An ancient, self-willed automaton from a civilization before the First Copper Age, now wandering Karathar to recover the stolen Wing—the living arcano-tech core that once powered its soul. Briefly aligned with the clandestine Broken Flame, you learned to follow relic trails, read forbidden maps, and vanish into old routes. You left amicably to pursue the Wing alone, leaving quiet ripples in the Prophecy of the North Wind.
Broken Flame Black-Lanterns
You can discreetly tap a black-lantern network—handlers, archivists, back-alley artificers, and shrine-keepers with ties to the Broken Flame. In most settlements you can secure modest lodging, safe storage for a small item, and reliable rumors about relic activity or sealed sites, provided you offer a useful lead or a minor favor in return. When dealing with relic smugglers, ex-operatives, or other black-lantern contacts, you have advantage on Charisma checks to establish initial trust (DM’s discretion).
- Ability Scores: This background doesn’t grant ability score increases by default.
- Feat: This background does not grant a feat by default.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two: Investigation, History, Perception, Survival. You are trained to authenticate relics, read pre-Copper routes, and survive in wind-cut ruins and vaults.
- Tool Proficiencies: Choose two: Tinker’s tools, Cartographer’s tools, Smith’s tools, Thieves’ tools. Your fieldwork blends repair, mapping, metalwork, and discreet entry.
- Languages: Choose one ancient or esoteric language (e.g., a pre-Copper tongue tied to lost waystations, shrine-cant, or vault glyphs). You also know Common.
- Equipment: A ciphered relic-map of Karathar (with pre-Copper waypoints), a vault-tag shard bearing the lost kingdom’s seal, charcoal & chalk kit for rubbings, a wax seal, a traveler’s pack, and 10 gp in mixed, outdated coinage.
Suggested Characteristics
You think in ledgers and waypoints; loyalty is a ledger, too. Traits tend toward quiet diligence, methodical curiosity, and a willingness to do what works. Ideals focus on restoration, truth, and protection. Bonds often tie to the Wing, the Broken Flame, or a named keeper who once sheltered you. Flaws reflect tunnel vision, underestimating “soft” power, and prioritizing objectives over comfort or etiquette.
Contacts
Your Black-Lantern Rolodex includes handlers, historians, artificers, and caravaners who trade in truths and safe passage. Use this table to identify who can provide lodging, rumors, or a discreet audience in your current region.
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