You were once a monster, no different from any beast or deadly denizen of a dark and dreary dungeon (That's a reference.) However, the heroes, guards, or common adventurers that passed by your territory inspired you. Once you had gained rough understanding of a language by stalking those who drew too near, you whisked away the next person weak enough to hold, yet not weak enough to be terrified of you. After they explained the language and a few common social norms, you stopped holding them against their will. They thought you were nice, and kept coming back to teach you how to be civilized, becoming a sort of parental figure. Due to the fact that this social ability was taught rather than picked up, you are still quite awkward, but your presence in your hometown was expected and usual, becoming the town's fame of being one of the only civilized monsters. This background is meant to be used alongside a homebrew race that turns a monster into a PC. Check with your DM before use.
- Skill Proficiencies: - Choose 2 from the following: Acrobatics, Animal handling, Athletics, Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, Stealth, Survival.
- Nature
- Languages: Pick one language that you speak can only speak roughly.
- Equipment: A non-magic weapon of choice, a pouch containing 10 gp, and one trinket of personal value (worth 5 gp or less).
If you can't decide where your character's story should begin, use this table.
| d6 | Origin |
|---|---|
| 1 | A camp of humanoid monsters that are still barbaric/where my kind was used as livestock. |
| 2 | I was the child of a legendary or mythical monster, but I was cast out for being a runt. (This means you can be the race of a mythical monster, but not op.) |
| 3 | A nest. (You choose where or roll another table for it.) |
| 4 | A den. (Once again, you choose the location or roll for it. Also, you choose the size.) |
| 5 | A burrow. (You choose where.) |
| 6 | A dungeon. (You or the DM choose what kind of dungeon.) |
Due to your checkered past of adventurer murder and being antisocial, you are good at ruthlessness and not at mercy. You may have to (OCCAISIONALLY AND NOT TO BE OVERUSED BY THE DM) make INT, WIS, and CHA saves in order to remember your civilized wishes and avoid reverting to the ruthless option in social situations. (This may be called upon by the DM only once per session, or twice if a VERY serious event comes up.) To balance this, you have advantage against being charmed or frightened.
Suggested Characteristics
You have been taught to be a person, but you are still a monster in nature. One of these facts superimpose the other.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I fear monsters due to the savagery we once shared which I know they still have. |
| 2 | I fear socialization due to being different. |
| 3 | I look down on monsters due to the savagery I threw away. |
| 4 | I fear not reaching social expectations. |
| 5 | I feel disconnected from monsters, like somebody I used to understand. |
| 6 | I still feel like a monster, and that I'm suppressing my true nature. |
| 7 | I feel like I fit in despite the odd looks I constantly get. |
| 8 | I have an identity crisis. Am I a monster or a person? |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | I seek for monsters to understand people, and for people to understand monsters. (Good) |
| 2 | I seek to understand the similarities between people and monsters for my own curiosity. (Neutral) |
| 3 | I want to seek the benefits of civilization and savagery at the same time for my own benefit. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | My motto for confrontation is "Fight first, talk later." (Evil) |
| 5 | I want to understand people and monsters alike to analyze and sort out confrontation of any kind. (Lawful) |
| 6 | I just want to have a healthy balance between fighting and relaxing. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I search to understand both halves of my personality, and accept myself. |
| 2 | I strive to make peace between man and monster. |
| 3 | I would sacrifice anything to save those dear to me. |
| 4 | I feel guilty of not being true to my nature, and being barbaric at the same time. I hope I can solve this dilemma. |
| 5 | I have evil in my soul. I have good in my mind. I want one to consume the other, but I can't. |
| 6 | I want my life to be simple again. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The sounds of my old and new kin at night keep me awake sometimes. |
| 2 | I assume the worst in people. |
| 3 | I place more faith in people/monsters than I likely should. (Flip a coin, heads for people and tails for monsters.) |
| 4 | I still remember the taste of raw flesh and blood, and I can't help but crave it on occasion. |
| 5 | I hear and sympathize with voices nobody else can understand, and their sorrow keeps me up at night. |
| 6 | I am a harbinger of blood, and a herald of peace. They tend not to mix. |
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