Former Cultist (Recruiter)

You were once an obedient member of a religious cult. You may have been a follower of a dark god, demon, dragon, or just a power-hungry religious fanatic. You were not a priest or anyone in power—just one of the many recruiters. Somehow, you found it in you to free yourself from the blind servitude and saw the error of your ways.

Skill Proficiencies: Religion and either Persuasion or Deception

Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit or Disguise kit

Languages: One of the following based on who or what your cult worshipped: Abyssal, Draconic, Deep Speech, or Infernal

Equipment:  A sacrificial dagger (that you stole when you left), cultist robe, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp.

Suggested Characteristics

Former cultists are shaped by their experience within the cult. They have an intimate knowledge of their religion, and a solid, if slightly flawed, understanding of other religions as well.

d10	Personality Trait
1	I have learned to keep my mouth shut and eyes down if I want to survive.
2	I distrust any kind of organized faith and those who follow them.
3	I am so eager to put the past behind me that I fake being a happy outgoing person.
4	I always look for hidden meanings in everything.
5	I am paranoid that the old cult is out to get me.
6	I am quick to conform to the wishes of others.
7	I am indecisive as a result of always being told what to do and never making my own choices.
8	I am having second thoughts about my leaving the cult. I am afraid I could easily return to my old ways given the right circumstance.
9	I feel immense guilt over my past actions and welcome suffering as my atonement. I would gladly sacrifice myself to save someone else.
10	I suffer from sudden emotional breakdowns because of my constant feelings of shame, helplessness, and inferiority.

d8	Ideal
1	No one should go through what I did. (Chaotic)
2	I always look out for number one. (Neutral)
3	I strive to give those in despair a reason to keep going. (Good)
4	I must atone for my evil acts. (Good)
5	No one shall have power over me ever again. (Evil)
6	Dark cults are dealing with powers beyond their control and it is my duty to stop them. (Lawful)
7	The lives of men should not be ruled by anyone. No gods, no masters! (Chaotic)
8	What’s the point of anything? People are insignificant and their struggle is futile. (Neutral)

d8	Bond
1	When I left the cult, I took one of its relics with me. For some strange reason, I cannot part with it.
2	It breaks my heart to know that my close friend, lover or family member is still a loyal follower of the cult.
3	I cannot stand by and watch as more children and youths get turned into mindless fanatics or are exploited for someone else's personal gain.
4	No one must ever know about my involvement with the cult.
5	Someone else helped me get out of the cult; I owe that person my life.
6	I want to save those I recruited into the cult.
7	They were supposed to be sacrificed, I have helped them escape. Now I feel responsible for them.
8	I value my companions as the family I lost.

d6	Flaw
1	Sometimes, I hear voices in my head that command me to do terrible things. And sometimes, I give in.
2	I trance out and lose touch with reality. I am sometimes delusional or experience delirious states.
3	In the cult, they fed us drugs. I am still heavily addicted and I will do anything to get a dose.
4	I still secretly believe the doctrine of my old cult and know that I and this world are doomed.
5	I blindly follow anyone who takes authority.
6	I will sacrifice anything to stop the cult. Anything and anyone.