Isekai (5e Background)

Isekai

You came to this world from another one altogether different, a world where magic and monsters are nothing more than bedtime stories for children, where heroes often fail, and where epic adventures are just a fantasy. You might be from another time, another planet, another dimension, or even from another multiverse. Whatever the case, these things are true: you are not where you belong, it was not your choice to come here, and you have no idea when or even if you will ever find your way home again.

Skill Proficiencies: Any two of the following: Deception, Intimidation, Performance, Persuasion

Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisans tools, one type of gaming set

Languages: Proficient with any two languages

Equipment: One set of plain clothes from your home world (For example: a tracksuit or a t-shirt), one trinket from your home world, 5 days of rations, and 15 gp

Feature: Sore Thumb

You're not from this world, and people quickly take note of it. Some take pity on you, thinking you to be some sort of stranded foreigner; while others seek to take advantage of you, scamming and robbing you at every turn. On a rare occasion, a great scholar or other extremely learned person will notice you for exactly what you are, seeking as much knowledge on your home world as possible. You are also known for being very open to making new friends, and having new experiences - you've already been displaced from everything you knew once and learned to adapt, new experiences are nothing.

Variant Feature: Alien, Yet Familiar

This world is not entirely unknown to you. Perhaps you read about it in a book that you thought was just fiction, or perhaps this new world is in fact your own world from the distant past. You already know a smattering of basic information about this world, including important persons, locations, and major events. At the DM's discretion this may even include information which is not public knowledge in this world, or which pertains to events which have yet to happen. This knowledge is never enough to give you any significant tactical or political advantage; for example, you may know that a major battle is coming soon and who will win, but you don't know any actual troop locations or battle plans. Also, at the DM's discretion, any information you think you know may turn out to be partially or entirely inaccurate.

Means of Arrival

Choose a means by which you came to your current world, or roll once on the following table to decide.

d8	Means of Arrival
1	The last thing I remember is dying. A deity or deities took pity, and gave me a second chance here.
2	I was working with an experimental vehicle, teleportation, or some other means of travel. Something went wrong, and it brought me here, right before breaking down for good.
3	I fell asleep reading a fantasy story in a dusty, old book. When I woke up, I was in the world the book described!
4	When I touched that ancient artifact, I was enveloped in a mysterious light. Then I was here.
5	I found a strange passage in a dark cave, an old well, the back of a wardrobe, or something else. I passed through and now I'm here.
6	I was called here by someone or something in this world, in order to do something no one from this world could do... be it good, or bad.
7	Someone from this world appeared in my own. Their dying act was to send me back here in their place.
8	I have no recollection of how I came to be here. I only know that I'm here now.

Suggested Characteristics

d8	Personality Trait
1	I get excited at even the simplest of magical items
2	I enjoy seeing the sights this world has to offer.
3	This world makes me feel like a god.
4	I find myself thinking about home.
5	I often talk about things that people in this world know nothing about.
6	I take things very seriously.
7	I've seen death's vistas, and don't want others to to see it too soon.
8	Getting to kill monsters is oddly cathartic.

d6	Ideal
1	Adventure Seeing things that I couldn't see at home is how I should spend my life. (Any)
2	Nostalgia I wish to return home soon. (Lawful)
3	Harems I wish for a bunch of cute boys/girls to fawn over me! (Chaotic)
4	Ambition This world needs a ruler. I will be that ruler! (Evil)
5	Salvation I will eradicate all evil in this world! (Good)
6	Survival These monsters are deadly. I must and will survive! (Any)

d6	Bond
1	A deity brought me here. I am forever grateful.
2	I see my old friends in these new ones.
3	These adventurers helped me. I must repay them in kind.
4	A noble helped me in my darkest hour in this world, renewing my faith in humanity.
5	I have my clothes as a permanent reminder of my home.
6	There is a little good in everyone. Maybe I can befriend them.

d6	Flaw
1	I am easily stopped by an attractive face.
2	I have a tendency to smile, even in the wrong ocassions.
3	Even thinking about a particular person from this world makes me angry.
4	The booze of this... this world is... so... good... I can... I can barely help... myself
5	I have a tendency to accept things as "Normal" for this world, even if they are jokes.
6	I come off as an arrogant prick sometimes.

5.00

(one vote)

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