Heir of a Fallen Kingdom (5e Background)
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Heir of a Fallen Kingdom[edit]
You were once part of a royal family but through some circumstances your family's kingdom fell. You were in line to the throne before the fall of your domain. You still carry the legacy of your kingdom.
Skill Proficiencies: History, Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies: One type of musical instrument
Languages: One standard language of your choice
Equipment: A set of royal garbs, your family crest, a golden crown, your chosen musical instrument, and a satchel containing 25 gp
Kingdom's Fall[edit]
Your kingdom fell before you could become the ruler. Your kingdom fell to a tragedy. Choose how it fell, or roll how on the Kingdom's Fall table.
| d10 | Kingdom's Fall |
|---|---|
| 1 | A siege on your kingdom lead to its fall. |
| 2 | A natural disaster destroyed most of the kingdom, causing an economic collapse. |
| 3 | A group of assassins killed everyone in the royal family, but you escaped. |
| 4 | The reigning monarch became corrupt and greedy. Their greed blinded them into making a deal with an evil beast, which lead to the destruction of your kingdom. |
| 5 | A hired group of mercenaries your family sent on a quest came back with a dragon chasing them. The dragon attacked and destroyed the kingdom. |
| 6 | A rival kingdom declared war and defeated your army. |
| 7 | The kingdom was overthrown democratically, and then a political puppet was put in charge. |
| 8 | A festival-turned-disaster caused your royal family to accumulate great debt, and lead to your kingdom's fall. |
| 9 | One day, everyone in the whole kingdom and their valuables, except you, vanished mysteriously. |
| 10 | You were too young when your kingdom fell, but you were rescued and raised by an old family friend. |
Feature: Royal Influence[edit]
Because of your royal class, people think of you as a natural leader. You are welcome in the high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk makes every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure. Other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. The most poor of the common folk think worse of you and blame their economic problems on the crown.
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
Heirs of Fallen Kingdoms act differently because of both their economic class and tragic upbringing. They mostly keep to themselves for they don't know if anyone could be trying to kill them, the last link to their royal family.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | The history of my olden kingdom enchants everyone that hears it. |
| 2 | The common folk admire me for my endurance and survival of my kingdom's fall. |
| 3 | People are sometimes too distracted by beauty to really know me. |
| 4 | I still am very active in the political world and am somewhat of a trendsetter. |
| 5 | I like looking good while I do what I do. |
| 6 | I am empathetic towards those who have lost and try to help them. |
| 7 | I never forget anyone or how they have affected me and my family. |
| 8 | Every being who was against my kingdom is an enemy. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. Respect is due those who respect me. I expect everyone to be respectful of each other. (Good) |
| 2 | Reliability. Those who live under authority are responsible for following the rules, and so am I. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Codependency. I must help those who can't help themselves, even if they don't know it. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Legacy. Legacy. My legacy is more important than anything else in the world. (Evil) |
| 5 | Dedication. Dedication. I must honor my fallen family. Everything I do is for them. (Any) |
| 6 | Royal Heritage. My goal is to rebuild my kingdom, for my family. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I do anything to uphold the honor of my family. |
| 2 | My family's business ties must remain intact. |
| 3 | A friend of my family is a friend of mine. |
| 4 | I'm in love with a person of lower class. |
| 5 | I hold my relationship with my former and future subjects with high regard. |
| 6 | I'm the light for those who have lost. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ghosts of my family haunt me at night but no one believes me. |
| 2 | I secretly was the reason my whole kingdom fell. |
| 3 | I can't help but go into a blind rage when someone dishonors my family. |
| 4 | I cannot adjust to a common lifestyle and find myself manipulating or commanding others. |
| 5 | Anyone could be a traitor of the crown who is out to get me. |
| 6 | I rather be alone, for I cannot stop insulting those around me. |
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