Darkness presses in from all sides, and ordinary men and women sometimes make desperate choices to survive. Some may strike bargains with archdevils to save them from impending doom; secluded villages may sacrifice to the Fey to ensure good hunting so they’ll survive winter; a desperate lover or family member may embrace the powers of shadow. Forces from beyond the world make their power known, and generations later a child otherwise unremarkable for her race still bears the taint of a fiendish dalliance. You are touched by that darkness, whether from a bargain struck out of necessity or from a trace of fiendish blood in your ancestry.
- Equipment: An idol or token marking the dark power from your history, a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp.
Creatures of darkness know their own, and they can sense the touch upon you. While this recognition is not enough to save you from the foul creatures that move through the world’s shadows, it can buy you time. Fiends, dark fey, and undead might be willing to talk to you instead of attacking, at least briefly. In some cases you may be able to negotiate or bribe your way out of a fight against a creature of darkness, provided it wasn’t murderously hostile toward you initially.
This recognition cuts both ways; sometimes creatures of darkness may seek you out, sensing a kindred spirit even if you want nothing to do with them, and the servants of goodness and light may find you unsettling. It may be difficult to secure the trust of good creatures that sense the taint upon you.
Suggested Characteristics
Darklings arise from all walks of life. Some embrace the seed of evil inside them, facing the world with cruelty and greed. Others are horrified at the shadow that creeps along in their wake and strive to make up for the stain on their past. These darklings can become the epitome of virtue.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m overly sensitive and tend to take innocent comments the wrong way. |
| 2 | I don’t trust others easily. I know better than most that looks are deceiving. |
| 3 | I try to see the good in everyone. We all deserve the benefit of the doubt. |
| 4 | I don’t like being outside after dark. I can hear whispers in the night air. |
| 5 | I’m always on the lookout for other people like me. |
| 6 | I feel more at home in dim, enclosed spaces. |
| 7 | I tend to blow up when provoked, especially if someone comments on my heritage. |
| 8 | I have no use for people who put blind faith in gods. The meddling of outer beings does more harm than good. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ambition. I want to rise above my beginnings and be a person of consequence. (Any) |
| 2 | Free Will. I won’t be defined by anything but myself. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Greed. I deserve more than I have, and I’ll use any means to ensure that I get it. (Evil) |
| 4 | Solidarity. I always stick by those who’ve proved themselves. No one should have to endure alone. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Perseverance. I won’t let the shadow on my nature steer my fate. I am more than the darkness of my past. (Good) |
| 6 | Survival. If the evil that follows me can help me endure, I’ll use it to my advantage. (Neutral) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m searching for lost lore to purge the darkness from my soul. |
| 2 | A powerful creature of darkness gave me a command, and I will work to fulfill it to secure my reward. |
| 3 | I put strong faith in a good deity in the hope of finding the light. |
| 4 | I’ve done horrible deeds, but I’m trying to redeem myself. |
| 5 | I fled from my family because of their dark worship, and they’re still searching for me. |
| 6 | I am currently the last of my corrupt line, but I hope to change that. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m nervous around holy places and do my best to avoid them. |
| 2 | I feel a strong draw toward some manner of dark creature (choose one such as fiends or undead), and I’m worried that others will find out. |
| 3 | I embraced my dark nature once, and someone close to me died because of it. |
| 4 | I’ll do anything to avoid the darkness stalking me, even if I must sacrifice friends or loved ones to do it. |
| 5 | I let my desire to achieve good ends blind me to any harm caused by my methods. |
| 6 | A powerful warrior of light believes I will bring great darkness into the world, and has vowed to stop me. |
Comments