Tragic Knight (5e Background)
Tragic Knight[edit]
A knight, after years of serving his noble household, fails to protect that which he holds dear. Branded a traitor, he runs to save his life and vows to uncover the truth and get his vengeance. In his pursuit to gain power by any means to redeem himself, he turns to darker places. Bit by bit, losing who he was and tarnishing his name and humanity. Those who know of the tale look at you with disdain, while some look on with sympathy. It doesn't matter,nothing anyone could ever say matters as your honor has been driven through the mud time and time again. All that matters is the truth...and vengeance.
Skill Proficiencies: Pick 2: History, Arcana, Insight
Tool Proficiencies: Thieves' Tools, Disguise Kit or Musical instrument.
Languages: Infernal and one language of your choice.
Equipment: a set of common clothes, a hooded cloak; 3 books about demons and devils; Pouch containing 15GP ; A Trinket from your tragic past
Feature: Tragic Past[edit]
After being disowned you have found kinship in the wretches and criminals of the cities. You can gain information from your many contacts, the infamous and those derelicts beneath notice. After your experiences gaining darker powers,you have gleaned information regarding the nature of demons and devils gaining insight into their basic characteristics (i.e. resistances, vulnerabilities, special abilities, and other information the DM may choose to disclose), revealing the extent of your knowledge can make people uneasy. Your story is known by many, commoners and nobles alike; whether spread by a bards solemn song, a storytellers grim tale, or as a result of your actions. Though your name has been removed from the records of these deeds, a few people still know of your past deeds and may even sympathize with you.
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
d8 | Personality Trait |
---|---|
1 | I can stare down a hell hound without flinching |
2 | My past speaks for itself, so I don't talk about it |
3 | Nothing feels better than putting a knife in someone's throat |
4 | I like to study how other people act, to see if they might be hiding secrets, like I am |
5 | I'm a born gambler who can't resist taking a risk for a potential payoff. |
6 | The events of your past traumatize you, and the phantoms of your past haunt your dreams |
7 | I hate it when people try to control me |
8 | I watch over my friends as if they were a litter of newborn pups |
d6 | Ideal |
---|---|
1 | Even if it meant walking through hell or laying siege to the heavens, my loyalty remains true |
2 | The sins of my past haunt me, and in turn I will haunt the sinners. |
3 | Emotions must not cloud our sense of what is right and true, or our logical thinking |
4 | There will always be crime. |
5 | help the people who help me-that's what keeps us alive |
6 | I'm loyal to my friends, not to ideals and that's all there is to it. |
d6 | Bond |
---|---|
1 | Even if I must become a monster, I am doing it for those I seek to protect |
2 | I will find redemption, even if it costs me everything. |
3 | I owe a debt I can never repay to the person who took pity on me |
4 | I miss the only person who I was fond of from my past. |
5 | My trinket is a symbol of my past life, and I carry it so that I will never forget my roots. |
6 | I wish my childhood sweetheart had come with me to pursue my destiny |
d6 | Flaw |
---|---|
1 | My obsession with the past has left me blind to the present. |
2 | I was once a knight, yet how far I've fallen. I can trust no one, not even myself. |
3 | Sometimes, I hear voices in my head that command me to do terrible things. And sometimes, I give in |
4 | I fail to comprehend why others cannot understand that my actions no matter how vile are in the end the only way to save them. |
5 | I have a weakness for the vices of the city, especially the brothel. |
6 | I am an alcoholic gambler. |
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