Once a mighty and ambitious king, you ruled a prosperous realm forged in conquest and fire. You sought immortality not out of fear—but out of pride. You believed the world needed your reign to last forever. When a dark emissary came bearing a gift of great power—a ring, a gem, a pact—you accepted it without hesitation. And so your legacy was twisted.
Your kingdom fell, your name was erased, and you were bound to undeath. Now you are a Wraith, a fallen monarch clad in shadows, cursed to serve powers greater than your own—or perhaps, to break free and rise again.
- Ability Scores:
As a character shaped by command and undeath, this background favors Charisma and Intelligence. Charisma represents your lingering aura of command and dread, while Intelligence reflects your knowledge of ancient history, tactics, and dark lore. You may assign your ability scores to fit your story, but these two hold the greatest connection to your cursed legacy.
- Feat:
When you choose this background, you gain the "Legacy of Shadows" feat:
Legacy of Shadows:
Once per long rest, you can invoke the remnants of your fallen kingdom to impose fear. As a bonus action, target one creature within 30 feet that can see you. That creature must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier) or be Frightened until the end of your next turn. While frightened this way, the creature also hears faint whispers of your true name or the screams of your past subjects. - Skill Proficiencies:
You gain proficiency in History and Intimidation. These reflect your scholarly knowledge of ancient times—especially your own—and your commanding, fearsome presence drawn from a life (and death) of rulership.
- Tool Proficiencies:
You gain proficiency with one gaming set of your choice. This set, perhaps a bone-carved chess set or obsidian dice, is a relic of your noble court—a reminder of the strategy, ritual, and formality that once governed your every decision.
- Languages:
You gain one additional language, preferably an ancient, forgotten, or forbidden tongue. This might be Infernal, Abyssal, or a long-lost dialect from your destroyed kingdom—one no longer spoken, save in cursed ruins or whispered to ghosts.
- Equipment:
You start with the following equipment:
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A signet ring bearing your former royal crest (cracked or shadowed)
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A scroll listing the laws of your fallen kingdom (mostly unreadable or symbolic)
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Your chosen gaming set
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A set of dark fine clothes that shimmer like smoke
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A belt pouch containing 15 gp in blackened or foreign coinage
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You were once a king—and that aura has not fully faded. In places tied to death, forgotten royalty, or ancient ruins, people may react to you with fear or awe. Scholars, necromancers, and cultists may recognize the mark of undeath upon you and treat you as an authority or omen. Once per long rest, you can call upon your legacy to gain advantage on a Charisma (Intimidation) or Charisma (Persuasion) check when speaking of your past or issuing a command tied to it.
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