You once had a noble purpose or a life of promise. Perhaps you were a hero in training, a protector, or simply someone with big dreams of doing good. But betrayal, tragedy, or an unrelenting world shattered those ideals. Forced to endure cruelty and hardship, you turned your back on the system that failed you. Now, you are feared, loathed, or misunderstood as a villain—one who walks the shadows with scars that tell a story of pain and resilience.
“Sometimes, the world doesn’t break you—it molds you into its greatest nightmare.”
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two: Deception, Intimidation, Stealth, Perception
- Tool Proficiencies: Choose one: Thieves’ tools or Disguise kit
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment:
- A set of dark, practical clothes that hide your features
- A memento of your past life (a burned photograph, a broken badge, or a journal)
- 15 gold pieces
Your reputation as a villain (or a supposed villain) precedes you. People are wary of your presence, giving you wide berth or treating you with suspicion and fear. You can leverage this to gather information, intimidate others, or gain access to restricted areas. However, those who enforce the law or uphold societal ideals may seek to arrest or oppose you, regardless of your current intentions.
Suggested Characteristics
The Turned Villain background is for characters whose pasts are marked by betrayal, loss, or injustice. You may have embraced villainy wholeheartedly, or you could be someone trapped in the label despite striving for redemption.
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I exude confidence, but my scars run deeper than I let on. |
| 2 | I don’t trust anyone—everyone has an agenda. |
| 3 | Sarcasm and dry humor are my defense mechanisms. |
| 4 | I enjoy making others uncomfortable—it keeps them from getting too close. |
| 5 | My anger burns hot, but my mind is cold and calculating. |
| 6 | I act detached, but deep down, I yearn for connection. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Justice: I seek to tear down the corrupt system that ruined me. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Destruction: The world hurt me; I will burn it to the ground. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Freedom: No one should be shackled to an unjust destiny. (Neutral) |
| 4 | Power: I will never be weak or vulnerable again. (Evil) |
| 5 | Redemption: I want to escape the shadow of my past. (Good) |
| 6 | Survival: I do whatever it takes to keep going. (Neutral) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I still care deeply for someone from my past, even if they see me as a monster. |
| 2 | My scars are a constant reminder of my vow to destroy those who wronged me. |
| 3 | I am loyal to the few who stood by me when others turned away. |
| 4 | A symbol from my past (like a family crest or school badge) fuels my ambitions. |
| 5 | I owe my survival to someone who saw my potential in the darkness. |
| 6 | I am searching for a way to restore my name—or prove the world doesn’t deserve me. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I struggle to trust anyone, even allies. |
| 2 | My need for revenge blinds me to other opportunities. |
| 3 | I lash out at those who try to help me. |
| 4 | I can’t resist proving my superiority, even when it’s unnecessary. |
| 5 | My past haunts me, and I sometimes doubt my own worth. |
| 6 | I push people away out of fear they’ll betray me. |
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