Shadow Touched (5e Background)

Shadow Touched

By Raph Herrera Lthe omotan

Somehow, one way or another, you were exposed to the power of shadows; that is, negative energy. This energy infused into your being and altered something about you, claiming you for its own with a virtual brand on you. The alteration is noticeable, but not all-encompassing in appearance. Instead, it leaves a distinct mark on your existence and people can probably feel this even just being near you.

Consider how you came in contact with the shadows and how it has affected you. As it is negative energy, it is naturally unnerving at the very least to living things, fey most of all. Did you perhaps take an excursion through the Underdark to Shadowfell, only to return cursed? Perhaps you made a deal with a being of the Plane of Shadows, like the Raven Queen, and thus ended up marked forever. Did your old friends come to shun you upon finding your new appearance? What about your old acquaintances and family? Does this dark taint make you fester dark thoughts as a result? Do you regret your choices, or do you hate others for judging you instead? Do you seek ways to cleanse yourself of this, maybe hide it, or has this merely tempted you into a whole new world of dark arts?

The power of negative energy is opposed by positive energy, that is, existence, light, and life. You may undergo character changes as a result of being shadow touched, though this is not by any means a mandate to become edgy. You could be more somber and comfortable in silence and darkness, as opposed to near sources of light. Where beings of positive energy are uncomfortable around you, other shadow touched feel a twisted kinship with you. This includes other creatures of shadow like shadar-kai and shades. Even shadow dragons may remark at your special status, though it is likely they will just mock you before blasting away all the same.

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Stealth

Tool Proficiencies: Forgery or disguise kit

(Optional) Languages: The best-known language of shadow is Netherese, a language spoken by shadar-kai and shades. However, this is setting specific and therefore not applicable to all campaigns.

Equipment: Disguise kit, traveler's clothes, a trinket from your encounter with the source of your shadow taint, and a belt pouch with 5 gp

Shadow's Taint

The touch of shadow is concentrated on a certain part of you, metaphysical or physical. Use the table below to determine what part that is.

d6	Taint Site
1	Eyes. Your eyes are either purely blank or purely black.
2	Skin. Wisps of darkness make you appear slightly ethereal as they emit like smoke from your skin. These can pass through clothing.
3	Scar. You have a single scar on your body that is unique shaped as a souvenir from the darkness. It is cold to the touch.
4	Soul. Your tainted soul makes others feel discomfort around you, as though they are being watched.
5	Voice. Whenever you speak, slight puffs of darkness emit from your mouth, and your voice is slightly scratchy and unnatural.
6	Limbs. Your arms and legs are covered in black markings that resemble crawling shadows.

Feature: Shadow Aura

You are undeniably set apart from others by the taint on you. Normal people, natural beings, and fey in particular, are all wary and uneasy near you. This can make it hard for you to tame animals and may augment suspicions against you. However, you enjoy attention (possibly unwanted) from other shadow beings like shadar-kai, shades, and creatures of the Plane of Shadow. They may see you as less of a threat or even as a possible comrade, thus offering you more opportunities to avoid fighting with them and bargaining.

Suggested Characteristics

Shadow touched beings are still themselves before their unfortunate encounter. Many may have found themselves warped by their experience and the subsequent backlash against them, but they still retain their own memories and personalities. Some are less pessimistic.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I speak softly even when I am mad.
2	Jokes other than dark humor often go way over my head.
3	I can't help but smile at people suffering sometimes.
4	At night, I often lapse into a period of either self-pity or self-loathing.
5	Sleep doesn't come easy to me, and I often have nightmares when I finally get to dreamland.
6	I always look for things to do so I'm never idle in body or mind.
7	Food is one of the only things that never fails to calm me down.
8	I find that getting lost in a good book is as good as any vacation.

d6	Ideal
1	Cleansed. I want to be free of this curse on me, so I can return to normal. (Neutral)
2	Dark Embrace. This is but a taste of the true power I desire and now seek. (Chaotic)
3	Vengeance. This taint has made me abhorrent to others. I will others know my pain. (Evil)
4	Savior. I was given this power for a reason: To help others. (Good)
5	Survival. Like it wasn't hard enough living without this problem. I want to just carry on like nothing's wrong. (Neutral)
6	Prophecy. I received ominous warnings from this power that I will adhere to. (Lawful)

d6	Bond
1	Everyone I ever knew abandoned me over this curse. So I want to hunt them down.
2	There is one person who has stuck with me all this time, through thick and thin, and they are my world.
3	I want to find others with this affliction so they may help me.
4	I don't need anyone! I'm better off alone!
5	God, give me a friend. I don't care who...
6	Relationships are of the moment, fleeting and ephemeral. I seek those with use as the situation calls for it, nothing more.

d6	Flaw
1	I unnerve others with my creepy smile and dark humor.
2	I cannot empathize with anyone to save my life.
3	I focus a lot on things like money over people.
4	I love to paint myself as the victim.
5	I have no idea when "too far" is too far in anything.
6	My own goals take up alll my time so I barely spare any attention to the world around me.

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