Wielder of the Old One (5e Background)
Wielder of the Old One[edit]
You wield a sentient sword of great power. You may have fought a despicable foe to acquire it, or it was given to you by someone of importance. Whatever the case may be, you and this sword are now as one. Wherever you go, it goes, and you cannot imagine your life without it. What alignment is your sword, and what lies inside of it? What is your relationship with it; do you work together, or are you constantly in a battle of wills?
Skill Proficiencies: You are proficient in two of the following skills: intimidation, history, or survival.
Tool Proficiencies: Longswords, or a toolset of your choice.
Languages: Abyssal or Celestial, which your weapon shares with you
Equipment: One sentient longsword, one set of common clothes, 20gp.
Feature: The Great Old One[edit]
You are tied to a sentient longsword, an entity trapped within a weapon. While carrying this weapon, you and the entity can communicate telepathically in either Abyssal or Celestial, depending on what language the entity within shares with you.
Alternate Feature: Battle of Wills[edit]
Whatever the entity within is, it wants control. While carrying this longsword, once a day your weapon can force a contested charisma save to take control of your body for 1d6 minutes. During this time, you are fully aware of what is going on, but cannot take your own actions.
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
d6 | Personality Trait (player) |
---|---|
1 | I am obsessed with control. I must overpower the entity within. |
2 | My time having someone constantly trying to sway my choices has left me to think twice before trusting strangers. |
3 | I am open minded, listening to the advice I am given. |
4 | I tend to pick fights I probably shouldn't. |
5 | I feel hesitation to use my sword, or even touch it. |
6 | I'm never lonely, I have a friend right at my side. |
d4 | Personality Trait (weapon) |
---|---|
1 | I am as old as time and incredibly patient. My time will come to acquire my goals. |
2 | I am very aggressive in my goals, and I will take control of this body if its the last thing I do. |
3 | My fate has left my callous. |
4 | Despite my fate, I am energetic and ready to go. |
d6 | Ideal |
---|---|
1 | Control. Controlling this sword is just the first step to my goals. (Evil) |
2 | Justice. We will acquire justice together, or not at all! (Good) |
3 | Protection. This sword and I have many enemies, I will not let them harm us. (Any) |
4 | Aggression. I'm not afraid picking a fight, we're two to one! (Chaotic) |
5 | Discipline. A sword without a disciplined wielder is no sword at all. (Lawful) |
6 | Friendship. My weapon is the only friend I need. (Neutral) |
d6 | Bond |
---|---|
1 | I will take control of this sword if it's the last thing I do. |
2 | I am sympathetic towards my ally, and wish to help the entity within acquire their goals. |
3 | We will find a way to work together, we were brought together for a reason. |
4 | There are people who want my weapon for their own purposes, I will never let that happen. |
5 | I wish to destroy the entity within this sword. |
6 | The entity within holds secrets, and I will find them out. |
d6 | Flaw |
---|---|
1 | I spend more time talking with my weapon than actual people. |
2 | I can be cocky, thinking I have more control of this sword than I truly do. |
3 | Having someone constantly trying to tell me what to do leaves me irritable towards people who did nothing wrong. |
4 | I am incredibly stubborn in my ways. |
5 | I am very selfish, taking what is rightfully mine. |
6 | I can be on edge often, jumping at the slightest sound. |
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