Darkness Incarnate (5e Background)
Darkness Incarnate[edit]
Your magical power was what defined you. It allowed you to be who you were. But who were you exactly? A powerful adventurer fighting evil creatures (or perhaps not only such) for gold? A student of the arcane, trying to uncover secrets that are beyond most? Perhaps a high priest of some deity or a druid devoted to protecting nature? Whatever your life might have been, it is gone now - alongside your magical power. But how did you lose it? Was your connection to magic severed by a dark ritual or curse? Maybe you did something to offend your deity or dark patron and your power was taken from you as punishment? What's even more important is how you dealt with the new situation. Did you try to find a new source of power, by any means necessary, or did you accept your fate and decided to settle for a more normal, boring life? Did anything change since then?
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Arcana, Intimidation, Religion, or Stealth
Tool Proficiencies: None
Languages: Deep Speech or Abyssal
Equipment: A black orb that fits in one's palm. The orb has mystical properties and it can only be destroyed by the one who made it or by overcoming the darkness within the orb, ragged common clothes, and a pouch containing 6 silver pieces.
Orb of Darkness Origins[edit]
| d6 | Orb of Darkness Origin |
|---|---|
| 1 | This orb was a gift granted by a chaotic or evil deity you know. |
| 2 | You bought this orb at a strange shop, as you love collecting strange trinkets. |
| 3 | You found this orb discarded in a dark, decrepit alley. You picked it up, thinking you may be able to pawn it off. |
| 4 | This orb was given to you by a strange person. The person clearly had lost their mind and was talking gibberish. |
| 5 | This orb was a curse bestowed upon you by some ethereal force. |
| 6 | Wait I have an orb? |
Feature: What Dwells Within[edit]
The sphere you carry contains an overwhelming demonic presence. The dark presence is considered terrifying by many people, and animals are inclined to run away from you. On the other hand, those with similar presences and those connected to evil are drawn to you. Those with a dark or demonic presence are more inclined to help you, going as far as to provide you basic shelter and food. They may even fight alongside you, but they will never risk their life for you. Those without such a presence are always anxious around you, which makes it easier to frighten them, whether for gain or for fun, giving you advantage on Intimidation checks against them. These people are more willing to leave you be when you perform questionable deeds, as they feel their life could be on the line.
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I'm apathetic all the time |
| 2 | I'm always cheery and in a good mode. |
| 3 | I'm arrogant, hot headed, and always ready to fight. |
| 4 | I'm super energetic and ready to move. |
| 5 | I act normal for the most part, but I can be absolutely terrifying |
| 6 | I love to boast about how fantastic I am |
| 7 | I'm always a downer, and make others around me depressed. |
| 8 | Wait what was I doing again? I forgot. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | I seek to destroy this world with my darkness (Evil) |
| 2 | Nothing is safe. This world was made for chaos (Chaotic) |
| 3 | I won't let the darkness control me. (Good) |
| 4 | I can let the darkness run through me, as long as I don't break the law (Lawful) |
| 5 | Meh. I don't care about the darkness (Neutral) |
| 6 | Wait, where is this well of darkness coming from? (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I hold onto the orb, as I find it important for some strange reason |
| 2 | I love my orb and the darkness from it drives me |
| 3 | I hate this orb with every fiber of my being |
| 4 | I find the orb intriguing, and I wish to study it more. |
| 5 | I couldn't care less about the orb. |
| 6 | Orb? What Orb? |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I take forever to come up with plans. |
| 2 | I get along horribly with others. Rocks have better social skills than me. |
| 3 | I'm too trusting of others, especially those I am fond of. |
| 4 | I have a horrible, revolting habit that I must not break. |
| 5 | I cannot help but lie if I feel pressured. |
| 6 | If I don't get my morning coffee, I snap at everything and everyone. |
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