Unfortunate Origins

A collection of tragic and unusual PC backgrounds for D&D 5E

by Jacob S Kellogg

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Backgrounds
d20 Skill d20 Skill
Life is complicated. For many, adventuring is as strange
1 Acrobatics 10 Medicine
and dangerous as it gets. However, some adventurers’
2 Animal Handling 11 Nature
origins are tragedies in themselves. While the 3 Arcana 12 Perception
backgrounds presented in the Player’s Handbook offer 4 Athletics 13 Performance
the possibility of unfortunate events leading to the 5 Deception 14 Persuasion
decision to pursue a life of adventure, the backgrounds 6 History 15 Religion
presented below take misfortune to a bizarre new level. 7 Insight 16 Sleight of Hand
In Unfortunate Origins, you will find backgrounds a bit 8 Intimidation 17 Stealth
less conventional and a bit more complicated than 9 Investigation 18 Survival
most. The Amnesiac, the Failure, the Fallen, the Relic,
and the Survivor all offer tragic and unusual histories d10 Tool d10 Tool
for creating flawed and interesting characters. 1 Artisan’s tools 6 Musical instrument
2 Disguise kit 7 Navigator’s tools
Amnesiac 3 Forgery kit 8 Poisoner’s kit
Your past is a mystery, and not just from others: you 4 Gaming set 9 Thieves’ tools
can’t remember who you are or where you came from. 5 Herbalism kit 10 Vehicles
At some point in the recent past, you suddenly found
yourself aware of your own existence but completely
lacking any knowledge of your identity, history, or
Language
surroundings. You have skills you don’t remember Determine which language you know by rolling a d8
acquiring and possessions you don’t recognize. and comparing the result to the list of standard
languages on page 123 of the Player’s Handbook. You
The point in time when your current awareness began know the corresponding language. If your roll
might have been only days ago, or perhaps a few years designates a language you already know, then instead
have passed before your decision to shape your new life compare your roll to the list of exotic languages on the
into that of an adventurer. Whatever the case, the same page.
defining element of your past is that it’s unknown to
you. Feature: Flash of Memory
Although your past life is a mystery, you occasionally
Skill Proficiencies: Select two at random (see below). see things which bring to mind small fragments of
Tool Proficiencies: Select one at random (see below). memory. While exploring a town, dungeon, or other
Languages: Select one at random (see below). region, you can have a flash of memory about an
Equipment: A compass, a tool with which you are individual person, location, or object that you
proficient, a locket containing a picture of someone you encounter. You can only have one flash of memory for
don’t recognize, a set of traveler’s clothes, and a pouch each area.
containing 10 gp
Having a flash of memory causes you to recall
Skills and Tools information about the subject, possibly including
The skill proficiencies provided by your background hidden or secret information, due to having been
are a mystery. Roll a d20 and consult the Skills table familiar with the subject prior to your amnesia.
below; you gain proficiency with the skill shown. If you However, the nature of your relationship with the
roll a 19 or 20, or a skill with which you already have subject is decided by the DM and is not included in the
proficiency, roll again. Use this process to select a total information you recall (unless it is necessary to
of two skills. understand the nature of the subject).
Establishing your tool proficiency follows a similar Suggested Characteristics
process: roll a d10 and consult the Tools table below, A character with the amnesiac background is deeply
and gain proficiency with that tool. If you roll a tool affected by their ignorance of their own past and
with which you are already proficient, roll again. If you identity, but this can manifest in many different ways.
gain proficiency with a tool of which there are multiple One might live in constant doubt and unease,
types, consult the table on page 154 of the Player’s constantly fearing that they will once again lose
Handbook and roll to determine the exact type of tool.

