Ancient King (5e Background)

Ancient King

At an ancient, perhaps long-forgotten point in history, you were a mighty ruler who lorded over your people, whether you were cruel or fair. Your name was known all across the land and your people prospered. But like all living things you eventually died, and were memorialised in a tomb. But now, for whatever reason you have risen again. Perhaps a necromancer rose you, or perhaps your patron god revived you for a certain purpose. But these lands are unfamiliar; the people, the environment, even the very ground beneath your feet may be different from how you remember. You had better get used to this new world quickly.

Skill Proficiencies: History, Survival

Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set

Languages: Two of your choice

Equipment: A set of fine clothes, an ancient signet ring of your dynasty, and a ragged purse containing 15 gp.

Feature: Ancient Thinking

Since you died so long ago, your way of thinking is unusual for these modern times. Perhaps you believe something long since proven wrong, like that Drow are Fiends formed from the bowels of the earth. Perhaps you don't value the same things that other people do, like believing knowledge is a useless pursuit when compared to something strange such as jousting with boulders. Or perhaps you believe something more esoteric, like that nothing truly happens in the world without spirits deciding it should happen. Let your imagination flow and think of something like that.

Alternate Feature: Ancient Knowledge

Since you died so long ago, you may know things that have been lost to time, like how to manipulate a certain form of magic, or why an ancient civilisation fell. Whatever you know, there may be people searching for that information at any cost.

Suggested Characteristics

As a ruler from times of old, your personality could vary greatly. Perhaps you're vengeful towards whatever led your kingdom to fall after you died, perhaps you feel relieved by the fact that so much time has passed and you can now do basically whatever you want, or maybe you just don't care either way about anything at all really.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I've lost my kingdom, leave me to mourn for what I have lost.
2	I don't need to care about anything anymore, my people have gone and I'm practically immortal now.
3	This world is new, and I want to explore it!
4	I ruled them once. So why don't people treat me the way I deserve!
5	My anger often gets the better of me. But how dare people live while I don't!
6	I am dignified in death, and have the patience only an undying ruler may have.
7	I experienced death, and I fear it. Because of this, I'm a coward.
8	There are new things to do in this world, and I want to do them all!

d6	Ideal
1	Conquest. My rule will return, no matter how many bodies it takes! (Evil)
2	Freedom. I've been gone for so long that I don't need to live up to any standards anymore. I can be whoever I want to be! (Chaotic)
3	Justice. Though my people may be gone, I still have to hold true to the ideal of a fair and just ruler. (Good)
4	Order. The world I know is different from this new one, it must be tamed. (Lawful)
5	Rebuilding. This world has changed, but I have to rebuild my life no matter the cost. (Neutral)
6	Exploiting. This world is one of opportunity, and I plan to take advantage of that. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	Whatever caused my people to be gone from this world will pay!
2	I need to find out what caused me to rise from my grave.
3	Something was stolen from my tomb, and I want it back!
4	I had a friend when I was alive, and I want to know what happened to them.
5	My people are gone from this world, and I will preserve their memory.
6	I had an old rival from another Kingdom who wronged me, I want to know what happened to him, and whether or not I'll be able to settle the score.

d6	Flaw
1	I believe I'm above everybody else, and that they don't even deserve to be in the same building as me.
2	My curiosity for this new world often gets me into trouble.
3	I often get distracted by thoughts of what could have happened to my Kingdom.
4	I'm slow to come up with or trust new ideas because of my age.
5	Whenever someone speaks of my kingdom in a bad light, I fly into a burning rage.
6	I am extremely superstitious, believing otherwise mundane things in a strange way, to ward off bad spirits and the like.

5.00

(one vote)

---

Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Backgrounds