You have been branded an outcast, or pariah if you prefer, by the community you come from. Rejected by society, you were looked down upon, excluded, even completely ignored. You may have been violently mistreated, oppressed and terrorised, prosecuted, imprisoned or chased away. You were shunned not only by strangers, but also by those close to you: friends and even family. As a result, you had to fight alone for your survival. Your past life was wrecked: you lost your standing, family and home. Whether you left willingly in the face of such treatment, were forced to leave or fled for your life, your ordeals in some way stay with you and have shaped who you are. You have become an outcast, living in social and even physical isolation. What made you an outcast? The thing that set you apart is called your stigma. You may roll on the table below or use it for inspiration. Note that what is considered taboo or unacceptable in one society at a certain time might be the norm in another one. In other words, all below depends on the setting. Work with your DM to come up with a backstory you like and which fits the setting. Your stigma can be something rather mundane that would raise few eyebrows elsewhere, or it can be a real problem also for you (e.g. a disease). In the latter case, you may discuss with your DM if you should choose some additional benefit, so that your background does not penalise you in game terms. However, most of the “stigma” below have nothing negative to them as such – they are just examples of why you were excluded. These are (unfortunately) far from the only possible cases of social exclusion, but can serve as a good starting point:
- Skill Proficiencies: Many outcasts have been forced to live in isolation, as hermits. (However, the Hermit background is mostly focussed on chosen seclusion for spiritual or formative development. The reality of the outcast is often quite different.) How did you survive this period of isolation and continue on? You may have passed rough times as a vagrant, unable to stay in any one place or to form close and lasting relationships. You might have taken to the woods, living more as a wild animal than a human being. Or you may have been fortunate enough to find a new group that took you in – maybe a convent of another faith, another race of creatures (from demihumans to the monstrous), a secret society asking only allegiance and no other questions, or a wizard’s academy only interested in your magic potential. Perhaps, physically you never left at all, but were forced to hide your true nature, living close to your tormentors and in constant fear of being discovered.
- Equipment: Equipment: a set of worn-out traveller’s clothes, a winter blanket, and 5 GP.
Stigma
The thing that set you apart is called your stigma. You may roll on the table below or use it for inspiration. Note that what is considered taboo or unacceptable in one society at a certain time might be the norm in another one. In other words, all below depends on the setting. Work with your DM to come up with a backstory you like and which fits the setting. Your stigma can be something rather mundane that would raise few eyebrows elsewhere, or it can be a real problem also for you (e.g. a disease). In the latter case, you may discuss with your DM if you should choose some additional benefit, so that your background does not penalise you in game terms. However, most of the “stigma” below have nothing negative to them as such – they are just examples of why you were excluded. These are (unfortunately) far from the only possible cases of social exclusion, but can serve as a good starting point:
Once you have chosen, think about your own view of your stigma, which may be quite different from that of people around you. Do you embrace it, do you feel ashamed or just unlucky?
| d20 |
Stigma |
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1
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Physical trait (e.g. too tall / short / weak, grotesque scars, skin spots considered “mark of evil”, physical disability)
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2
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Ancestry: illegitimate child, sorcerer bloodline, or offspring of “improper” parents (of other race, monster, or through involvement of magic)
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3
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Disease (e.g. leprosy, lycanthropy, plague)
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4
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Beliefs considered heretical, immoral, outrageous or dangerous
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5
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Membership of forbidden society, group or religion
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6
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Unacceptable race (dwarf, elf, etc.), nationality, ethnic origin, sexuality or gender identity
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7
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Forbidden studies or education (e.g. alchemy, astrology, school of magic, forbidden scriptures)
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8
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Socially unacceptable behaviour (e.g. record of criminality, antisocial behaviour)
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9
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Personal conflict with ruling or powerful elites (e.g. family grudge with nobility, royal family, members of priesthood)
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10
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Broken cultural or religious taboo (e.g. desecrated holy place, ate of forbidden fruit) or broken personal sacred oath or promise
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11
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Unacceptable occupational choice (e.g. male drow priest, woman in exclusively male brotherhood)
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12
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Victim of “witch hunt” or passing wave of paranoia or xenophobia
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13
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Unacceptable love affair or other close relationship
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14
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Suspected of using forbidden magic or other forbidden powers (e.g. psionics, warlock pact)
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15
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Criminal offense (e.g. murder, major theft) – perhaps an accident, and guilty or not
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16
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Too close contacts with members of unacceptable group (e.g. opposing religion, or elf befriending dwarf)
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17
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Addiction to forbidden substance
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18
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Singled out for exclusion due to omen or prophesy (interpretation of comet, falling star, drought, 2 dreams, etc.)
