You were once an ordinary individual - until you brushed against something beyond mortal comprehension. Whether through a forbidden ritual, a cursed artifact, or an encounter with an otherworldly entity, the void marked you. Now, your knowledge of the arcane is unsettlingly deep, and your presence alone unnerves those around you. Some see you as a necessary weapon against the unknown; others fear you as something no longer entirely human.
- Skill Proficiencies:
- Arcana
- Intimidation
- Tool Proficiencies:
- One type of artisan’s tools or calligrapher’s supplies
- One gaming set
- Languages: One of your choice (often something rare or esoteric, like Deep Speech)
- Equipment:
- A token from your encounter with the void (shard, blackened charm, or strange glyph)
- A set of dark, imposing clothes with a hood
- A journal filled with fragmented arcane notes
- A gaming set or artisan’s tools (your choice)
- A belt pouch containing 10 gp
Your exposure to the unknown has left a lingering mark. Common folk instinctively feel uneasy around you, often giving you space or avoiding confrontation. When dealing with non-hostile NPCs of lower status, you can usually secure an audience, cooperation, or silence through subtle intimidation - though this may come at the cost of trust or goodwill.
Suggested Characteristics
Personality Traits
- I speak in unsettling truths that others would rather ignore.
- I rarely blink, and my gaze makes people uncomfortable.
- I am obsessed with uncovering hidden knowledge, no matter the cost.
- I remain eerily calm, even in situations that terrify others.
- I use fear as a tool, not out of cruelty, but necessity.
- I mutter arcane phrases under my breath when thinking.
Ideals
- Power. Knowledge of the unknown is the greatest weapon. (Evil)
- Control. Fear must be mastered, not succumbed to. (Lawful)
- Truth. The world deserves to know what lurks beyond. (Neutral)
- Protection. I use my curse to shield others from worse fates. (Good)
- Freedom. No force—mortal or otherwise—will control me again. (Chaotic)
- Balance. The veil between worlds must not be broken. (Neutral)
Bonds
- I seek the source of the power that changed me.
- I owe my life to someone who accepted me despite my nature.
- A secret cult hunts me for what I know.
- I guard a dangerous artifact that must never fall into the wrong hands.
- I am bound to an entity that whispers in my dreams.
- I left someone behind when I became what I am.
Flaws
- I rely too heavily on fear to solve my problems.
- I am drawn to dangerous magic, even when I shouldn’t be.
- I struggle to connect with others on a human level.
- I sometimes hear voices that guide - or mislead - me.
- I believe I am already beyond saving.
- I push people away before they can reject me.
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