You hail from the Underdark, the vast network of caverns, caves, and tunnels that exist below the surface. Whether it be for transgressions you committed or other reasons, you were forced out from the society that was your home and made to brave the pitiless subterranean wilds where danger is everywhere and death sudden. Your time alone was harsh, meandering, and sometimes hopeless, but the struggle has changed you, made you stronger. Whatever prejudices or certainties you held before your exile have faded away as experience forced you to evaluate everything anew in the struggle for survival.
Perhaps it was wanderlust, a quest of importance, or simple desperation that drove you to eventually seek the world above, but nonetheless you are there now. Whatever past affiliations, vendettas, or other baggage you had down below remain there, far away. But the surface is strange and full of its own peculiar dangers and difficulties; and your unusual appearance draw questions and scrutiny from others. No matter. While those here on the surface were coddled by the soft embrace of life above, you evolved in a darkness darker than night. You will survive and accomplish whatever purpose brought you to this alien life.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Athletics, Perception, Stealth, or Survival
- Languages: In addition to your native tongue, you can converse in Undercommon, the most common language in the Underdark.
- Equipment: An explorer's pack, a climber's kit, and dark common clothes.
Before your present adventures, your exile and eventual path to the world above was due to some life changing event that separated you from your family and community and out into the Underdark wilds. Choose some event for your exile, or roll one on the Lifechanging Events table.
| d6 | Lifechanging Event |
|---|---|
| 1 | You committed an act of blasphemy, offending the gods and teachings of your people. As punishment and retribution, you were banished from your home and left to die in the wild Underdark, an anathema to all your kin. |
| 2 | Your home was destroyed and people scattered when an enemy raiding party or some other terrifying entity attacked your community, causing you to desperately fleet into the dark. As far as you are aware, you were the only survivor. |
| 3 | Your family was of great importance in your community, perhaps an great noble house, but lost a power struggle and either fled, were exiled, or killed. Given the dangers of the Underdark, you do not know what became of the rest of your family. |
| 4 | You greatly upset a powerful, but secretive faction in your home. Fearing for your life, you fled to the wilds to escape their grasp. Surely their wrath cannot follow you into the world above, can it? |
| 5 | You took or were forced to take the fall for your friend's failure in an important matter. Your friend might have been a son or daughter or someone powerful, but you were expendable. |
| 6 | You accepted or were forced to go on a dangerous and perhaps impossible quest to the surface, either to save your family and people or perhaps for personal reasons. |
There is a wildness about you, a haunted look in your eyes that others are quick to perceive - no doubt a lasting impression from the terrors you have faced in the Underdark. Either from fear or prudence, most stay out of your way, as trouble always begets more trouble; and you definitely look like trouble. When necessary, however, your demeanor and appearance can help you in your interactions, cowing the weaker-minded or scared into helping or giving information.
Suggested Characteristics
You have learned to be self-reliant, doing whatever is necessary for survival. The world is harsh and expediency is more important than others' feelings.
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I'm not shamed by running away when necessary. Sometimes, it's better to live to fight another day. |
| 2 | I hoard things I might think are of future use. Charity is for the weak. |
| 3 | I'll eat anything. ANYTHING. What, you've never had roasted Piercer before? |
| 4 | I'm very direct in expressing my opinions and viewpoints, even if it offends others. |
| 5 | I get enjoyment from the life's small pleasures. They are what keeps one going day to day. |
| 6 | I always have my weapons by my side. Danger can appear at a moment's notice. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | I will do what's necessary for personal success or survival, no matter the cost or consequences. (Chaotic) |
| 2 | I live by a peciliar code of honor that I try to rigidly adhere to. If I am in debt to others, I will pay back that debt. (Lawful) |
| 3 | I want to help others who have suffered as I have. No one should share my fate. (Good) |
| 4 | I feel no remorse when it comes to comitting transgressions of blasphemies. If it gets me ahead in life, I'll do it. (Evil) |
| 5 | If there is a place for me in this new world, I want to find it. (Any) |
| 6 | If there is knowledge to be learned in the world above, I want to learn it. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I left my family behind in the Underdark and worry about what became of them. |
| 2 | I carry a figurine, amulet, or other item around with me wherever I go, a last reminder of my home. |
| 3 | There are a number of people that have wronged me and I will have my vengeance. |
| 4 | Someone or something from down in the Underdark is after me. Will my troubles follow me to the surface? |
| 5 | There is something I seek. Something that started me on my journey. I must find it. |
| 6 | There was someone who helped me when I first came to the surface. I would do anything to repay them. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I see the worst in people and have trouble giving my trust. |
| 2 | The ocean scares me: all that empty space, all that water! |
| 3 | My personal hygiene...isn't the best. |
| 4 | I immediately think less of those who were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. |
| 5 | I have an imaginary friend I sometimes talk to, even in front of others. |
| 6 | My first thought in any situation is how to exploit it. |
Previous Versions
| Name | Date Modified | Views | Adds | Version | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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10/20/2019 4:30:00 PM
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1050
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70
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1.0
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Coming Soon
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Posted May 14, 2020The flavour and writing of this is fantastic (you'd be surprised by how many of these homebrews feel like the person has never picked a D&D background), but maybe change the equipment to not include an explorer's pack? Almost every class has access to a pack of some kind (meaning that if picking equipment by class and background, you'll more than likely double up on all those items). In addition, by adding the explorer's pack, the monetary value of this background's equipment is practically triple that of every other sourcebook background. Maybe change it to be a bullseye lantern (good for shining a beam of light at sun-sensitive creatures) and some oil, or maybe a hunting trap? Also, maybe add a "defining event" for an escaped slave, to justify any race on the list picking this background.