Afflicted

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Afflicted

Since early in life, possibly from birth, you have been subject to a highly visible abnormal condition. Your condition is chronic and, in the absence of powerful magic or advanced medical technology, incurable, though not detrimental to your ability to function. The main impact of your condition is cosmetic, though it may also be uncomfortable, affect your diet, alter your mannerisms, or shorten your lifespan in the long run. People are generally ignorant of the plight of their fellow man, and even in highly advanced enlightened societies, they will swiftly judge one another based on little more than looks alone. As a result, anyone who stands out as being weird in any way is likely to be the target of fear, suspicion, rumors, superstition, abuse, and other expressions of plain ignorance.
Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation and Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies: One tool of any sort
Languages: any one language
Equipment: A medical device (A mask, crutch, brace, etc.) you use to maintain some comfort, a set of common clothes, a bag, a blank notebook, and a belt pouch containing 5gp.

Feature: Pity

What is it which makes you so hideous?

Suggested Characteristics

Specialization (d6)

1Disease. You are afflicted by a chronic disease which cannot be cured. (Real world example is Leprosy.)
2Deformity. You are permanently disfigured, due to a birth defect. (Think Elephant Man)
3Dysfunction. You have some neurological problem which prevents you from thinking, remembering, understanding, communicating, or coordinating yourself normally. (In ancient times, people thought these things meant you were possessed.)
4Disfigurement. An accident has left you horribly scarred. (Note, this does not mean dismembered; it is cosmetic, like the Phantom of the Opera.)
5Distortion. A magical effect has substantially altered you in a frightening way. (Such as having a warthog's head, or no shadow.)
6Modification. You have some sort of substantial body modification which is significantly outside of normal, even for people with modifications, and dramatically alters your appearance. (Full body tattoos, facial brandings, etc.)

Personality Traits (d8)

1I am unyieldingly genuine, and laugh, cry, or scream without restraint.
2I act as though there is nothing different about me, even when it affects my life.
3I take advantage of others' pity to shirk my responsibilities.
4I can't even look at my own reflection.
5I came to terms with this a long time ago.
6I am a permanent optimist, and can find the silver lining to any storm cloud.
7I never smile- not really anyways, and anyone who pays attention can see the sadness in my false smiles.
8My condition makes it difficult to communicate, and people have troubles understanding me.

Ideals (d6)

1Betterment. Some day, I will make life better for everyone like me. (Good)
2Practicality. If I can make my situation useful, I will. (Neutral)
3Retribution. I believe the cause of my affliction can be traced to a specific source- and it shall feel my vengeance! (Evil)
4Coexistence. One cannot legislate love or repect, but one can enforce tolerance. (Lawful)
5Ambivalence. I don't look like you, but I'm just like you. (Neutral)
6Whatever. Who cares? Nothing will hold me back! (Chaotic)

Bonds (d6)

1I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
2I believe there is a way to make me normal, and I am on a quest to find it.
3Growing up, there was only one person who could see past my affliction to the real me. I would do anything for them.
4I keep hold of some small object which acts as a reminder of life before my affliction.
5All I want is to find somewhere I belong.
6I have a diary or journal which I record my experiences in every time I rest.

Flaws (d6)

1While most would think I am brave, those who know me worry that I may be suicidally so.
2I am just as judgmental and prejudiced as everyone else- perhaps more so.
3Years of mistreatment have left me misanthropic and cruel.
4My affliction matches a description in some prophecy- and anyone who knows about it wants me dead when they find out.
5My affliction has left me cowardly and over cautious.
6I don't understand why people fear or pity me.


D&D Wiki Homebrew

This content was imported from D&D Wiki. It has not been vetted for game balance. Use with DM discretion.

Source: D&D Wiki - Afflicted (5e Background)

Licensed under GNU Free Documentation License 1.3.

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