You are not of this world. Your previous life, on a world perhaps called "Earth" or something stranger still, came to an end. But instead of fading into nothingness or proceeding to a familiar afterlife, you encountered something... vast. A being you might later learn was Ao, the Overgod, or perhaps some other cosmic entity fulfilling that role.
You conversed, somehow, with this being. Maybe you asked, maybe you impressed, or maybe you were simply chosen. You were offered a second chance in a new reality – a world of swords, dragons, and magic, a classic fantasy world from your stories.Before being sent forth, you were granted a specific, potent gift – a 'cheat ability' to give you an edge. You arrived disoriented, possessing only the clothes on your back, a strange artifact from your past life, and this singular, powerful advantage. You know nothing of this world's ways, its languages, or its dangers, but you wield one type of weapon with uncanny skill.
- Skill Proficiencies: None. You arrive as a blank slate regarding the skills valued in this world. You must learn through experience.
- Tool Proficiencies: None.
- Languages: None. You cannot speak, read, or understand any language native to the D&D multiverse upon arrival. Communication will initially be a major hurdle, relying on gestures, mimicry, or magical assistance.
- Equipment:
- The clothes you were wearing when you died (likely looking very out of place)
- A non-functional smartphone (or similar technological device from your home world). It holds no magical properties and cannot be recharged or repaired by conventional means in this world, serving only as a memento.
- No gold or other starting equipment.
Weapon Expertise: You have Expertise with one martial weapon type of your choosing. This means you add double your proficiency bonus to attack rolls made with that weapon type. You do not however gain any weapon proficiencies granted by your class.
The vast entity (Ao or similar), it did not merely grant you power, but ignited a latent potential deep within your soul, creating an Innate Font of raw magical energy. This personal reservoir of power functions entirely outside the constraints of the Weave (or similar magical structures).You gain a single special spell slot fueled by this internal Font of mana.
- This spell slot starts as a 1st-level spell slot at character level 1.
- The level of this spell slot increases as you gain character levels: it becomes a 2nd-level slot at level 3, a 3rd-level slot at level 5, a 4th-level slot at level 7, a 5th-level slot at level 9, a 6th-level slot at level 11, a 7th-level slot at level 13, an 8th-level slot at level 15, and finally a 9th-level slot at level 17.
- You can use this spell slot once per long rest to cast any one spell of the slot's current level or lower, from any class's spell list.
- You do not need any material components (including those with a gold cost) to cast the spell using this feature.
- Casting a spell this way still requires the normal verbal and somatic components, if any. You might perform these instinctively, awkwardly mimicking half-remembered gestures or sounds, or perhaps the power simply erupts from you in response to your will, fulfilling the components mystically.
- If the chosen spell requires concentration, you must concentrate on it as normal.
- You do not know any spells inherently through this feature; you simply choose one spell to manifest each time you use the slot. Think of it as reaching into your Innate Font and shaping the raw potential gifted to you into the specific magical effect you most desire or need in that moment.
- Furthermore, your soul bears an undeniable mark from the entity that granted you this second chance. Deities lesser than Ao can perceive this mark, recognizing your otherworldly origin and sensing the touch of supreme authority upon you – marking you, in their eyes, as akin to 'Ao's Chosen' or touched by something similarly fundamental. Whether out of deference to the Overgod, adherence to cosmic hierarchy, or simple prudence, such deities will refrain from directly targeting you with their own divine spells, powers, channel divinity effects, or curses. They perceive you as operating under a different, higher sanction. However, this divine recognition does not shield you from the actions of their mortal (or immortal) followers, nor does it protect you from the indirect fallout or consequences of divine machinations or interventions in the world.
Suggested Characteristics
These characteristics emphasize the character's profound displacement, lack of basic world knowledge, reliance on specific gifts, and potential social isolation.
Personality Traits
|
d8 |
Personality Trait |
|
1 |
I constantly touch or fiddle with my smartphone, even though it doesn't work. It's my anchor. |
|
2 |
I express complex thoughts through very simple words (once learned) and lots of gestures. |
|
3 |
I see many dangers here as challenges or "levels" to overcome, sometimes underestimating the real stakes. |
|
4 |
Having nothing, I am fiercely protective of the few allies or possessions I gain. |
|
5 |
I call my special spellcasting my "Cheat Skill" and my sword skill my "Main Weapon." |
|
6 |
I am bewildered by everyday magic and technology (like wagons or lanterns) in this world. |
|
7 |
I often stare blankly when people talk about history, gods, or customs I don't understand. |
|
8 |
I try to apply logic from my old world to situations here, often with strange or disastrous results. |
Ideals
|
d6 |
Ideal |
|
1 |
Survival. I have nothing and know nothing. Staying alive is my only priority right now. (Any) |
|
2 |
Power. I was weak before. With these gifts, I will become strong enough that no one can hurt me. (Chaotic or Evil) |
|
3 |
Understanding. I need to figure out the rules of this world – magic, society, everything – to function. (Neutral) |
|
4 |
Connection. I am utterly alone. Finding someone who understands or accepts me is vital. (Good or Neutral) |
|
5 |
Purpose. Why was I chosen? There must be a reason Ao sent me here. I will find it. (Lawful or Neutral) |
|
6 |
Return. This isn't my home. My ultimate goal is to find a way back, no matter the cost. (Any) |
Bonds
|
d6 |
Bond |
|
1 |
My non-functional smartphone is my most prized possession, my only link to my past. |
|
2 |
I feel a strange sense of duty towards Ao, the entity that gave me this second chance. |
|
3 |
The first person who treats me with patience and helps me learn the language will earn my unwavering loyalty. |
|
4 |
My greatsword feels like an extension of my soul; I am lost without it. |
|
5 |
I am driven by the memory of someone I lost or left behind in my previous life. |
|
6 |
I secretly hope to find other people who came here like I did. |
Flaws
|
d6 |
Flaw |
|
1 |
My complete lack of local knowledge makes me a danger to myself and others. |
|
2 |
I rely entirely on my Greatsword expertise and my "Cheat Skill," neglecting teamwork or other solutions. |
|
3 |
I suffer from crippling homesickness and bouts of despair. |
|
4 |
Because I died once, I can be incredibly reckless, assuming I'll just get another chance. |
|
5 |
I assume people are hostile or mocking me when I don't understand them. |
|
6 |
I might see NPCs as less "real" than myself, like characters in a game. |
-
View User Profile
-
Send Message
Posted May 25, 2025Hello. I would like to get feedback on this. Thanks so much! Its a very interesting background for roleplay and etc. You can change Ao to any outer god or "omnipotent"-ish god of your setting if you would like. Its a pretty fun and interesting background in my opinion.