Psychic

 

At a young age, likely sometime during adolescence, you began to develop unusual capabilities- abilities no one else has, but aren't magic. They're just something you can "do". You are a psychic. For some people, these powers are wildly out of control, being more of a nuisance or disruption than a useful tool, some can only access their powers through intense concentration or while under the effects of powerful emotion, while others use their powers as naturally as they would their own hands. A few psychics may have multiple powers, but most only have one. Regardless of the nature of your powers, they changed your entire life. Simpler, uneducated folk fear and misunderstand psychic powers as a form of foul witchcraft, the effects of a curse, or some other thing- much as they may fear magic they do not understand. If it became known that you have these powers, you were likely shunned, exiled, or possibly even arrested or assaulted. Did you hide your powers, and if so, did anyone ever find out? Were you open to your abilities? Were you treated differently, or did people accept you? Have you ever faced intolerance or fear because of your powers? What do you think of your powers- are they natural and a part of who you are, or are they some unnatural burden foisted upon you by fate? Did you have any mentors or teachers who helped you come to terms with or gain control over your powers? How did you use your powers in your day-to-day life or to make a living?

 

This background comes from the D&D wiki. I customized it for use in a campaign. I claim no credit for its creation.

Skill Proficiencies: You gain proficiency in Insight and Perception

Languages: You gain proficiency with one language of your choice. 

Equipment: A trinket of Psychic or supernatural significance, Traveler's Clothes, a pouch containing 10 GP

Suggested Characteristics

How has your life been affected by your powers? Negatively? Positively? Or are you jaded about the whole thing in general? 

d8	Personality Trait
1	My powers are growing day by day, and with each day I feel more at peace with them.
2	I know nothing of what is happening to me, but I know it is not natural.
3	I care not for how or why I have powers, I want them gone.
4	I sometimes have dreams of strange things that hold no relevance to anything.
5	I like using my powers to do tricks, pranks and funny jokes
6	I'll do anything to find out more about my powers, no matter the cost.
7	Particular stimuli, such as a specific color or loud noises, make me go crazy.
8	I am fascinated by things of a supernatural nature.

d6	Ideal
1	Order. I must keep my powers in check, only using them to help, never to harm. (Lawful)
2	Peace. The world doesn't need another tyrant, it needs a savior. (Good)
3	Destruction. I will use my powers to crush all that would threaten me. (Chaotic)
4	Power. The power that I have is only a means to an end. That end is acquiring more power. (Evil)
5	Balance. Like everything else, I exist for a reason and a cause, and mine is to keep the harmony and balance of our world. (Neutral)
6	Loneliness. No one would listen, no one cared, so why should I. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	I knew a guy who had the same powers as me. Guess what? he's dead.
2	My parents left me at an orphanage when I was just a child.
3	I harmed the ones I cared for using my powers, I can't do it again.
4	There was a wise teacher who taught me everything I know, for that I am grateful.
5	Once I ran with a circus as one of the carnies.
6	A group of unreasonable individuals are hunting me all over the world.

d6	Flaw
1	Powers rarely ever work the way you want or need them to, especially mine.
2	Sometimes I forget what I am doing or why i'm doing it, so I try to ..... what was I talking about?
3	My powers can sometimes activate by themselves, oops ..... just like that.
4	Voices speak to me and tell me ways to hurt other people. Yeah, they're doing it right now.
5	I am a compulsive liar about anything and everything.
6	I can never get a date using my powers.