Your life took a drastic turn when you were kidnapped from the world you knew and thrust into the depths of a clandestine laboratory shrouded in mystery and malevolence. For years, you languished in captivity, subjected to a relentless barrage of experiments and torturous procedures at the hands of your captors. Each day brought new horrors and uncertainties as you struggled to maintain your sanity in the face of unimaginable suffering. Yet, amidst the darkness, you discovered a hidden resilience within yourself, a determination to survive and defy the fate that awaited you. Now, as you emerge from your prison, battered but unbroken, you carry with you the scars of your past and a burning desire for freedom and redemption.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Medicine, Investigation, Perception, or Survival
- Languages: Choose two, one of which must be Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, or Undercommon
- Equipment: A sack (containing a crowbar, a rope, Hempen (50 feet), a small knife, a waterskin, a blanket, and a tinderbox), hastily assembled from items scavenged during your escape.
Harrowing Event
The horrors you've experienced and seen have left a mark on you. Now you feel a darkness threatening to consume you, and you fear there may be no hope of escape. Choose a harrowing event that haunts you, or roll one on the Harrowing Events table.
| d10 |
Harrowing Event |
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1
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You were subjected to a series of experiments that should have killed you, yet you survived. You can't shake the feeling that something beyond your understanding saved you.
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2
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During your captivity, you were forced to witness the suffering of others, unable to help them. Their cries still echo in your mind, haunting your every waking moment.
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3
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One of your fellow captives sacrificed themselves to save you from a particularly brutal experiment. Their sacrifice weighs heavily on your conscience, and you feel a deep sense of survivor's guilt.
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4
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You were forced to betray a trusted friend or ally in order to survive your captivity. The memory of your betrayal gnaws at you, filling you with shame and self-loathing.
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5
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Your captors implanted false memories in your mind, distorting your sense of reality and leaving you questioning the validity of your own experiences.
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6
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You were used as a pawn in a larger scheme, unknowingly carrying out tasks that harmed others. The guilt of your unwitting involvement weighs heavily on your conscience.
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7
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You were experimented on with dangerous substances or magic, leaving you with unpredictable side effects that manifest at the most inconvenient times.
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8
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Your captors conducted psychological experiments designed to break your spirit and reshape your mind. Though you escaped physical captivity, the scars of their manipulation still linger, haunting your thoughts and dreams.
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9
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You were forced to watch as your fellow captives were taken away one by one, never to return. The memory of their disappearances fills you with a deep sense of loss and helplessness.
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10
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You were subjected to a process of forced augmentation, turning you into something more than human. The enhancements grant you power, but at a cost to your humanity, leaving you feeling like a monster.
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Feature: Mark of Resilience
The horrors you endured in the clandestine laboratory have left an indelible mark upon you, visible to those who look closely. Your eyes betray the strength forged in the crucible of suffering, and your presence carries an aura of resilience and determination. Though your past may be shrouded in darkness, your resilience shines through, garnering both fear and respect from those who encounter you.
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.
| d8 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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I rely only on myself, shaped by years of solitude in captivity.
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2
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I relentlessly pursue freedom to prevent others from suffering like I did.
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3
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I'm wary of authority figures after being betrayed in captivity.
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4
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Wide-open spaces bring comfort, while enclosed areas trigger memories of captivity's suffocating grip.
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5
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I thrive in adversity, my mind honed to turn the tide against any challenge.
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6
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Vivid flashbacks and nightmares blur reality from my past.
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7
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I stand watch over those I hold dear, a sentinel born from the crucible of captivity's darkness.
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8
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I have a cynical outlook on life, believing that trust is a luxury I can ill afford.
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| d6 |
Ideal |
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1
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I try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good)
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2
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I’ll stop the spirits that haunt me or die trying. (Any)
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3
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I kill monsters to make the world a safer place, and to exorcise my own demons. (Good)
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4
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I have a dark calling that puts me above the law. (Chaotic)
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5
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I like to know my enemy’s capabilities and weaknesses before rushing into battle. (Lawful)
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6
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I’m a monster that destroys other monsters, and anything else that gets in my way. (Evil)
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| d6 |
Bond |
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1
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I will never forget those who suffered alongside me in the laboratory. I am determined to find them and ensure they find solace and freedom from their torment.
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2
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The organization that held me captive must be brought to justice. I will uncover their secrets and dismantle their operations to prevent others from enduring the same fate.
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3
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My freedom is not just for me; it's for all those who are trapped in similar situations. I will use my experiences to aid others in breaking free from oppression and tyranny.
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4
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I am haunted by the fear of being recaptured. I will constantly seek ways to protect myself and others from falling back into the clutches of those who would imprison us again.
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5
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The memories of the experiments conducted on me drive me to seek answers. I will uncover the truth about my past and the reasons behind the horrors I endured.
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6
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I feel a deep connection with those who suffer, regardless of their circumstances. I will use my empathy to help them heal and find hope in the face of despair.
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| d6 |
Flaw |
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1
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I struggle to trust anyone, always suspecting ulterior motives and hidden agendas, a lingering effect of the betrayal I faced in captivity.
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2
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The memories of my tormentors haunt me, leading to sudden outbursts of anger or fear, especially in situations that remind me of my time in the laboratory.
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3
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I find it difficult to form deep connections with others, fearing that they will only bring me pain or betrayal.
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4
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I am plagued by nightmares of my time in captivity, often losing sleep and experiencing flashbacks that blur the lines between reality and the horrors of the past.
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5
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I have developed an intense aversion to confined spaces, crowded areas, or anything that reminds me of the claustrophobic conditions of my imprisonment.
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6
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I struggle with feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy, constantly questioning whether I deserve the freedom I fought so hard to achieve, and seeking validation from others to ease my doubts.
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