Oathbreaker (5e Background)
Oathbreaker
In Dwarven society, Dwarves take their word very seriously and take their oaths even more so. An Oathbreaker breaks the sacred oath handed down to them by their ancestors or an oath they swore to uphold. Such as revenge for their clan or family member. However, an Oathbreaker is never announced until Moradin judges them so and the Dwarf is exiled. If the crime is bad enough they can be further punished or forced to take the Slayer Oath. (To fight until death)
What Oath (or oaths) was broken? Has Moradin judged the Dwarf? What was the punishment? Can the Dwarf be redeemed?
Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Athletics
Tool Proficiencies: Pick one Artisan’s Tools, and one Land Vehicle
Equipment: Copper Dwarven jewelry such as armbands, piercings, beardrings worth 1GP, common or traveler's clothes
Feature: Wanderer
You have an excellent memory for maps and geography, and you can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements, and other features around you. In addition, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to five other people each day, provided that the land offers berries, small game, water, and so forth.
Alternate Feature: Redeemer
Those who look into your eyes can see that you have faced judgement and that you are now dedicated to redeem yourself. Though they might shame you, Dwarves will extend a courtesy to you and do their utmost to help you on your path of redemption. Unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them, they will even take up arms to fight alongside you, should you find yourself facing an enemy alone.
Suggested Characteristics
Oathbreakers are exiles an the path of redemption. Their Characteristics are that of shame and redemption.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I don't pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. |
| 2 | The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can't do it. |
| 3 | When I set my mind to something, I follow through no matter what gets in my way. |
| 4 | Thinking is for other people. I prefer action. |
| 5 | I've been isolated for so long that I rarely speak, preferring gestures and the occasional grunt. |
| 6 | My language is as foul as an otyugh nest. |
| 7 | I can stare down a hellhound without flinching. |
| 8 | I eat like a pig and have bad manners. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tradition.The ancient traditions of worship and sacrifice must be preserved and upheld. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Charity. I always try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good) |
| 3 | Change. Life is like the seasons, in constant change, and we must change with it. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. In life as in war, the stronger force wins. (Evil) |
| 5 | Family. Blood runs thicker than water. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would die to recover an ancient artifact of my faith that was lost long ago. |
| 2 | I come from a noble family, and one day I'll reclaim my lands and title from those who stole them from me. |
| 3 | Someone I loved died because of a mistake I made. That will never happen again. |
| 4 | I'm guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it. |
| 5 | My tools are symbols of my past life, and I carry them so that I will never forget my roots. |
| 6 | I will bring terrible wrath down on the evildoers who destroyed my homeland. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely. |
| 2 | I hate to admit it and will hate myself for it, but I'll run and preserve my own hide if the going gets tough. |
| 3 | I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble. |
| 4 | The people who knew me when I was young know my shameful secret, so I can never go home again. |
| 5 | I harbor dark bloodthirsty thoughts that my isolation failed to quell. |
| 6 | My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning. |
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