Former Gladiator (5e Background)
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This page is of questionable balance. Reason: The feature should not grant mechanical benefits.
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Former Gladiator
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| Are you not entertained!?, Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), in the pop culture classic, Gladiator |
For as long as you can remember, you've been forced to fight for your life, killing those that you both knew and didn't know. Despite your hatred for those that forced you into doing this, you continued regardless of how much emotion you lost. Eventually it became a routine. But not once was it EVER a game to you. With every life you took you tore a piece of your own soul from your very being. Eventually you got fed up with this routine and rebelled. You managed to escape and are pursued by the loved ones of those that you killed and by those that forced you to kill. You changed your visage hiding from your demons but, you continue to grow stronger during your travels.
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics and Intimidation or Persuation (based on feature)
Proficiencies: Disguise Kit, Light armor, A single martial weapon of your choosing (Your weapon of choice in the coliseum)
Languages: One of your choosing (This can be the language of your captors)
Equipment: A pouch of 10gp, Disguise kit, Padded armor, one martial weapon that you are proficient with,
Feature: Fighting for Survival
When you drop below half health you become less in tune with your humane side and let your basic instincts run wild. You become proficient with any weapon or improvised weapon for as long as you are holding it.
Alternate Feature: Merciful Soul
Throughout your life, due to the amount of death you have seen, you are able to persuade a hostile creature to lower their weapons and step down with a persuasion check with a DC equal to the creatures wisdom stat. You can use this feature once before you must take a short or long rest to use it again.
Suggested Characteristics
As a Former Gladiator you have wept all your tears and used up all your strength.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am strong. I must be to have lived this long. |
| 2 | The weak will never be able to become strong. Its just not possible. |
| 3 | I am persistent if nothing else. I will never be brought to my knees! |
| 4 | I have taken many hits in my lifetime. I've delivered twice as many. |
| 5 | I feel great sorrow for those I have run through, but I do not let this pain cloud my vision. |
| 6 | Dread is something some people feel. I've overcome this feeling and fought through it! |
| 7 | With power over the people I feel strong. I don't want to feel strong. |
| 8 | Power is a limitation I have overcome. I am strong and I always will be! |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Power. Power rules this world. With power comes ownership! (Chaotic) |
| 2 | Mercy. No one should have to suffer. If I must kill.... I'l make it quick. (Good) |
| 3 | Death. If I must kill someone to become stronger so be it! (Evil) |
| 4 | Responsibility. I know how much responsibility comes with murder. I will bear it on my shoulders. (Neutral) |
| 5 | Sorrow. I mourn those that I kill. I weep for their loved ones. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Loyalty. I was loyal to those that gave me a roof. I executed those that deserved it. (Lawful) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I realize those that I kill have families to. And to them I apologize. |
| 2 | I have loved ones of my own, I would never willingly kill them. |
| 3 | I hate those that forced my hand. |
| 4 | Those that make another suffer must pay. That is what I am for. |
| 5 | Love is a valuable asset. Once it is stripped, It is hard to get back. |
| 6 | Pain is a friend after you get used to it. it tells you you're alive. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I've been doing this so long that I begin to enjoy killing. |
| 2 | I willingly signed a contract to kill on my employers command. |
| 3 | I am ashamed at what I do but I do it to survive. Like anyone would. |
| 4 | I enjoy the pain that comes when I break my knuckles on someones skull. |
| 5 | I hate myself for taking another's life but can't bring myself to die. |
| 6 | Death is a pleasant offering in my eyes. At least they wont have to suffer anymore. |
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