Heretic (5e Background)

Heretic

Throughout history, you have people that were declared witches, heretics, and whatnot. These people were persecuted for espousing things contrary to what was mainstream or reinforced by higher powers. Examples include Hypatia of Alexandria, Jerome of Prague, and even Joan of Arc. Such people believe and preach of things that others may not be receptive to, for it could be frightening, ahead of their time, even. Heretics will usually believe what they say fervently, holding it as the truth even if others cannot be convinced.

Opposed to the typical heretic, who only leads others astray, you surely 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.

Consider what is the heretical thing you believe in and espouse. Is it religious? Did you discover some blasphemous secret that could put the cosmology as we know it on its head? Perhaps your heresy is something mundane, like political slander. Maybe you know the truth about the governing body and some conspiracy surrounding the nobles. Your heresy can be even crazier, extending things like nature an existence itself. Work with your DM to decide what your heresy is and what, if any, effect it could have on the world if proven correct.

Skill Proficiencies: religion and arcana or History

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 defiled 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: You speak heresy against governing bodies and their affiliates.
2	Institution: You speak heresy against established institutions.
3	Faith: You speak heresy against the body of religion.
4	Tradition: You speak heresy against societal norms and accepted traditions.

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 tyranny over speech and thought is in vogue. 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 believer of what you espouse, 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.

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