Your parents were killed in a horrible fashion or taken by a plague when you were a young child. You were traumatized deeply by witnessing this and beyond the horrors this has left on your mind, you found all walks of your life difficult. You know the world of murder, theft, and violence inside and out as you went cold to the world. You may have lived on the streets, have been taken in by criminals, or if you were one of the lucky ones you may have been adopted by a family or caravan. As you leave on your journey, however that may happen, there is a deep need to choose one person around you to attach to. You may begin to see that person as your parent.
- Skill Proficiencies: Choose between Survival, Medicine, or Religion. Choose between Insight and Investigation.
- Tool Proficiencies: You may choose between a Forgery Kit, Disguise Kit, or Thieves' Tools. You also have a Gaming Set of your choice.
- Languages: You have learned additional languages to aid in your survival. One common language, one dark language, and one language of a rare or enemy race.
- Equipment: You carry a bedroll, a torch, a set of common clothes, a pouch containing 20 gp, and a lantern-flail
Tragedy
Tragedy struck, leaving you an orphan. This will forever haunt you, and the weight of witnessing the event has left you traumatized. You have flashbacks to the moment you lost your parents and should you encounter a situation like that again, you will have to work through the mental scarring to properly assess the situation and be of any use. Choose what this horrific event was, or roll one on the Tragedy table.
| d6 |
Tragedy |
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1
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A horde of dragons found your village, your parents joined in the fight to stop them and were burned to death. You could see this from your bedroom window.
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2
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Your father was secretly a criminal who had accidentally learned too much, he along with your mother committed suicide to hide the dark secret. They did not see you on the stairs when they did.
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3
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A horrible plague swept through your village, you were quarantined for your safety but you could hear your parents coughing, gagging, and groaning from the suffering. You grew used to it, until the day the house went silent.
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4
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You and the other children of your village were sectioned off to one building during a raid, the explosive blasts that followed left your village in ruins. You survived, but you seem to be the only one.
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5
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Your village was attached by cleric and paladins of a holy goddess of light, they massacred your parents and others by execution in the central square. You hid well enough to survive. You had no idea your race was evil.
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6
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The illness took everyone around you so quickly, you never had the chance to really understand what it was. Your parents were the last to die. You don't know how you didn't catch it too. You do, however, have your mother's alchemy book.
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Feature: Innocent Child
You are met with an 'Oh, poor child' mindset from anyone older than you. They will see you as weak and needing of care and protection no matter your status, skill, or level. You will often receive free food and clothes, and places like inns will take you in for a far cheaper price. You can use being underestimated to your advantage in many cases, especially in battle. You will be taken as innocent first in all situations, allowing you easier opportunities for thieving and destruction without facing consequences. When you choose to attach to someone, they will feel a fierce drive to be responsible for you, your care, and your safety that they cannot ignore. They will see themselves as your parent long before you do. Be wise with this attachment as the person you choose will do anything for you, up to dying to keep you safe in battle. Should you die instead, they will face severe and irreversible psychological damage that will change them. If they blame themselves for your death, they will give anything to attempt to save you. You will become this person's life, and they yours. This is incredibly dangerous if used wrong, so use caution.
Suggested Characteristics
Your life changed forever the day you were orphaned, and who you were destined to become shifted. Whether you fought for the light or fell to the dark remains to be seen.
| d4 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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I refuse to become a victim, and I will not allow others to be victimized.
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2
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I might die tomorrow, I might die today, I will live my life for myself as I wish knowing any moment could be my last.
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3
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Holiness is empty, those who serve gods and goddesses are weak and I will not weigh my life down with disgusting divinity.
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4
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I have to find reassurance in the arts to keep my sane, I fear every illness and danger around me no matter how small and the fleeting moments of joy are my hope.
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| d4 |
Ideal |
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1
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I try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good)
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2
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Research and disease efforts are my life's focus, even though the costs aren't always clean. (Neutral)
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3
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Death will come to others as death came to me, and I lead it by the hand. (Evil)
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4
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I am protected and cared for by someone I love dearly, no matter who they are or what they do I will do my all to be worthy of that. (Any)
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| d4 |
Bond |
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1
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I was separated from the 'parent' I chose to attach to, I will stop at nothing to return to them
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2
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I have a child to protect. I must make the world a safer place for them and be for them what my parents couldn't be for me.
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3
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I blame myself for being unable to help my parents or my people, I seek redemption for a sin that was not mine to bear
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4
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Darkness took over me at the death of those I loved, the death of others feeds me
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| d4 |
Flaw |
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1
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I have certain rituals that I must follow every day. I can never break them.
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2
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I can't be distanced from my chosen 'parent' without severely negative reactions
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3
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I feel no emotions of any kind and go through life empty
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4
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I can't trust anyone of the same race or class as those that killed my parents, regardless of who they may be or how they may treat me
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Contacts
An orphan will gain contact with one of three groups in every land they come across, the local nobility, the local criminal syndicate, or the local innkeeper. They would have heard of the horrible tragedy that killed your parents and be willing to offer help on some conditions.
| d3 |
Contact |
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1
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The local nobility can be contacted for assistance in many ways, from battle aid, to admittance to off-limits areas, to a place to stay - you must be of a Good or Neutral alignment
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2
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The local criminal syndicate can be called upon to assist with thieving, trespassing, and far worse crimes. They may also provide food and shelter, but it will be of lower quality - you must be of Neutral or Evil alignment
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3
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The local innkeeper will always provide you with a warm meal and a decent place to sleep, often free of charge, and can aid in communication throughout their village. They are more open to caring for your caravan as well. - you can be of any alignment
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Posted Feb 1, 2021OMG i love this idea! Is it okay is "the parents died as my character was a baby"? The way I want my character, they never even knew their parents.
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Posted Feb 3, 2021That's absolutely fine!
here's a custom tragedy for you
"Your parents died when you were too young to know them, your life began without the comfort of that connection. You often wonder what your parents may have been like, what childhood you may have had. This casts a shadow on your mind throughout your life."