You bear the marks, seen or unseen, of being lost in the vast, unforgiving expanse of a great desert—a crucible that forged you into who you are today. Perhaps you were part of a doomed caravan, an exile, or the sole survivor of a terrible accident. Whatever the cause, you endured days, weeks, or even months alone, battling scorching heat, freezing nights, dehydration, starvation, and the myriad dangers of the wastes. This harrowing experience has left an indelible mark on your soul, granting you a unique understanding of survival in the harshest conditions.
- Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Perception
- Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism Kit
- Languages: One language of your choice (perhaps a dialect of a desert-dwelling people you encountered, or a language you studied from a salvaged text).
- Equipment:
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A set of common clothes, tattered and sun-bleached
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An herbalism kit
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A waterskin
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A staff or sturdy walking stick
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A trinket that serves as a memento of your life before being lost, or an unusual item you found in the desert that helped you survive (e.g., a strangely shaped stone, a piece of carved bone, a faded map fragment)
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A belt pouch containing 10 gp
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Your time in the desert has attuned you to the subtle signs and rhythms of arid, desolate environments. When you are in a desert or similarly barren wasteland:
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You can find twice as much food and water as you normally would when foraging.
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You can accurately recall the general layout of desert terrain you have traversed within the last month.
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You have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks made to navigate or avoid getting lost in such environments.
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You have heard ancient tales, local legends, or unsettling whispers regarding hidden oases, forgotten ruins, peculiar creatures, or specific dangers unique to desert regions. When relevant, your DM might provide you with a piece of such lore.
Suggested Characteristics
Those who survive the deep desert are often profoundly changed by their experiences. Consider these characteristics or use them as inspiration.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am incredibly resourceful and can make do with very little. |
| 2 | I am quiet and observant, always scanning my surroundings for threats or resources. |
| 3 | The silence of the wastes is more comforting to me than the bustle of a city. |
| 4 | I instinctively hoard water and food, even when plentiful. |
| 5 | I have a deep, almost spiritual respect for the power of nature, especially its harsher aspects. |
| 6 | I sometimes talk to myself, the wind, or inanimate objects—a habit from long days of solitude. |
| 7 | I am haunted by the things I saw or did to survive, and it sometimes makes me withdrawn. |
| 8 | I find a stark beauty in desolation where others see only emptiness. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Resilience: No matter the hardship, I will endure and overcome. (Any) |
| 2 | Freedom: Having been at the mercy of the elements, I cherish the freedom to choose my own path. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Community: I survived alone; now I understand the profound value of companionship and will protect those I travel with. (Good) |
| 4 | Knowledge: The desert taught me many secrets; I seek to learn more about the world's hidden places and ancient truths. (Neutral) |
| 5 | Self-Sufficiency: I rely on my own skills and wits above all else. (Any) |
| 6 | Adaptation: The strong adapt and survive; the weak perish. I will be strong. (Evil or Neutral) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am searching for any sign of my family or companions who were lost with me in the desert. |
| 2 | A particular oasis, landmark, or ruin in the desert is sacred or deeply important to me. |
| 3 | I owe my life to a mysterious stranger, a desert creature, or a specific deity who I believe guided me to safety. |
| 4 | The trinket I carry is my only link to my past life, and I would do anything to protect it. |
| 5 | I feel a kinship with those who have suffered great loss or endured extreme hardship. |
| 6 | I am driven to find a legendary lost city or artifact rumored to be hidden within the wastes I once roamed. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am deeply distrustful of strangers and their motives. |
| 2 | I am terrified of enclosed spaces or large crowds after spending so much time in the vast emptiness. |
| 3 | I sometimes make rash or desperate decisions when I feel threatened or my survival is at stake. |
| 4 | The lines between mirage and reality sometimes blur for me, even outside the desert. |
| 5 | I am quick to anger if I feel my resources (especially food or water) are threatened or wasted. |
| 6 | The horrors I witnessed or endured in the desert still give me vivid nightmares and occasional flashbacks. |
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