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19
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Haphazardly singled out for exclusion by mad ruler or by chance process (lottery, competitions or games)
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20
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Falsely accused of another of the options on the list
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Feature: Indomitable
If your freedom and/or personal integrity seems threatened, you have advantage on rolls to withstand attempts to intimidate, frighten, subjugate or control your mind (including charms).
Suggested Characteristics
Outcasts are shaped by their stigma and ordeals. Their extreme experiences tend to influence their view of the world, their personality and their relations with other people, even to an extent they are not themselves aware of. Some harbour a burning hatred for those who cast them out – sometimes transferred to the whole of society – others would beg to be readmitted if they had the chance. Some become proactive rebels against the oppression they suffered, while others turn into guilt-ridden, silent victims of a shame they cannot overcome, even in front of themselves. None is unmarked by the experience. Your personality and flaws can reflect the mental and other traumas you have suffered. The good news is that what did not kill you might very well have made you stronger. While you may seek revenge against those who ruined your former life, you may show particular empathy towards creatures that have suffered a similar fate to yours.
| d12 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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I have faced real hardships and oppression – nothing makes me cringe.
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2
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I avoid speaking my mind, as I have learned the hard way how dangerous it can be.
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3
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I cannot refrain from criticising those who excluded me, no matter the topic.
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4
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My heart bleeds for all creatures oppressed or silenced.
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5
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I am convinced that I am special – chosen – why else was I singled out?
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6
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I always sleep close to an exit, weapon in arm’s reach – you never know when they come to take you away …
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7
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I am so, so sorry for my deficiencies – please let me come with you.
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8
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I have seen through the lies of civilisation – the wolves of the wild were kinder to me than my family and “friends”.
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9
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I do not trust anyone except myself – that’s how I stayed alive all these years.
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10
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I was almost broken once, but it will never happen again – I stand down to no one!
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11
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I am utterly lonely and miserable and wish for no one to go through the same as I have.
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12
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In the beginning, I lied to survive – now I don’t know where to stop.
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| d8 |
Ideal |
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1
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Freedom. No one should be silenced or oppressed, everyone should have full freedom. (Chaotic)
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2
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Empathy. I identify with the oppressed and down-trodden, and feel the urge to help them. (Good)
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3
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Logic. Only logical thinking can save us from the whims of the masses. (Lawful)
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4
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Revenge. Everyone will pay for what was done to me. Everyone. (Evil)
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5
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Free thinking. If you do not think freely, you cannot think rightly. (Chaotic)
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6
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Live and let live. Every creature is unique and should be left alone to live as it was created. (Neutral)
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7
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Strength. In this unfair world, only the strongest, smart enough to play foul, can survive and prosper. (Evil)
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8
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Aspiration. I will show them all how wrong they were about me. (Any)
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| d10 |
Bond |
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1
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I belong to a group who share my stigma.
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2
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My enemies are still after me and one day I must confront them.
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3
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In isolation I found a higher meaning than among men. I prefer nature now.
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4
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The thing that had me rejected is still all I care and think about.
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5
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I desperately wish I could return to my former life and community.
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6
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My exclusion opened unexpected doors: friendships and/or contacts I would otherwise never have had.
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7
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My arch enemy had me cast out. Neither of us has forgotten.
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8
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I swore allegiance to something that had me expelled, but I do not regret it.
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9
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Only I know the ugly truth behind my expulsion – and I wish to reveal it for all to see.
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10
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I hide my true self to anyone remotely linked to my oppressors.
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| d8 |
Flaw |
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1
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I harbour an insatiable desire for bloody revenge on all who rejected me.
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2
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I am scared senseless if I spot someone in league with my oppressors.
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3
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I lost everything and seek to console myself through drinking/gambling.
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4
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I am obsessed with my stigma and see everything through that prism.
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5
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I still have nightmares of my former life. If I pretend it did not happen, maybe it did not.
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6
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I must truly be cursed by the gods. I am not worth love and respect.
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7
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I take a perverse pleasure in breaking laws, traditions and expectations – no matter the result.
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8
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Everyone else is stupid. Only I understand.
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