Almost the Chosen One (5e Background)
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Almost the Chosen One
Thousands of years ago a prophecy in your kingdom foretold of a great evil rising to power and of a great good that would vanquish that evil. It was said that that person would be born under the right combination of stars, with the right hair color, the right eye color, and a birthmark in one specific place. Sadly your older twin is the one with the birthmark, not you. This left you with a life of being ignored. Maybe your parents still loved you for who you were but the country had no care as to what you would do with your life, leaving you to teach yourself. Still everything you ever did was overshadowed by your older sibling. Did they do this on purpose? Were they intentionally trying to make you look bad to make everyone love them more, or was it simply the nature of who they were that caused them to be in the way of every step you made? Were your parents always supportive of you despite you not becoming the great good that would vanquish evil, were they extra hard on you so that you could still have a life of meaning, or did they cast you aside, allowing you to do whatever you pleased because they had already given up hope of you achieving anything? How many times have you pretended to be your sibling in order to get favors, or maybe just feel the love that they are given? Whatever the case you grew up with much hatred and resentment in your heart, did you pursue a holy life to try to purge you of this hatred or did you embrace it, seeking to bring about the evil your sibling was fated to destroy, only to murder your sibling after it has been achieved?
Skill Proficiencies: Stealth (no one is looking anyway) and Deception
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise Kit (good), Forgery Kit (Neutral), Thieves' Tools (Evil)
Languages: Any One
Equipment: Common Clothes; 1 days rations; 1 water skin; Disguise Kit, Forgery Kit, or Theives' Tools depending on proficencies
Reasons for Running Away[edit]
Are you chasing your sibling's shadow, or running away from your emotionally abusive family? Choose one, or roll for it.
| d8 | Motivation |
|---|---|
| 1 | You are going to assist your sibling in any way possible to help them defeat the evil. |
| 2 | An oracle told you that you also have the potential to defeat the darkness, so you set out to vanquish it first. |
| 3 | Your love interest has abandoned you for your sibling. So you plan to abandon everyone else. |
| 4 | Your parents told you to start paying rent or leave. |
| 5 | You were just bored. |
| 6 | You went off to join your sibling, or to forge your own path, using the family name for your benefit. Glory by association. |
| 7 | You've endured too much abuse, negligence, or un-favoritism, and you've had enough. |
| 8 | You hate your sibling and their undeserved fame, glory, and "gifts". You'll give them what they deserve, one way or another. |
Feature: Sibling of the Chosen One[edit]
Due to the status of your sibling, people don't look in your direction if your sibling is near. Everyone is too awestruck by your sibling, and, to be blunt, don't give two flying chamber pots about you. However, you can get certain things for free, like whatever you can get your hands on while no one is looking. Sometimes you can even get a free room or service by promising the Chosen one will visit an establishment. If you're lucky, you can even pass yourself off as the chosen one. Just watch out for complications and consequences.
Characteristics[edit]
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am persistent, even if I fail I will keep trying until I get it right. |
| 2 | I have to do something that no one has ever done before to prove my worth. |
| 3 | When people talk to me I assume they are talking to someone else and sometimes ignore them completely. |
| 4 | I often pretend to be my sibling. I have my reasons. Yes they're legit! No it is not weird! |
| 5 | I complain too much too often about too many things. |
| 6 | I automatically assume that everyone is better than me at everything. |
| 7 | Having no self esteem, I will needlessly put myself in dangerous situations when I think it will protect someone else. |
| 8 | I don't know how to talk about anything other than my sibling. I am the #1 fan of the chosen one. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Control: One day, I'll make the world see that prophecies are meaningless; I control my destiny. (Any) |
| 2 | Equality: Those in power, like my sibling, should not overlook those who are weaker, like myself. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Sidekick: I will help protect everyone to make things easier on my sibling. (Good) |
| 4 | Isolationism: I want to explore the world without living in my sibling's shadow. (Neutral) |
| 5 | Adventure: I will try everything at least once, since I haven't had the chance before. (Chaotic) |
| 6 | Villain: I will destroy my sibling, or the world if I have to. Then I'll finally prove they're not so great. (Evil) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I want to usurp my sibling and take their place. Whatever the cost. |
| 2 | Mortals suck, only gods are cool and reliable. |
| 3 | I will be an asset and a great companion to anyone willing to see me for me. |
| 4 | Animals and/or objects are more reliable than people, and they're great listeners. |
| 5 | I can't let my companions find out how uncool I actually am. I gotta make sure everyone sees me as very cool. |
| 6 | My parents have loved and supported me more than anyone else, and I will make them proud. |
| d8 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I will sacrifice my health and wellbeing if it means training to be better than my sibling. |
| 2 | I actually think I am the chosen one and will act accordingly. |
| 3 | People that I think are better than me are nigh insufferable and intolerable. |
| 4 | I will desperately pursue adventure or fame if it means showing up my sibling. |
| 5 | I secretly have deep attractions and feelings for my sibling, and they are a part of what motivates me to do what I do. |
| 6 | My anxiety because of my sibling has lead to a massive drinking or drug problem I can't kick. |
| 7 | I will accept any kind of challenge if it makes me seem better than my sibling. |
| 8 | I'm cowardly and often find myself running from danger, cracking under pressure, and unable to stand up for myself. |
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