You are a survivor of an extremely traumatic event. Whether this happened early in your life or more recently is up to you. Regardless, this harrowing experience has changed you in many ways. In terms of roleplaying, speak to your DM about how this trauma has effected your character and changed them (such as potential symptoms of trauma). You should also discuss what triggers may cause your character to suffer flashbacks (i.e. A creature who looks similar to that of the one who caused the trauma. Or a location that reminds your character of the event, such as a destroyed village). Below are a list of examples of some symptoms of trauma:
- Being easily startled or frightened.
- Always being on guard for danger.
- Self-destructive behaviour.
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating.
- Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behaviour.
- Overwhelming guilt or shame.
- Flashbacks or nightmares of the event.
Hypervigilance: Your trauma has put you in a state of hypervigilance, causing you to always be on the lookout for threats. You gain the following benefits:
- Increase your Wisdom score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
- You gain advantage on initiative rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks.
Flashback: Your trauma has also had a deeply negative impact on your mind and body. You suffer from the following flaws:
If you come into contact with something that reminds you of your traumatic event, you must make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save you become paralysed by fear experiencing flashbacks of the event. You are Stunned and Frightened for 1 minute. While Frightened, you must take the Dash action and move away from the source of the fear by the safest available route on each of your turns, unless there is nowhere to move. You can repeat this saving throw at the end of each of your turns, ending the effects on a success. You must roll to end each effect separately.
An ally may attempt to help end these conditions using the Help action on their turn, if successful you may roll each saving throw with advantage. It is up to the DM's discretion whether they are successful or not.
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