Perhaps you were born under auspicious stars, or had a strange birthmark, or were the 13th son of a 13th son, but whatever the reason your birth was marked by prophecy... or so you thought. Not all prophecies are true, for every genuine prophet or diviner there are a dozen soothsayers peddling baseless superstition, and it turned out your prophecy was of the latter variety. For your entire life you were told you were special, both raised above the common folk and shouldered with impossible expectations, but now both that adulation and those expectations are gone. There is no purpose left for you, save that which you choose for yourself.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose 2: Persuasion, Athletics, Arcana, Religion
- Tool Proficiencies: Choose one: Herbalism Kit, Survivalist's Kit
- Languages: Choose any one language, ideally one appropriate to your specific circumstances (e.g. a character whose prophecy came from a church might speak Celestial as a way to better understand the gods who they were told chose them).
- Equipment: Any simple or martial weapon, Traveler's Clothes, Explorer's Pack, 15 GP
Despite your prophecy turning out to be a sham, your story still spread throughout your homeland or perhaps even further, and whether you mean to or not you still carry yourself with the bearing of a destined hero. Commoners will sometimes recognize you and offer what aid they can, and you'll often find yourself attracting a crowd in populated areas, many of them with requests for help of the adventuring or heroic variety.
Suggested Characteristics
Most children marked by prophecy have little in the way of an ordinary childhood, their days are spent training to fulfill their destined purpose, and are most often spent purely in the company of mentors and sages rather than friends. Some take to this life well, finding fulfillment in their supposed destiny and seeing themselves as apart from (and often above) the common folk, while to others such a life is a curse and their dearest wish is to just be normal. Whether you saw your prophecy as a blessing or a curse, growing up as a supposed chosen one will no doubt have marked you, and you may find it difficult to relate to those who did not share such an upbringing.
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I'm still used to thinking in terms of prophecy, and often interpret meaning even in mundane occurrences. |
| 2 | I still feel like I have a greater purpose, I must, I just have to find it. |
| 3 | I'm now deeply distrustful of mysticism, and only believe what I can see with my own eyes. |
| 4 | I resent those who thrust so much responsibility on me and just want to live my life on my own terms. |
| 5 | I never cared much about prophecies to begin with; being a hero is something you choose, and I chose it. |
| 6 | I feel lost without a predestined fate to guide me, and am looking for a new purpose. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Valor. Destined or not the world needs heroes, and I'll never stop fighting while there are still innocents to protect. (Good) |
| 2 | Vanity. Everyone loves a chosen one, and wouldn't it be nice if they never found out it was all a sham? I can make that happen. (Evil) |
| 3 | Duty. Maybe I wasn't chosen by a higher power, but I was still chosen by my people and nation, and I mustn't let them down. (Lawful) |
| 4 | Freedom. I know all too well how terrible it can be to be forced into a role you never wanted, no one should have to suffer that fate. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Independence. Without the prophecy my life is finally mine to live as I see fit, I'm done having others decide for me. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Aspiration. I never needed a prophecy, the legacy I leave behind will be built on my own triumphs, not something handed to me. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My people don't know the truth and are still depending on me to protect them. |
| 2 | I refuse to believe the prophecy isn't real, I just need to find a new way to fulfill it. |
| 3 | I'm going to find that soothsayer who ruined my life, and their "predictions" won't save them from my revenge. |
| 4 | I was prophesied to defeat a great evil, and even if the prophecy was made up I'm still the best person to do it. |
| 5 | A noble heard I was chosen and gave me aid in my quest, but now they're calling me a fraud and trying to have me arrested. |
| 6 | My prophecy might still be true, but someone else fulfills it better, and they don't want any rivals. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have an inflated ego and often think of others as less important. |
| 2 | I'm still so focused on my prophesied goal that I often ignore more immediate problems. |
| 3 | I'm so desperate to still be special that I can easily be manipulated and taken advantage of. |
| 4 | I'm now deeply skeptical of anything that sounds like my prophecy and will often dismiss even evidence backed claims. |
| 5 | I never had a chance to socialize with anyone as an equal and now find it difficult to get along with others. |
| 6 | I'm so used to thinking that the gods are watching over me that I'll take foolish risks and end up hurt. |
Unlike some others your prophecy was not one of hope but of despair, and from the moment of your birth those around you believed you were destined to bring naught but ruin. You may have been thought to be the reincarnation of an ancient evil, a child possessed by devils or one switched with a fey, or simply a bringer of bad luck, but whatever the case your sinister reputation meant you were largely hated and shunned by the community you grew up in. Even now, with the truth revealed, they are hardly eager to apologize and welcome you back with open arms, and thus you must find your own way in a world that has spurned you.
Stories of your prophecy may have spread far beyond your hometown, or you may simply have grown used to being feared and learned to lean into it, but whatever the case you have an uncanny ability to evoke dread in those around you. Add in a few mentions of your prophecy, perhaps with a few embellishments, and most superstitious folk will do anything they can to escape or placate you. It is very easy for you to intimidate others, especially those who put a lot of stock in prophecies and omens, but this can also put a target on your back; guards and the like will give you the benefit of the doubt much less than they would for others, and some may even try to arrest you on the barest suspicion alone.
(Replace Persuasion with Intimidation as one of your available skill choices).
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