Heretic (5e Background)

Heretic

Opposed to the typical heretic, who only leads others astray, you hold the absolute truth. The sheeple of the mainstream may shun you, and others may try to hunt you, but you remain steadfast in the right. Were you declared apostate after damning revelations? Did your free-thinking anger those of a higher power? As of yet, your nonconformist ways have rendered you a virtual exile from your original position, but has not necessarily turned you into a publicly hunted fugitive.

Skill Proficiencies: religion and arcana

Languages: Abyssal, Infernal or Celestial, and one other language of your choice

Equipment: A change of fine clothes, belt pouch with 5gp, and a burned item or trinket of your choosing

Heresy Type

Heretics often have a religious connotation. However, there exist variations across other professions that were declared heretics for other reasons.

d4	Heretical Association
1	Political
2	Cult (Radical)
3	Church (Mainstream)
4	Poisoner of the Youth

Feature: Truth

You were enlightened with knowledge of absolute truth. You can easily find information on those you are aware of, who try to mislead you, as well as what information they tried to cheat you of. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found.

Alternate Feature: Hunted

There is no "grand revelation" you were exposed to, you simply believe something counter to the masses in a time when religion empowers tyrants and tyranny empowers ministers. In the event that one of the common folk learns your secret, you're likely to be arrested and executed. However, on the off chance that person is a member of the same cult as you, potentially as relayed by a secret sign, they are willing to give anything up to and including their life for you.

Suggested Characteristics

So what kind of heretic is there? They're not all crazy, that's for sure. Perhaps they were misled for being too gullible, or having too much optimism. Maybe they have goals of their own that stood against the ruling party's views, thus branding them an outcast.

d8	Personality Trait
1	Like a horse, I'm rather skittish.
2	I'm sure I'm right every time in a debate.
3	No one can hear the voices or see the signs but me.
4	I don't, can't, trust anyone.
5	Just keep quiet. The nail that sticks out the most is hit first.
6	I like to talk, talk, talk, talk about every little thing.
7	I enjoy deep, serious conversations and eschew trivial chatter.
8	I'm sure I've been chosen for greater things.

d6	Ideal
1	Salvation. Even if it's not right, I want to save everyone through my word. (chaotic)
2	Chaos. I'm tired of this complacent environment. Let's sow some discord! (chaotic)
3	Divine Will. The word of higher powers resides in me to spread.
4	Self. I won't be seen as a liar if I can get everyone to see things my way.
5	Society. I embody the voice of all those behind me.
6	Enlightenment. I seek the knowledge others have not the stomach for.

d6	Bond
1	Friends are a valuable thing to an outcast like me.
2	I was made an outcast by that certain person whom I must have revenge on.
3	My previous group of companions used me as a scapegoat.
4	My views cost me all that I had.
5	A certain person granted me this gift to spread the word among others.
6	If I can find anyone to accept my views, I will consider them close.

d6	Flaw
1	I am very impulsive and I leap before I think.
2	I lie compulsively and act like I know what I'm talking about.
3	I am a megaphone in speech and huge coward in practice.
4	I'm utterly horrible at judgment of other persons.
5	I can't stand being gazed at. It makes me uncomfortable.
6	Not a lot of people like to talk to me since I always address them condescendingly.

0.00

(0 votes)

---

Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Backgrounds