Escaped hellguard

“I was the blade that kept the damned in line. Now, I fight for my own soul.”

You once served as a soldier or jailer in the Nine Hells—wielding steel and wrath in service to infernal masters.

one day you had enough, and you escaped without another thought. As if you were being controlled by your natural instincts to do so. Through raw strength, treachery, or a rare act of mercy, you broke free of your infernal chains and returned to the Material Plane. But Hell is not so easily left behind. You carry its scars in your stance, its tactics in your grip, and its shadow in your wake.

You are still a fighter—but no longer their weapon. Now you fight for purpose. Wether it be for redemption, vengeance, or survival.

Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation and Perception

Tool Proficiencies: Smith’s tools or vehicles (land)

Languages: Common and infernal 

Equipment:

• A piece of your old infernal armor (partially scarred)

• A whetstone inscribed with infernal runes

• A set of dark traveler’s clothes

• A pouch containing 15 gp

Suggested Characteristics

A fighter with this background is shaped by trauma, war, and a hardened sense of purpose. Some aim to forget. Others burn with resolve.

Personality Traits (d8)

1. I speak in clipped, efficient terms. Hell wastes no words. (Neutral)

2. I appraise every new person as a potential threat or ally. (Lawful neutral)

3. I keep my weapons near and my back to a wall. (Neutral evil)

4. I don’t sleep well unless I’m surrounded by stone. (Neutral good)

5. I measure people by how they fight, not how they talk. (Chaotic neutral)

6. I take insults as invitations to duel. (Lawful evil)

7. I offer blunt advice—tactics save lives. (Lawful neutral)

8. I instinctively salute commanding officers, even now. (Lawful good)

Ideals (d6)

1. Freedom. I escaped Hell—I won’t serve another master.

2. Redemption. I did terrible things. Now I try to make amends.

3. War. I am a soldier. It’s the only thing I know.

4. Justice. Those who abuse power must be stopped.

5. Strength. I survived Hell because I’m stronger than anything it threw at me.

6. Order. The world needs discipline—but not cruelty.

Bonds (d6)

1. I still hear the screams of those I once guarded—and I remember their names.

2. I swore to protect a mortal family or town that took me in.

3. I carry a weapon forged in Hell, bound to my fate.

4. I seek the one who broke me out—and owe them everything.

5. I write down every fiend’s name I learn. Someday, they’ll all pay.

6. I have an infernal brand somewhere on my body—I hide it at all costs.

Flaws (d6)

1. I solve problems with violence first. It’s what I know. 

2. I can't let go of the guilt from what I did in Hell.

3. I secretly fear I belong back there.

4. I’m cold and unemotional—Hell burned away my empathy.

5. I find it hard to trust paladins or clerics—they weren’t there.

6. I feel no remorse when I kill—it’s just duty.