Dread Hunter

You have glimpsed the world as it festers under the influence of the Shadowfell. Whether a survivor of an incursion, an exile from a fallen realm, or a chosen hunter of light, your soul resonates with one truth: Dread Lords must be extinguished, root and throne. You carry the scars of fear—but they’ve become your armor.

 

Ability Scores: +1 Dexterity

+1 Wisdom

Feat: Shadow's Bane

You gain resistance to necrotic damage. You gain Darkvision (or increase it by 60 ft), can't be surprised, and can always detect the presence of Dread Lords, undead and fiends within 60 feet (though not their exact location).

 

Skill Proficiencies: Stealth

Survival

Religion

Tool Proficiencies: Poisoner's Kit

Equipment:

• A cloak woven from the essence of the Shadowfell
• A journal filled with notes and hunting strategies for Dread Lords and their armies.
• 40 gp in ichor stained coins

Suggested Characteristics

Personality Trait (d8)

1. I never sleep longer than four hours—too many nightmares.,

1. I see ghosts in every shadow and faces in the fog.,

1. My voice stays quiet, but my gaze never falters.,

1. I always leave a blade under my pillow.,

1. I bless the ground at dawn and salt it at dusk.,

1. I track fear like blood on stone.,

1. I speak to the dead as if they’re still listening.,

1. I laugh only when the work is done.,

Ideal (d6)

1. Cleansing. I will root out every Dread Lord and burn their thrones. (Good),

1. Survival. I endure so that others may live free of fear. (Neutral),

1. Justice. The Shadowfell doesn’t ask for mercy, and I offer none. (Lawful),

1. Balance. Even dread must know its boundaries. (Neutral),

1. Atonement. I failed once. I won’t fail again. (Any),

1. Wrath. I take joy in slaying the corrupted. (Chaotic),

Bond (d6)

1. My village was swallowed by the mists—I hunt for the one who let it happen.,

1. I wear the keepsake of a fallen comrade who still visits me in dreams.,

1. A dying paladin gave me their holy symbol—I carry it in their stead.,

1. I alone escaped a corrupted realm. I must ensure it doesn’t happen again.,

1. I hunt a specific Dread Lord whose name I dare not speak aloud.,

1. I am the final guardian of a secret path into the Shadowfell.,

Flaw (d6)

1. I can’t shake the feeling that something still watches me.,

1. I speak to shadows as if they’ll answer back.,

1. I keep trophies from the monsters I kill.,

1. I trust only those who’ve faced the dark and bled for it.,

1. I would rather kill a suspect than risk another invasion.,

1. I see omens in every crack and whisper, even where there are none.