The Fallen Deity, The Extinguished One, An Exile, The Fool, whatever your story was, once revered and mighty now you stand bereft of power and stripped of your divine mantles.
Whether graced with the muscles of steel, swiftness of a star or the unyielding build of a mountain, inspired by a wisdom unfathomable, a genius that ignited brilliance or the voice that had woven realms into being, all now lies in the realm of forgotten glory. What remains is a lingering pain where your power once resided and fading memories stretching far into the past.
Diminished and weakened, yet still alive you have a few tricks up your sleeve. Now, faced with mortality, you'd have ponder how to navigate the remainder of your mortal life. Will you strive to reclaim what was lost? Seek to complete what you started? Or do you fear that old enemies will come knocking, demanding retribution for past grievances?
Design note: I always liked the idea of a former god, somebody who once was something unimaginably greater and now have to condend with being limited, faulty and mortal. It's a bit edgy and out there concept, but I thought somebody might have fun with it, while not letting them overshadow other PCs. The other version had some dangling bits from the Haunted One background, that I failed to notice before publishing.
- Skill Proficiencies: Arcana or Religion and one skill of your choice that exemplifies the divine domain you once held
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan tools, musical instrument, or gaming set of your choice, indulging which was your favorite pastime
- Languages: Choose one
- Equipment: One set of traveler's clothes, a good pair of boots, one tool you are proficient with, one trinket of special significance (such as a holy symbol, personal memento, or ritual tool— choose or refer to the trinket tables for inspiration), one of the the items you own looks impossibly timeworn, battered, charred or pristinely new, a single gem worth 10gp.
The remnants of your once-mighty divine power barely smolder within you, a faint echo of your former domain. It doesn't give you any power by itself, but it ocassionaly may attract the attention of others, whether for good or ill. Roll on the Embers of Divinity table to determine the divine domain you lost, or collaborate with your DM to create a unique domain and portfolio that suits the tone of your game.
| d8 |
Embers of Divinity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Artifice |
| 2 | Death |
| 3 | Evil |
| 4 | Good |
| 5 | Travel |
| 6 | Nature |
| 7 | Magic |
| 8 | War |
The Exile
Your descent from divine grace has left its mark, shaping your perspective and the way you navigate the mortal realm. Roll on the Exile table to determine the circumstances surrounding your exile, or choose the result that resonates best with your character's story.
| d8 | The Exile |
|---|---|
| 1 | Outcast: You were exiled by your pantheon. This is your punishment. |
| 2 | Deposed: Your power was stolen right under you. And this is your hell. |
| 3 | Zealot: You stood on the precipice of something far greater. They will only prove a slight delay! |
| 4 | Nobless Oblige: You thought it was your by birthright, but were taught otherwise. This is your trial. |
| 5 | Mystery: You don't remember how or when did you lost everything. This is a puzzle with no easy answers. |
| 6 | Whimsy: You got bored or maybe excited by the trappings of mortality. This is your vacation or so you think. |
| 7 | Strange Aeons: You are old, far too old. The pyre of your divinity is no more. These are your final nights. |
| 8 | Legacy: You have sacrificed your divinity for what you stood. This is... your path to tread. |
Occasionally, the glimpses of your faded power may shine through, especially when it concerns your former domain. You can defy odds and turn even the the most impossible odds into a fair trial. As a reaction you can turn a disadvantage into an advantage or vice versa on a single roll resulting from your direct intereference, be it ability check, attack, a save or helping another. You can't benefit from that feature again until you overcome a major challenge or get a new level, whichever happens first.
Suggested Characteristics
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am haunted by memories of my former divine power, and it sometimes manifests as moments of melancholy and vivid flashbacks. |
| 2 | I speak in cryptic riddles and veiled metaphors, as if I still possess the spark of divine wisdom. |
| 3 | I find solace in the company of mortals, as their limited lifespan reminds me of the preciousness of time. |
| 4 | I carry myself with a regal bearing and poise beyond emperors, remnants of the divine command that once defined me. |
| 5 | I am consumed by a thirst for knowledge and seek to uncover the mysteries of my own downfall. |
| 6 | I am fiercely protective of those who revere gods and believe in their divine purpose. |
| 7 | I harbor a deep resentment toward the deities who abandoned or betrayed me, and it fuels my determination to reclaim my power. |
| 8 | I carry myself with humility, knowing that even the mightiest can be brought low. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Redemption. I seek to redeem myself and regain the favor of the divine through acts of selflessness and heroism. (Good) |
| 2 | Vengeance. I will make those who caused my fall pay dearly for their transgressions, no matter the cost. (Evil) |
| 3 | Knowledge. I am driven to uncover the secrets of the gods and their realms, heedless of danger. (Neutral) |
| 4 | Independence. I reject the servitude to the deities and vow to forge my own path, free from their whims. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Restoration. I yearn to restore balance and harmony to the mortal realm, as it once was in the days of my divinity. (Lawful) |
| 6 | Enlightenment. I strive to attain a higher understanding of existence and transcend mortal limitations. (Any) |
| d8 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | Despite the utter silence, that permeates my existence, still hold a flicker of faith in the divine power, and seek to enkindle it within others wherever I step. |
| 2 | I am haunted by the face of a mortal who once revered me and paid the ultimate price for their faith. I ponder heavy questions about my place in the world. |
| 3 | The shattered remnants of my divine essence have scattered across the realms, and I am driven to retrieve each fragment, for they hold the key to my restoration. |
| 4 | I have forged a deep bond with a group of outcasts and misfits, each harboring their own scars and seeking solace in our shared quest for justice. |
| 5 | Sometimes I get visitations from the disguised members of my pantheon. They find entertainment in my struggles and can't stop interfering. |
| 6 | The echoes of my past glories have inspired a dedicated hero, a mortal who seeks to challenge my legendary deeds. This rivalry fires our mutual quest for glory. |
| 7 | A mortal bard has taken it upon themselves to compose an epic saga of my fall and redemption, and I am bound to assist them in crafting the true epic. |
| 8 | A young orphan, touched by the residual remnants of my divine power, has become my chosen protege, and I am dedicated to guiding them towards their own greatness. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I struggle with the limitations of my mortal form and often become frustrated by its frailty. |
| 2 | I despise gods and their worshippers spreading lies. I never let divine magic to touch me as long as I can say something about it. |
| 3 | The memories of my past life as a god often overwhelm me, leading to moments of arrogance and superiority. |
| 4 | I find it difficult to trust mortals, as their short lives make them fickle and unreliable in my eyes. |
| 5 | The loss of my divine power has left me with a constant yearning for attention and adoration from others. |
| 6 | I am plagued by visions or nightmares of my former divine realm, causing me to question my sanity and grasp on reality. |
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