The Vessel is a character who unknowingly serves as a conduit for powerful entities, drawing the attention of spirits, demons, deities, and other supernatural beings. These entities seek to use the Vessel's body as a temporary host to interact with the material world. As a Vessel, you might struggle with maintaining your own identity and autonomy, constantly balancing between your will and the influence of the entities that possess you.
From an early age, you were different. Perhaps it started with strange dreams or an unusual encounter with a spectral figure. Maybe you found yourself in places you did not remember going, or speaking in voices that were not your own. The otherworldly entities found you, drawn to your essence like moths to a flame, and you became their Vessel.
Life as a Vessel is a constant battle for control. The entities that possess you can be benevolent or malevolent, wise or capricious. They might take over your body to protect you, to fulfill their own agendas, or simply out of curiosity. You have learned to coexist with these beings, negotiating your shared existence, but it is not without its toll. Each possession chips away at your sense of self, making it harder to distinguish where you end and the entities begin.
Your interactions with these beings have granted you knowledge that few possess. You have an intuitive understanding of the supernatural, an insight into the arcane and the divine that is beyond the reach of ordinary mortals. This knowledge, however, comes at a price. The things you know, the visions you see, and the voices you hear can be overwhelming. At times, it is difficult to discern what is real and what is a product of the entities’ influence.
Despite the challenges, you strive to find balance. You seek to master the entities that possess you, to bend them to your will, or at least to coexist in a way that allows you to live your life. You are driven by a desire to understand these beings, to uncover their secrets and perhaps find a way to control your own destiny.
As a Vessel, your goals are deeply personal and tied to your condition. You might seek a way to permanently rid yourself of the entities, to find a mentor who can teach you to control them, or to discover the true nature of the force that makes you a Vessel. Your journey is one of self-discovery and mastery over the supernatural.
- Skill Proficiencies:
- Choose one from: Arcana, History, Investigation, Religion, Insight, Perception, Survival, Deception, Intimidation, Performance, Persuasion.
- Languages:
- Two additional languages of your choice
- Equipment:
- A set of common clothes
- An implement related to your entity (e.g., a small idol, an inscribed amulet, a vial of unidentifiable liquid)
- A pouch containing 10 gp
You are a vessel for otherworldly beings, and while you may not be fully aware of their presence, their influence on you is undeniable. Entities are drawn to you, seeking to use your body as a temporary host. When these beings take control, they can use their abilities through you, though your physical form remains fragile and mundane.
- Possession: Your patron or another entity can take control of your body at will. While possessed, the entity can use any of its abilities or spells. This possession leaves your physical form vulnerable, as it does not enhance your mundane capabilities (e.g., you do not gain extra hit points or increased physical stats).
- Entity Knowledge: You have advantage on Intelligence (Arcana) checks related to identifying and understanding possessing entities and their abilities. Additionally, you can choose to use your Wisdom modifier instead of your Intelligence modifier when making an Arcana check related to identifying or understanding possessing entities and their abilities.
When a Vessel enters into a pact or contract with a specific entity, the relationship with that entity grants them unique abilities:
- Repellant: The bond with your patron creates an aura that repels other entities seeking to possess you. This grants you advantage on saving throws against unwanted possession by other entities.
- Sensitivity: Your bond heightens your sensitivity to the presence of otherworldly beings. You gain the ability to cast the detect evil and good spell once per short or long rest, without requiring material components.
If you desire to be possessed by an entity other than your patron, you must negotiate with your patron for permission. This typically involves a Charisma (Persuasion) check, with the DC set by the DM based on the situation and the nature of the request.
Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 1st | detect evil and good |
Suggested Characteristics
Vessels often have complex relationships with their patrons or the entities that possess them. They may be wary, resigned, or even accepting of their role, and this relationship influences their personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws.
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I often find myself talking to unseen entities, making others question my sanity. |
| 2 | I am eerily calm in situations that would terrify most people. |
| 3 | I keep detailed journals of my experiences with otherworldly beings. |
| 4 | I have a tendency to withdraw, feeling more connected to the unseen than the living. |
| 5 | I often have strange, vivid dreams that leave me feeling unsettled. |
| 6 | I am prone to sudden mood swings, influenced by the entities within me. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Control: I seek to master the entities that possess me and bend them to my will. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Acceptance: I believe that coexisting with these beings is my destiny. (Neutral) |
| 3 | Exorcism: I want to rid myself and others of these possessive entities. (Good) |
| 4 | Power: I am willing to embrace these beings to gain their knowledge and strength. (Evil) |
| 5 | Balance: I strive to find harmony between the physical and the supernatural. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Knowledge: Understanding these entities will lead to greater truths about the universe. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am searching for a way to communicate directly with my patron or possessing entity. |
| 2 | Someone I care about was hurt by one of my possessions, and I seek to make amends. |
| 3 | I owe my life to a mentor who taught me how to manage my condition. |
| 4 | I seek to discover the true nature and purpose of the entities that possess me. |
| 5 | I carry a token from a loved one, hoping it will anchor me to reality. |
| 6 | My patron has promised me a great reward if I fulfill a specific task. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I struggle to maintain my own identity, feeling lost and fragmented. |
| 2 | I sometimes black out and cannot remember what I did while possessed. |
| 3 | I am paranoid and distrustful, always wondering if someone is trying to exploit my condition. |
| 4 | I am easily influenced by the promises and whispers of the entities that possess me. |
| 5 | I have a tendency to isolate myself, fearing that others will be harmed by my condition. |
| 6 | I often doubt my own sanity, unsure if the entities are real or a figment of my imagination. |
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