Outcast (5e Background)

Outcast

You were once a cherished member of your family or clan, steeped in the traditions and rhythms of your community's way of life. However, circumstances beyond your control led to your exile, shattering the bonds that once tied you to your kin. You now wander alone, a solitary figure haunted by memories of warmth and belonging, yet forever marked by the sting of rejection.

Skill Proficiencies: Choose two skills from: Sleight of Hand (DEX), Stealth (DEX), Perception (WIS) and Survival (WIS)

Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set of your choice

Languages: One language of your choice

Equipment: An outcast's pack (includes a backpack, a lamp, a flask of oil, an empty flask, 5 days of rations, a set of traveler's clothes, one piece of chalk, a blanket and a bedroll), a trinket from your childhood, one type of gaming set, a set of common clothes and a pouch containing 10gp

Reason for Outcasting

d6	Reason for Outcasting
1	I was born a different species to the rest of my family. They thought I was too strange to be their child.
2	I committed a terrible crime that shocked my community, and they banished me as a result.
3	I possessed a unique and powerful ability that frightened my community, causing them to exile me to protect themselves.
4	I fell in love with someone from a rival group, and my community forced me to leave because of it.
5	I challenged the authority or traditions of my community, leading them to cast me out as a troublemaker.
6	I discovered a dark secret about my community's leaders, and they outcasted me to keep their secret hidden

Feature: Echoes of the Past

Though cast adrift from your former life, echoes of your past still resonate within you. Your experiences have honed your instincts, granting you a keen awareness of human nature and the ability to charm your way into the graces of others. You can often talk your way into receiving hospitality, whether it's a warm meal or shelter for the night.

Suggested Characteristics

d8	Personality Trait
1	I can find common ground between the fiercest of enemies, recognizing the shared humanity that binds us all.
2	I'm convinced that people are always trying to steal my secrets, leading me to guard my thoughts and actions closely.
3	I am incredibly slow to trust people, my past betrayal leaving me wary of opening myself up to potential harm.
4	My favor, once lost, is lost forever, leaving little room for forgiveness or reconciliation in my heart.
5	I judge people by their actions, not their words, for deeds speak louder than empty promises.
6	I have a strong sense of fair play and always try to find the most equitable solution to arguments, seeking justice above all else.
7	I sleep with my back to a wall or tree, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms, ever vigilant against the specter of danger.
8	I feel tremendous empathy for those who suffer, their pain a mirror of my own past struggles.

d6	Ideal
1	Respect. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their status or background. (Good)
2	Spite. Those who cast me out will rue the day they abandoned me, for I will rise above their petty cruelty and prove my worth. (Evil)
3	Fairness. No one should get preferential treatment before the rules, and no one is above the rules, ensuring justice for all. (Lawful)
4	Independence. I must prove that I can handle myself without relying on the kindness of others or the bonds of family. (Chaotic)
5	Belonging. I yearn to find a place where I am accepted and valued, a sanctuary from the loneliness that haunts me. (Neutral)
6	Aspiration. I'm determined to make something of myself, to rise above my past and carve out a new destiny for myself. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	I have a family, but I have no idea where they are. One day, I hope to reunite with them and mend the rift that tore us apart.
2	I would do anything for my newfound companions, for they are the closest thing I have to family now.
3	One day I will return home and prove that I am not the outcast they cast me as, but a hero worthy of their respect and admiration.
4	I hold onto my trinket from home as a talisman of hope, a reminder that no matter how far I roam, I am still connected to my past.
5	I owe everything to the person who took me in when I was cast out, their kindness a beacon of light in my darkest hour.
6	No one else should have to endure the hardships I've been through, and I will do whatever it takes to protect others from suffering as I have suffered.

d6	Flaw
1	I am suspicious of strangers and expect the worst of them, always waiting for the moment when they will betray me.
2	A scandal prevents me from ever returning home again, a stain on my honor that I cannot erase.
3	The people who knew me when I was young know my secret, a shameful truth that I dare not speak aloud for fear of rejection.
4	I have trouble trusting my allies, always second-guessing their motives and intentions.
5	My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning, a festering wound that poisons my soul and clouds my judgment.
6	I am extremely slow to make friends, my fear of rejection and abandonment driving others away before they have a chance to truly know me.

5.00

(2 votes)

---

Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Backgrounds