Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 gwydion9 Aug 11, 2014 8:56:43	Hi all;   I'm designing a new backgorund for my campaign, and would like to get soem feedback on it.  FYI, it's inspired partially by Anya from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and partly by reading the new True Polymorph spell.   Transformed __________________________________________ Once, you were a powerful magical creature, one that was either very long-lived or immortal.  Perhaps you were an elder dragon, or a demigod, or an ancient and powerful demon.  But then one day you were transformed, permanently, into a weak and powerless mortal.  Perhaps you angered an entity even more powerful than you, who decided to humiliate you rather than kill you outright, perhaps the god you served decided you needed a lesson in humility, or perhaps you fell in love with a mortal and sacrificed your immortality and power to be with them.  However it happened, you are now, for all intents and purposes, a member of one of the mortal races, without access to your great power.  You might be resigned to this fate, or you may rage against it and hunt for some way to change yourself back to your former state.   Skill Proficiencies: History, and your choice of either Arcana or Religion Languages: Two of your choice Equipment: A book in which you have written down what you can remember about your old life, an unusual charm or object from your old form (such as a dragon scale on a thong), and a pouch containing ten gp.   Feature: Otherworldly Knowledge   Due to your unusual nature and former immortality, you have access to unusual knowledge generally unavailable to others.  The particular kinds of knowledge you have access to will depend the details of what you were. For example, a former ancient gold dragon would be an expert on dragons in general, gold dragons in particular, and might know a great deal about draconic magic and lore.  A former archlich would be an expert on magic in general, necromancy in particular, and possibly have been present at major historical events.  A former demon would know about demonic cults and pacts, the infernal hierarchies, and the demonic realms.  Work with the DM to define what you used to be and what your particular areas of specialized knowledge are.   Suggested Characteristics:   Because many transformed were never raised as mortals, they are often unfamiliar with mortal customs and are ill at ease when dealing with others.  Sometimes they become fascinated with some seemly mundane aspect of mortal life, such as sex or eating.  They often have highly unusual habits that carry over from their previous life, such as a former gold dragon insisting on eating raw meat and only wearing the color gold.  Many transformed are unable to make the adjustment to mortal life completely and become arrogant as a way of compensating for their reduced stature, although a few become introspective and find humility that makes them more empathetic towards the suffering of others.  Many transformed become obsessed with restoring themselves to their previous state, but a surprising number find joy and satisfaction in living a mortal life and come to accept it.   Personality Trait:   I sometimes forget that I am not whatever I was before, and speak as though I am a lich, dragon, demigod, or other creature.  For example, a former dragon might threaten to breathe fire or eat people when they get annoyed. I have only recently been made mortal and know very little about mortal social customs. I have an odd quirk or habit that has carried over from my past life. I have a tendency to grumble about how no one respects me as they did in my former life. I am fascinated with something others see as very mundane, like eating or sleeping. I don’t really understand mortality and as a result tend to be fearless in the face of danger, and mystified when it comes to understanding death. I don’t know how to trust other mortals and have a tendency to be secretive and suspicious as a result.   Ideal   Paragon of good or evil: I used to be a being of ultimate good or evil, and am still devoted to upholding those ideals to the best of my new abilities.  (good/evil) Power: It was all I cared about before, and attaining as much of it as I can is all that matters now.  (evil) Humility:  I know what is is like to be laid low and have sympathy for those who are weak and downtrodden. (good) Love:  I underwent the transformation voluntarily to be with someone I love.  I feel strongly about love and will help others to find it. (good) Knowledge:  Mortality is endlessly fascinating, and there is so much to see, I want to learn  as much as I can. (any) Change:  Nothing is certain, and even the mighty can be laid low.  The only constant is change. (any chaotic)   Bond:   There is a mortal I love, and it is at last partially because of this relationship that I was changed.  I want to be close to and protect this person. I have many powerful enemies from my former life, and so I must keep my former identity a secret. I owe a debt to another of my kind which, as a mortal, I can never completely repay. I am determined to regain my former state and am constantly pursuing knowledge of how to change myself back. Somehow, I will get vengeance on the entity who changed me into a mortal.  I will oppose them any way I can. I protect those weaker then myself because I know what it is like to suddenly be weak and helpless.   Flaw:   I often overestimate my capabilities and get into trouble as a result. I am obsessed with being changed back and will pursue that goal even to the detriment of myself or my friends. I am unfamiliar with mortal customs and am at a distinct disadvantage in social situations. I am proud and arrogant, which may lead to my destruction. I am terrified of my own mortality and can be something of a coward as a result. I am a little too fond of a particular mortal vice, such as drinking or gambling, and tend to overindulge.
#2 Goober4473 Aug 12, 2014 13:43:45	This is really cool. I'm not 100% in love with the trait though, since beign an expert in say magic feels like it should apply to Arcana rolls in some way, which is counter to the style of traits. Perhaps it could be only a fragment of knowledge. Some specific, ancient secret that you know, more in line with the Hermit's trait (I think; don't have my book in front of me).
#3 Voort Aug 12, 2014 16:21:56	Perhaps it could be who you know instead of what you know? Your past has left you with 'contacts' on the Other Side who can feed you info or otherwise help you out. For a price, of course...
#4 gwydion9 Aug 13, 2014 6:07:03	That was actually my original conception for the benefit, Voort.  But then I thought, "hang on...if you can remember being a big deal power...wouldn't that mean you can remember all kinds of interesting and potentially useful stuff?"  Still, Goober may be right-a case could be made in that instance for benefits to die rolls, which is not what the background benefit is supposed to do.  I may have to rework it.
#5 Drayven27 Aug 14, 2014 12:14:32	Personally I'd say just go with something like double proficiency bonus when making a particular type of arcane, religion, or history check. If you're not proficient in the skill you would just get the regular proficiency bonus. Could explain it away as your new less impressive brain is having trouble processing all the information you have acquired in your life.
#6 gwydion9 Aug 14, 2014 12:52:13	Drayven27 wrote:
#7 Drayven27 Aug 14, 2014 13:53:43	Yeah, I guess you're right. Gotta change my mindset still :P