You had the fortunate fate of experiencing an otherwordly crystal up close. By opening your mind and channeling its power, you have become permanently altered. However brief the experience might have been, you attained the knowledge to understand a specific Eldritch language regarding its origin, and absored one of its powers.
As a result you also learned a hidden secret about existence, work out with your DM what this might be. Before you could take more of its powers however, the crystal slipped from your grasp. Shattered, dorment, stolen, or otherwise, it is no longer attainable.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Arcana, History, Nature, Religion or Insight.
- Languages: One of your choice of Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan or Undercommon.
- Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a journal to record your findings, and a pouch containing 10 gp
As a result of uncontrolled attunement with the crystal its magical properties bled into one of your personal belongings, altering it.
To determine which personal belonging you keep with you, roll a d12 or choose from the options in the table below.
| d12 | Trinket |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fleshtangle Chime: Living tentacles form this chime, emitting damp, squelching sounds that sway listeners between inspiration and disquiet depending on their stance towards the Eldritch. |
| 2 | Seer's Teacup of Spores: After drinking, this teacup leaves mold spores in symbols, hinting at omens of future events. |
| 3 | Scroll of the Fleshbound Tome: Pulsing, skin-bound tome that absorbs written words, revealing them only to the scribe upon reopening. |
| 4 | Withering Hourglass: Contains perpetually decaying and regrowing alien flowers, symbolizing a cycle of otherworldly life. |
| 5 | Tapestry of Malformed Events: This tapestry nightly showcases twisted versions of historical events, altering reality's narrative. |
| 6 | Ring of Whispered Promises: Whispers tantalizing promises of power and secrets, ever elusive, to its wearer. |
| 7 | Mirror of Other Selves: Reflects alternate, twisted versions of the viewer, revealing possibilities from other realms. |
| 8 | Never-Ending Quill: An ink-bound quill that scripts ominous messages on its own, thriving in the darkness. |
| 9 | Dreamcatcher of Distorted Visions: Induces dreams filled with alien wonders and terrors, blurring the lines between realms. |
| 10 | Pendant of Displaced Echoes: Captures and distorts familiar sounds at night, replaying them as if from another dimension. |
| 11 | Harmonizing Flute of the Eldritch Wilds: Its off-key tunes attract otherwordly creatures and fey, enchanted by its familiar and eerie melody. |
| 12 | Inkwell of the Abyss: Ink bottle filled with an actual tentacle that endlessly creates ink. It creates a soft eerie noice when written with. It slowly corrupts that which it is written on. |
In addition, those who look at you are able to descern you have an exposure with the otherwordly. Perhaps a physical alteration or simply the aura you bring with you.
You find refuge among those who embrace the change or have themselves been marked by the otherworldly. They offer you free, modest lodging and sustenance, recognizing you as kin, in places where the veil between worlds grows thin.
However, caution is advised when seeking shelter with those who pursue purification from the eldritch's touch. Their doors are not as open, their hearths not as warm.
Suggested Characteristics
Your contact with the crystal and its secrets have given you insight into what others would find difficult to comprehend. Some would fear from this secrets, others would preach their knowledge, then there are those who simply become arrogant. The secrets have however forever changed your perception on reality and given you meaning.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I use polysyllabic words that convey the impression of great erudition. |
| 2 | I’ve read every book in the world’s greatest libraries—or I like to boast that I have. |
| 3 | I’m used to helping out those who aren’t as smart as I am, and I patiently explain anything and everything to others. |
| 4 | There’s nothing I like more than a good mystery. |
| 5 | I’m willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment. |
| 6 | I … speak … slowly … when talking … to idiots, … which … almost … everyone … is … compared … to me. |
| 7 | I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations. |
| 8 | I’m convinced that people are always trying to steal my secrets. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Beauty. What is beautiful points us beyond itself toward what is true. (Good) |
| 3 | Logic. Emotions must not cloud our logical thinking. (Lawful) |
| 4 | No Limits. Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility inherent in all existence. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Power. Knowledge is the path to power and domination. (Evil) |
| 6 | Self-Improvement. The goal of a life of study is the betterment of oneself. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | It is my duty to protect my students. |
| 2 | I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands. |
| 3 | I work to preserve a library, university, scriptorium, or monastery. |
| 4 | My life’s work is a series of tomes related to a specific field of lore. |
| 5 | I’ve been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question. |
| 6 | I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it back. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am easily distracted by the promise of information. |
| 2 | Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I stop and take notes on its anatomy. |
| 3 | Unlocking an ancient mystery is worth the price of a civilization. |
| 4 | I overlook obvious solutions in favor of complicated ones. |
| 5 | I speak without really thinking through my words, invariably insulting others. |
| 6 | I can’t keep a secret to save my life, or anyone else’s. |
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