Lost Civilization (5e Background)
Lost Civilization
You come from a legendary realm, a place filled with magic or technology unknown to the outer world. You grew up around alien creatures, lived in a city of glass and steel, and used artifacts that most people consider impossible. Whether you abandoned your homeland by choice or necessity, you may never find your way back.
Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, History
Tool Proficiencies: One type of musical instrument
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A walking staff, a necklace or other family heirloom of unusual metal, a set of traveler’s clothes, and a belt pouch containing 20 gp of coin from your homeland
Feature: Stranger in a Strange Land
Your origin grants you celebrity status. You attract the curiosity of commoners, nobles, sages, and fools alike, but not all of this attention is benevolent. When you seek audience with an individual of note, such as a famous wizard or local noble, you can mention your place of origin to entice their interest and earn an invitation. Often, they may offer advice and knowledge in trade for stories about your homeland. If you need a larger favor, your host may demand something exceptional in return, such as technological secrets or a magic item from your realm.
Suggested Characteristics
A citizen from a Lost Civilization feels misplaced and disconnected from the outer world. Because they grew up in such a different setting, their distinctiveness goes beyond strange clothing and a foreign accent. When interacting with locals, their unfamiliarity with customs, traditions, and superstitions often confuses people or angers them.
| d4 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | Everything I discover in this new world fascinates or horrifies me. |
| 2 | I won’t let my ignorance hinder my curiosity, even if it upsets someone. |
| 3 | No matter how hard I try to fit in, I alienate everyone around me. |
| 4 | I enjoy collecting trinkets and tokens everywhere I travel. |
| d4 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knowledge. I want to learn this world’s secrets to take back home. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Secrets. My people unleashed a horror that consumed my realm; I will not allow my new home to suffer that fate. (Good) |
| 3 | Destiny. I hear the chorus of alien gods. Their voices tell me who must live and who must die. (Any) |
| 4 | Generosity. I possess skills unknown to this world. Honor and duty require me to share these talents. (Good) |
| d4 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I will find a way back home, even if it takes a lifetime and costs a fortune. |
| 2 | My people intend to conquer the outer world. I can’t let them succeed. |
| 3 | I must discover who abducted me from my realm and why. |
| 4 | I stole a piece of forbidden technology. It tells me to learn its secrets before its owners find me. |
| d4 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | My inexperience with local customs and traditions often gets me into trouble. |
| 2 | When stressed, I speak in cryptic metaphors that no one understands. |
| 3 | I feel superior to everyone around me, but I hold them blameless for their ignorance. |
| 4 | This land is not my home, and it will never be my home, no matter how long I remain stuck here. |
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