Regime of the Dark Overlord (5e Background)
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Regime of the Dark Overlord
You grew up in the bloodthirsty regime of the world’s most tyrannical overlord. Trapped in a hellish domain, your family existed without hope or faith. Although you escaped, by night you suffer nightmares of torture and imprisonment. When you awaken, you realize those weren’t nightmares, but rather memories of your suffering.
Skill Proficiencies: Stealth, Insight
Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan’s tools
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A quarterstaff, a set of common clothes, a homemade talisman to ward off evil, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp
Feature: Social Invisibility
You perfected the art of avoiding notice and never drawing attention. When someone first meets you, they later struggle to recall your appearance, your voice, or anything significant about you. Likewise, you blend into a crowd, making it difficult for pursuers to identify you.
Suggested Characteristics
Those who escape the Regime of the Dark Overlord often fall into two personality types: those strengthened by their experiences, and those forever scarred by them. Either way, individuals from this regime understand how brutal, dangerous, and unforgiving the world can be. They understand how to endure, when to hide, and how to fight when cornered. A survivor of this domain often carries a perpetually haunted look in his eyes.
d4 | Personality Trait |
---|---|
1 | I hate being the center of attention, and I don’t like to be noticed. |
2 | Nothing fazes me. Once you’ve survived my homeland, everything else seems quaint by comparison. |
3 | Everywhere I go, I scope out the nearest escape routes. |
4 | I abandoned everyone I ever loved. I will never do so again. |
d4 | Ideal |
---|---|
1 | Survival. If you stop fighting, then you’ve let the villains win. (Neutral) |
2 | People. I’ll protect my friends, but I don’t believe in causes. (Neutral) |
3 | Rebellion. We must liberate the enslaved and overthrow their masters. (Good) |
4 | Strength. Strength and power are everything. Without strength, you are helpless to protect yourself. With it, you can dominate those around you first. (Evil) |
d4 | Bond |
---|---|
1 | Nothing would ever convince me to abandon my allies. |
2 | I swore to those who helped me escape I would return and save them. |
3 | I swear to destroy the overlord and free my land. |
4 | I have seen how true evil corrupts a kingdom. I will not allow it to spread here. |
d4 | Flaw |
---|---|
1 | I am both a pessimist and a fatalist. |
2 | I do what I’m told out of habit. |
3 | Hurting people to get what I want doesn’t bother me. |
4 | When bloodshed begins, my first instinct is to hide. |
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