Wronged Hero (5e Background)

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Wronged Hero

Oedipus at Colonus by Fulchran Jean Harriet

You saved them. You helped them. They turned and bared their teeth at you, eyes in incredulous fury; fury over what you had not done, but they believed you to be the perpetrator. How had it all gone so wrong? Those whom you trusted have turned their backs on you, perhaps even betrayed you and left you to the wolves. The ones you sought to save now see you as an enemy, savior no longer. Forced from your spot in the limelight, you fled persecution for unjust condemnation and have hidden for the last few years maybe. No longer are you a revered hero. To them, you are a thug, or worse maybe. But you know the truth. You were a hero wronged.

A wronged hero does not have to be some major savior of a nation who was tricked by some masterful plot by his archnemesis and thrown into an unfavorable view. They can be the uncelebrated folk who patrol towns and help with the small things that matter in daily life. Perhaps the local guard was framed for sleeping with the town master's wife to cover up an affair. The local medicine lady was accused of being a witch despite her clean and pristine record of saving the ill. These figures are all wronged heroes, though perhaps unsung, but heroes nonetheless.

When making a wronged hero character, consider their current life in contrast to their previous one. Were they ousted and sent packing by mobs? Do they now live in squalor under some forgettable alias, dreaming of the old days? Or do they stay still, amid hostile persecution, enduring the unjust punishment and choking on bitter tears? Do they plot for revenge or only rue their fall?

Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation, Insight

Tool Proficiencies: Disguise Kit or Forgery Kit.

Languages: One of your choice, preferably of the people who betrayed you

Equipment: A journal from your days of glory past, a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch with your savings of 20 gp

Feature: Hero No More

Your previous alias was better known in varying degrees. To escape persecution, you made yourself a back-up identity to avoid rousing a ruckus and slipped into a quieter, more common life. You blend in very well with virtually any commoner in a given town, assuming they are of a similar race to you.

Suggested Characteristics

Wronged heroes tend to have a bit of angst or resentment built up that taints their former personality. Who can blame them?

d8	Personality Trait
1	You like to brood for long periods unprovoked.
2	I like to talk a lot about "Back in my day..."
3	You like to take charge of a situation.
4	You linger longingly at the edge of crowds.
5	When I say one thing, I often mean another thing...
6	I hate having to repeat myself.
7	You have a gloating attitude though you have nothing to gloat about.
8	People can feel your tangible awkwardness when they talk to you.

d6	Ideal
1	Redemption. I need to regain the trust of my people. (Good)
2	Perseverance. I can't let this betrayal change who I am. (Lawful)
3	Neutrality. They kicked me out. Oh well, I won't help them anymore. (Neutral)
4	Anger. Their betrayal will not stand. I'll kill them, I swear it. (Evil)
5	Moving on. I guess I'll find a new people to protect. (Lawful)
6	Retribution. Next time those fools come to me for help, I'll simply laugh in their face. Shouldn't have betrayed my trust. (Chaotic)

d6	Bond
1	I still feel a sense of loyalty to my village.
2	There was a villager who protected me when everybody else hated me.
3	I have family in the village I was booted from, and secretly help them.
4	A relationship with a royal caused me to be exiled.
5	A corrupt dictator threw me out, I have to kill him.
6	I left something behind in my village that I can never forget.

d6	Flaw
1	I never give my trust to anybody anymore.
2	I am prone to fits of anger.
3	Whenever I see a villager in trouble, I become angry.
4	The betrayal got under my skin and I suffer from PTSD.
5	I hate hearing people bully others. It drives me insane.
6	I don't listen to anything anybody says.

5.00

(2 votes)

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