"Of all the curses I have seen, the worst afflicted me the day I was born. It is rather complex, but in summary it is called "Life".
~ Enrico, The Tired Engineer
You have been cursed by a powerful entity. You’ve tried to remove it or cure it, to no avail. The curse cannot be removed by any means you possess, or even know of. The curse burdens you with one of the burdens from the Curses table.
This background is not for the faint of heart, some curses can be truly gruelling to live with, whereas others are more situational. These curses are to be more of a story aid than anything, so be creative.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Arcana, Investigation, Religion, or Survival
- Languages: Choose one exotic language (Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, or Undercommon)
- Equipment: An monster hunter’s pack, a set of common clothes, and one artisan's tools set.
Feature: Curse
| 1d10 |
Burden |
| 1 |
Your hit point maximum is reduced by your proficiency bonus times your character level. |
| 2 |
You are hideously disfigured and have disadvantage in all animal handling, performance and persuasion checks. |
| 3 |
You are vulnerable to a random damage type. |
| 4 |
Your words are twisted and you can only be understood by those who have spent a full year as your companion, are telepathic, or are trying to kill you. |
| 5 |
You know that if your hit points are ever reduced to 0, you will transform into a monstrous undead. |
| 6 |
You are unable to sleep, you constantly have one level of exhaustion. |
| 7 |
You are diseased, if one disease is cured you immediately become infected with a new, different disease. |
| 8 |
You cannot survive without eating the flesh of your own kind. |
| 9 |
All the food and drink you intake turns to ash in your mouth, you don't starve but the lack of all tastes drives you slowly to insanity. |
| 10 |
You hold in a second personality brought on by the curse, but it also believes it was the original owner of your body, and over time you question if it might be true. |
Your curse burdens you, but brings about unexpected boons:
| 1d10 |
Boon |
| 1 |
You gain natural armour that grants an AC equal to 13 + your Dexterity modifier. |
| 2 |
You gain resistance in a random damage type. |
| 3 |
Your curse can be temporarily suppressed by a concoction that is relatively cheap and easy to brew. |
| 4 |
Your curse allows you to use the Primal Savagery cantrip innately. |
| 5 |
You are proficient in Constitution saving throws. If you already were, you are doubly proficient (Expertise). |
| 6 |
To complete a long rest you now only have to rest for half the time it would otherwise be. |
| 7 |
You are proficient in Arcana skill checks. If you already were, you are doubly proficient (Expertise). |
| 8 |
You have contacts, others with similar afflictions. These people will extend a friendly hand, offering food, shelter and favours, if treated with respect. |
| 9 |
You have attracted the attention of a scholar who has become obsessed with studying your curse, and by extension, undoing it. |
| 10 |
Living with your curse has made you more versatile, you gain one feat of your choice. |
| 1d10 |
Quirk |
| 1 |
Acid |
| 2 |
Cold |
| 3 |
Fire |
| 4 |
Force |
| 5 |
Lightning |
| 6 |
Necrotic |
| 7 |
Poison |
| 8 |
Psychic |
| 9 |
Radiant |
| 10 |
Thunder |
Suggested Characteristics
You have learned to live with the curse that burdens you. You are a survivor, who can be very protective of those who bring light into your darkened life.
| d8 |
Personality Trait |
|
1
|
I don’t run from evil. Evil runs from me.
|
|
2
|
I like to read and memorize poetry. It keeps me calm and brings me fleeting moments of happiness.
|
|
3
|
I spend money freely and live life to the fullest, knowing that tomorrow I might die.
|
|
4
|
I live for the thrill of the hunt.
|
|
5
|
I don’t talk about the thing that torments me. I’d rather not burden others with my curse.
|
|
6
|
I expect danger around every corner.
|
|
7
|
I refuse to become a victim, and I will not allow others to be victimized.
|
|
8
|
I put no trust in divine beings.
|
| d6 |
Ideal |
|
1
|
I try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good)
|
|
2
|
I’ll free myself from my curse or die trying. (Any)
|
|
3
|
I kill monsters to make the world a safer place, and to exorcise my own demons. (Good)
|
|
4
|
I have a dark calling that puts me above the law. (Chaotic)
|
|
5
|
I like to know my enemy’s capabilities and weaknesses before rushing into battle. (Lawful)
|
|
6
|
I’m a monster that destroys other monsters, and anything else that gets in my way. (Evil)
|
| d6 |
Bond |
|
1
|
I keep my thoughts and discoveries in a journal. My journal is my legacy.
|
|
2
|
I would sacrifice my life and my soul to protect the innocent.
|
|
3
|
My curse drove away the person I love. I strive to win back the love I’ve lost.
|
|
4
|
A terrible guilt consumes me. I hope that I can find redemption through my actions.
|
|
5
|
There’s evil in me, I can feel it. It must never be set free.
|
|
6
|
I have a child to protect. I must make the world a safer place for him (or her).
|
| d6 |
Flaw |
|
1
|
I have certain rituals that I must follow every day. I can never break them.
|
|
2
|
I assume the worst in people.
|
|
3
|
I feel no compassion for the dead. They’re the lucky ones.
|
|
4
|
I have an addiction.
|
|
5
|
I am a purveyor of doom and gloom who lives in a world without hope.
|
|
6
|
I talk to spirits that no one else can see.
|
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