From a young age, you knew you would be a hero spoken of in legends. You dove into your studies, gave it your all. You did everything right. When you were ready, you set out from your home, knowing that when you returned, it would be with stories of your success.
Then it all went wrong.
Choose a disaster, an avoidable mistake, or some other blemish upon your character's history. Did they accidentally kill the princess they were sent to rescue? Did they burn down the village they planned to defend? Or did they just tick off the wrong noble by failing to bow low enough? Whatever happened, your burgeoning reputation is ruined, and your past will be a checkered one forever after. Some heroes are offered free drinks at every tavern they pass through. But you, you'll always prompt the question, "Hey, aren't you that idiot who...?"
A reminder: just as important as knowing what went wrong, is knowing why your character came back to adventuring. Do you have no marketable skills aside from fetch-quests? Are you an idealist who still wants to make a positive difference, no matter what people say? Or did you burn all your bridges when you left home and adventuring is literally all you have? Sometimes, finding a reason to keep going after a tragedy is just as important as surviving the tragedy itself, and that might give your character the extra depth you need.
- Skill Proficiencies: Insight, and one of History, Nature, Medicine, or Survival.
- Tool Proficiencies: Any one item from the list of Artisan's Tools.
- Languages: One language of your choice.
- Equipment: A map case containing a rough map of the surrounding area, a helpful list of local people you can trust (tragically outdated), a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp.
The tragic event in your past that turned you from an up-and-coming hero to... what you are now.
| d8 | How It All Went Wrong |
|---|---|
| 1 | That kobold you slew was the mayor's adopted child. Who knew? |
| 2 | Yeah, you killed the werewolf, but you came back with bites all over you and now nobody wants you around. The rumors have followed you ever since, unfounded or otherwise. |
| 3 | The beloved queen who sent you on your quest did it to frame you for the murder of her husband, whom she was cheating on. There's no evidence you did it, but it's the queen's word against yours. |
| 4 | You weren't at your post when the enemy army attacked. It's because you were kidnapped/on a more important mission/involved in a romantic tryst at the time, but that won't bring back the soldiers who died while you were gone. |
| 5 | You brought back the wrong magic ruby and now everyone thinks you're a jewel thief. |
| 6 | You fought the law and the law won. |
| 7 | Note to self: when fighting a troll in the cornfield that feeds the entire village, be more careful with fire. |
| 8 | You thought you had finally beaten one of the city's crime lords, until they brought out the high-level connections that kept them in power. Now everyone thinks YOU'RE the criminal. |
Not only did you spend your formative years preparing for a life of adventure, but you have some experience with the realities of adventuring life. At your DM's discretion, you may double your proficiency bonus on a skill check related to determining what you know about a given monster or category of monsters - be it weaknesses, natural habitat, or even just general rumors - representing either intense study, a relatively recent encounter (or near-death experience), or stories from a friend of a friend.
Suggested Characteristics
Disillusioned Adventurers were once just adventurer wannabes. Your personality might be why you decided to devote everything to this path in the first place, or it might have been influenced by your experiences out in the world. Your mannerisms and ideals were likely affected by the event that changed everything; either you abandoned what you once believed in, or you held to your old ideals even tighter. Your flaws might be what led to your downfall, but they're just as likely to be the result of mental or emotional trauma.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I take inspiration from a particular folk hero or legend, and model myself after them. |
| 2 | I have an inflated opinion about myself because everyone in my hometown thought I was destined for greatness. |
| 3 | I believe the world is unjust, but that we have an obligation to make justice of our own. |
| 4 | Nothing is ever as good as it seems. I'm always waiting for the other shoe to drop. |
| 5 | I compare every exciting situation to a similar one from folklore or from a story I've heard. |
| 6 | I am always surprised when I meet someone from a race or culture who doesn't conform to how they are portrayed in stories. |
| 7 | I always strive to set a positive example for others. Just because I have a bad day doesn't mean I should ruin someone else's. |
| 8 | I've met exemplars of my class or skillset, and have found that I much prefer the company of common folk. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Perseverance. Hardship builds character, and I've probably been through worse anyway. (Any) |
| 2 | Altruism. I got into this gig to make people's lives better, and that's what keeps me going. (Good) |
| 3 | Change. The system is broken, and if we want a better life, we have to work against the people in power. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Spite. When the world turns its back on you, you turn your back on the world. (Evil) |
| 5 | Community. I will go through any hell to keep society running smoothly. (Lawful) |
| 6 | Ambition. I won't be the perfect hero I thought I'd be, but I'll get into the history books one way or another. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I carry a legendary item used by a hero of the past. Even though it's broken/tarnished/dull/malfunctioning/no longer magical, it has symbolic meaning to me. |
| 2 | I can't/won't return to my hometown ever again. When my family hears of my deeds, I hope they remember me/regret mistreating me. |
| 3 | My failure was all because of a boy/girl I cared for. I resent them for it/love them despite it. |
| 4 | I owe a lot to the barkeep who gave me choice advice after picking me out of the ditch one too many nights in a row. |
| 5 | I failed my nation once. I won't do so again. |
| 6 | I will clear my name or die trying. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I lash out at others when something doesn't go my way. |
| 2 | I have an addiction/bad habit that I rely on to distract me from things in my past that I regret. |
| 3 | When one thing goes wrong, I'm quick to assume everything will go wrong. |
| 4 | I always assume I'm the smartest/most competent person in the room. |
| 5 | When someone has heard of me, I assume it's for the worst reasons. |
| 6 | I'm a sucker for money/magic items/a pretty face. Everything else comes second, including my personal safety and reputation. |
Comments