Shadow (5e Background)
Shadow[edit]
"Shadows are the lower parts of the psyche everyone has... Suppressed human thoughts given physical form. When people are unable to face their darker selves, they break loose, free from all control. But sometimes, humans with special awareness can tame their Shadows... Those are Persona-users."
- However, not everyone is lucky enough to become a Persona-user.
Shadows are born from humanoids, and share their emotions, which are mostly negative. These shadow selves represent the worst aspects of who they came from, whether it be teacher or highschooler, hero or horror, the shadow version of themself will always represent their worst and most atrocious qualities. And be blunt and straightforward with it along the way. If you choose to become a shadow, there will be some things that happen to your character. First, your eyes become yellow. Second, due to you lack of understanding as to why creatures keep secrets, you have permanent disadvantage to deception checks. Third, the actual you exists somewhere, someplace. But you are essentially another entity, that only shares appearance, voice, and the worse qualities of.
- If however, you are ever to actually find your normal self, you are to torment them and essentially chastise them for every single action and behavior that isn't acceptable that they've ever done. This may sound extreme, but some aspects of us are truly despicable if you ever come to think about it. Not only that, you being the blunt and worse version of them must reveal that you are the same person. If they accept that you are, you torment them slightly less. If they deny you, you must fight them.
Skill Proficiencies: Two of your choice.
Tool Proficiencies: One of your choice.
Languages: One of your choice.
Equipment: A set of common clothes, a lavish outfit, and a trinket highly regarded by your normal self.
Feature: Humanity's Lowest[edit]
You represent the true self of who you are. No lies, deceptions, or convolutions to hide the way you really think and feel. Your actions are as such too. However, this makes you keenly aware to the behavior of others as well, and you are able to tell people's alignments after speaking to them yourself.
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
Although shadows are worse versions of people, they are still people. They can still be unique and great people, but more often then not, they are still just the twisted and strangely truthful people they are.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | My job over all. Whatever I am good at, I'm good at that. It doesn't matter if someone is better at it, me being good at it is good enough for me. |
| 2 | I consider myself a comedian. To me, my jokes are funny. And I enjoy cracking the occasional one too. |
| 3 | I prefer to spend my downtime studying and enriching myself. |
| 4 | Even if I am a semi-mythical creature of confusing origin, I still need to eat, and very much enjoy doing so. |
| 5 | Celebrating a job well done is something I just have to do. |
| 6 | I'm perfectly happy showing someone up. I think it's entertaining. |
| 7 | I have a part of my routine I always follow, and will see to continue following. |
| 8 | I'm not sociable and usually dislike interaction. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Monarch. I'm above all others! With this power, I reign supreme! (Evil) |
| 2 | Thief. I'll steal the truth of those who hide behind masks! (Good) |
| 3 | Cognition. The world is the way I perceive it. No more, no less. (Lawful) |
| 4 | Liberation. I'll mold the world into the one I want. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Shadow. This form is only one facet of me. I am who I am, and thus I shall be. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Rebellion. I'll fight back against those who keep me in chains! (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I trust none, other people are a waste of time. |
| 2 | There's someone who I fight for, besides myself of course. |
| 3 | My team members and friends make much more possible, I trust them well. |
| 4 | Someone made my life a living hell. I'm going to make them pay for my misery. |
| 5 | I despise my actual self and the actions they have done. But, I have a strange sympathy for other people, as if out of spite... |
| 6 | I have someone I look up to. They keep me motivated to further my goals. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I can't say no to a valuable treasure. |
| 2 | Confidence is something I have in spades, often to my detriment. |
| 3 | There are other passions that distract my mind and heart. |
| 4 | I have a dark secret that I'll gladly tell anybody. |
| 5 | I'm an blunt loudmouth and it tends to get me in trouble. |
| 6 | There's something I have done that I dislike myself for. |
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