Your kind were not normally seen at court, but your former paramour did not care about that. Marrying into one of the lands most powerful and wealthy families saw you turning heads for a multitude of reasons, but you never cared - you were loved, absolutely, and lived a life that you could never have imagined in your early years.
But then they died.
Before long, your enemies in the court saw you removed - for whatever reasons they could summon - and now you are an outcast, rudely returned to the callous world you thought you had escaped.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Performance, insight, Survival, or History
- Tool Proficiencies: You first caught your spouse's ear with your chosen instrument, and you kept in good practice both during and after your marriage. (choose one)
- Languages: You know Common, and one 'uncouth' language (Abyssal, Giant, Goblin, Orcish, Undercommon, Thieves' Cant)
- Equipment: A memento of your lost spouse (worth no more than 5gp), the signet ring of your former house, a fine set of clothes, a silk purse containing 25gp.
Your paramour is dead now, your former house lost to you, and so much more with it. You wander these lands aimlessly; maybe seeking some semblance of your former comforts - a new fortune, a new house, a new family - or maybe just to blow off some steam, wet your blade after the routine of court life. (choose two)
| d10 | That was another life. |
|---|---|
| 1 | It was always going to be this way - your kind lives so much longer than theirs, but you cherished your time together while it lasted. |
| 2 | There isn't a single soul in the court that doesn't think you killed them. |
| 3 | You had a child, and now you are being kept from them - but you will stop at nothing to see them again. |
| 4 | Your soul was never so pure as your spouse's, although you tried your best to make them proud. Now that they're gone though... |
| 5 | Truth be told it was more of a business relationship than either of you ever let on, although you really were quite fond of them. |
| 6 | Your beloved left you a cryptic note and a half whispered location. Maybe it was the sickness talking, maybe a secret inheritance? |
| 7 | An accident befell you both, and your spouse took a blow to save you. The sight of their demise haunts you every night. |
| 8 | You would have given your entire fortune to keep them alive. And now you have neither. |
| 9 | Your spouse used to travel the land visiting their many interests, one trip they didn't return. After a year they were presumed lost, but you still believe otherwise. |
| 10 | You squirreled away a decent fortune during your marriage, and are waiting to retrieve it - but your former houses's retainers dog your every move. |
Shrodinger's name drop. Once per day, you can attempt to use your former house's name to gain favour.
Roll a d20. On failure the subject knows your situation and will treat you with disgust or contempt and you will have disadvantage on future rolls with them. On a success you may be offered shelter, financial assistance, or additional information.
Critical rolls amplify this effect.
Suggested Characteristics
You are a survivor, you have outlived the person who held you above all others - and you will outlive you enemies too.
| d7 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I like to read and memorize poetry. It keeps me calm and brings me fleeting moments of happiness. |
| 2 | I can drink most men under the table, if the occasion calls for it. |
| 3 | Everything I do, I do gracefully and deliberately, and with complete confidence. |
| 4 | I never go anywhere without a hidden knife (or two) |
| 5 | I did not share my former spouses faith, but I say a prayer to their god every night on their behalf. |
| 6 | Years of court intrigue has left me a great nose for gossip. |
| 7 | If you do me an injury, I will crush you, ruin your name, and salt your fields. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knowledge - Wealth brought me nothing but pain. Knowledge is my new master. (Any) |
| 2 | Patience - I like to know my opponent's capabilities and weaknesses before entering a conflict. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Charity - I remember my roots, and like to help others from similar backgrounds. (Good) |
| 4 | Power - I will suffer no opposition in the pursuit of my former station. (Evil) |
| 5 | Blood - I trust nobody but my own blood, and that's a very short list. (Any) |
| 6 | Instinct - The cloak and dagger of high society served me well, for a while, but now I'm let loose to pursue my wants and wishes. (Chaotic) |
| d5 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I keep my thoughts and discoveries in a journal. My journal is my legacy. |
| 2 | Although my great love has been lost, I will remain faithful to them for all my days. |
| 3 | I am convinced there was foul play in regards to my spouse's death. Some day soon, I’ll have my revenge. |
| 4 | I am the only one left who truly knew my beloved, I will keep their memory alive. |
| 5 | I have a child that is growing up without me, but I would still make the world a safer place for them. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am terrified of allowing myself to feel again. |
| 2 | I assume the worst in people. |
| 3 | There is no-one left in this world to care about. So I don't. |
| 4 | Now that I am 'common' again, I have a slightly backwards take on what that means. |
| 5 | I go out of my way to disparage people's relationships. |
| 6 | If thoughts of my family catch me off guard, i'm likely to act out. |
So those rumours that it was you who killed your 'beloved' were right on the money.
The very public trial was the talk of the land, but a few well placed whispers and greased palms bought your innocence, on paper anyway.
Maybe this marriage was the first, maybe they were just another mark in a long line of lovers, but either way you aimed a little too high - and the infamy that now pursues your steps is proving bad for your plans going forward.
You are infamous in nearly every social circle. Good characters see you as callous and dishonest at best, and a murdering gold-digger at worst - you are poorly received and never trusted, taking disadvantage on all Charisma rolls, and advantage on Intimidation. Conversely, Evil natured individuals hold you in very high regard - and although they won't be easily fooled by your tricks, you are something of a celebrity, taking advantage on Investigation, and disadvantage on Perfomance.
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