Eternal One (5e Background)
Eternal One[edit]
You are a creature that has lived for a very long time and you either know or you don't know about it. How did you become this eternal being? Were you cursed to freeze in time? Perhaps a vampire took the life from your body and now you live eternally undead. Maybe a deity granted you eternal life? Many seek the power of immortality. Whether you sought it out or it was placed upon you unwillingly you have it now. How recently did you receive your immortality? And what are you going to do with your now unlimited time?
Being an eternal one does not actually prevent you from dying in game. Most forms of immortality actually end upon death. In certain circumstances your body might move to a different plane to regenerate over many millennia.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from: Arcana, Deception, Religion, Survival, Nature, Persuasion or Perception.
Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan's tools, thieves' tools, gaming set, musical instrument, or kit.
Languages: Any two language of your choice.
Equipment: A small trinket that reminds you of something from long ago, a set of fine clothes, one tool you are proficient with, and a pouch containing 30 gp.
Immortality Feature[edit]
Due to your immortal nature, you require much less sleep than your typical mortal counterparts. Akin to the long lived Elves you enter a deep trance, remaining semiconscious for 4 hours a day. While in this trance, you can dream after a fashion as you reconnect yourself daily to the source of the immortal energies which gave rise to you. Such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflective through years of practice, regenerating your body and mind while rendering you immune to magical sleep and charm effects. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.
How did you receive your eternal life?
| d6 | Immortality |
|---|---|
| 1 | I made a deal with a Devil |
| 2 | I received it as a blessing for my service to my Deity |
| 3 | I made a wish on a magic genie lamp |
| 4 | I was turned into a Vampire |
| 5 | I dabbled in necromancy and attached my soul to an indestructible object |
| 6 | I spent too much time in the astral plane which caused my body to freeze in time |
Feature: Family Ancestry[edit]
As an immortal being that has existed for an exceptional period of time, you have started families all over the world and most know of your immortality. Because you have family all over the world almost any city you go to you can find a descendent of yours that would be willing to assist you by providing lodging for a night or by acting as guide to places you may need to go to within the city.
Alternate Feature: Researcher[edit]
Only use this feature in a situation where you have just recently gained your immortality and have not lived for an extended period of time. When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, when you roll you gain advantage, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign.
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
There is no one right way to be immortal and not everyone receives immortality the same way and therefore there is no real suggested way to play an eternal one other than to mold it around how you gained your immortality.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am convinced that people are always trying to steal my secrets |
| 2 | I watch over my friends like they are a newborn |
| 3 | I often disregard time because it has no meaning to me |
| 4 | I have trouble finding people to care about, they all die so fast |
| 5 | I tend to get bored easily |
| 6 | I enjoy the bustling of cities because they make me feel alive |
| 7 | I look down on people because they don't have forever like me |
| 8 | I will do everything I can to help people when I can |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Selfless. My immortality was given so I can help those who need it (Good) |
| 2 | Greed. I have immortality but it's not enough (Evil) |
| 3 | No Limits. Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility inherent in all existence (Chaotic) |
| 4 | People. I'm loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I care (Neutral) |
| 5 | Aspiration. I seek to prove myself worthy of my god's favor by matching my actions against his or her teachings (Any) |
| 6 | Community. It is the duty of all civilized people to strengthen the bonds of community and the security of civilization (Lawful) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | Family is everything to me |
| 2 | I must abide by my god's teachings |
| 3 | I am ashamed of how I gained my immortality and no one must find out how it happened. |
| 4 | I have trouble trusting people |
| 5 | Common folk must see me as a hero among the people |
| 6 | I must keep my immortality a secret to the best of my ability |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I get bored easily |
| 2 | I am overconfident |
| 3 | I'm hedonistic, I've been practicing for centuries |
| 4 | I will abide by my god's teaching even if it means people suffer |
| 5 | I have a tendency to steal, what are they going to do lock me up? I have eternity |
| 6 | I will sooner eat my sword than admit when I am wrong |
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