |
| 6 | Understanding. I know what I am in the eyes of the people, but I pay them no heed. If they desire to hate me for my blood, I mustn't do the same to them. I do not deserve this for what my family did, and how I was born, and neither do they. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | The ancient ways of my ancestors have never led me astray. I will follow them until my death. |
| 2 | My family's blood is the most important thing I have. I will not allow it to simply stagnate in this state of disrespect. |
| 3 | The people in power have shown me that peace is no longer an option. I will exact revenge on those who harmed my family because of their name, because of their blood. |
| 4 | I desire not to show my proof of lineage, and only reveal it to those I trust. I would do anything for a person to accept me, my hated bloodline aside. |
| 5 | I will eliminate those who dare to disrespect my family's name in my presence, one way or another. |
| 6 | I'll do whatever I have to, to end this family bond, and stigma around me. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I can't help but attempt to snap back at people who insult my family, especially those who do it extensively. |
| 2 | I'll trust anyone if they say they accept me with my family's name known to them, and cling to them with my life. |
| 3 | I should be in jail for the atrocities I've committed in the name of my family. I'll commit countless more if I have to. |
| 4 | I'll throw myself head-first into any danger without thinking, hoping to regain some shred of dignity. |
| 5 | I'm quick to doubt myself, and have trouble making decisions, and performing certain tasks on occasion. The people around me, and their hatred has started to get to me. |
| 6 | I refuse the commodities people offer me. I believe them to be out of pity, and not out of kindness, and thus do not accept them on any occasion. |
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