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everything; another might feel freed and unbound,
eagerly throwing themselves into a new identity.
Note that while most backgrounds include a list of
suggested “bonds” which tie your character to
something or someone in the game world, a character
with the amnesiac background would be unaware of
any such connections. Instead, work with your DM to
create bonds organically out of the results of your Flash
of Memory feature.
d8 Personality Trait
1 I start each day by reciting the names of everyone I
know, just to make sure I still can.
2 I journal compulsively.
3 I’m slow to form deep connections with others.
4 I always have trouble falling asleep, afraid of what
might not stick with me when I wake up.
5 Whenever I’m nervous, I fidget with a coin that was
in my pocket when I woke up.
6 No matter where I go, I always feel like an outsider.
7 Sometimes I think I’ll never get used to this face.
8 Any time someone looks angry, I worry that they’re
coming to get revenge for something I don’t
remember doing.

d6 Ideal
1 Compassion. Be kind, because someone might be
facing struggles you can’t see. (Good)
2 Retribution. My whole life was taken from me, so it’s
only fair if I take what I want from others. (Evil)
3 Caution. Take care, lest you give fate extra
opportunities to wreck your life. (Lawful)
4 Nonattachment. You might lose everything tomorrow,
so why cling to anything? (Neutral)
5 Impulse. Enjoy whatever opportunities you find,
because you never know what’s coming. (Chaotic)
6 Freedom. I have nothing tying me down, and it’s the
most amazing feeling. (Any)
d6 Flaw
1 I don’t trust anyone, because anyone could be an old
enemy ready to ruin me a second time.
2 Given my own ordeal, I’m a bit too ready to give
dangerous people a second chance.
3 I feel uneasy about some of my skills, and am too
quick to see accusation in others’ glances.
4 I’m downright lazy. Knowing everything could
disappear without warning makes it really hard to
give it my all.
5 Objects feel more secure than memories, so I’ve
become obsessed with loot and treasure.
6 I’m terrified of romantic involvement, lest I
unknowingly betray an existing partner.
Failure
Nobody’s perfect. Everyone’s life is dotted with
endeavors which never came to fruition, or even
backfired harmfully. You, however, stand out above the
crowd by having failed spectacularly, abysmally, and
perhaps even repeatedly.
You might be an entrepreneur who sunk everything you
had into a business which never got off the ground, or
you might be a crackpot inventor whose creations were
worthless at best or dangerous at worst. The specific
endeavors are less meaningful than the fact that every
time you took a risk and tried to make your fortune,
you failed miserably, leaving you broke and without any
better options than to risk your very life as an
adventurer.
Skill Proficiencies: Investigation, Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan’s tools and one
musical instrument
Equipment: A set of artisan’s tools (one of your
choice), a musical instrument (one of your choice), a set
of common clothes and a pouch containing 2 gp
Feature: That Doesn’t Work
If there’s one thing that a life of failure has taught you,
it’s how to recognize when something is wrong.
Whenever you encounter a political, economic,

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infrastructural, or otherwise practical relationship, you
can tell if there’s something suspicious about it. For
example, if you review an aristocrat’s financial records,
you would notice inconsistencies or suspicious
transactions contained therein, if any are present.
Suggested Characteristics
Catastrophic failure will leave a mark on a person’s life,
but that mark can take many forms. You might be
broken and fatalistic, or you might feel that you have
nothing left to lose and throw yourself into your new
life of adventuring with reckless abandon.
d8 Personality Trait
1 I suffer paralyzing anxiety about everything I do.
2 I track my money and inventory with extreme rigor.
3 I can’t sleep unless I have a gold piece clutched
firmly in hand.
4 I have a cautionary tale for every circumstance. Or
rather, I am one.
5 I still feel giddy when concocting a new plan.
6 My optimism defies all explanation. And reality.
7 I love talking about the things I’ve learned in my past
ventures.
8 I am constantly surprised by people who don’t react
to me like I’m a celebrity.
d6 Ideal
1 Creativity. Everyone should be free to pursue their
dreams. (Chaotic)
2 Planning. Failures are the product of flawed plans;
planning well enough will bring success. (Lawful)
3 Ruthlessness. I swear I’ll succeed one day, no
matter what it takes. (Evil)
4 Compassion. We can’t always help how things turn
out, but we can always help each other. (Good)
5 Self-improvement. Every failure is an opportunity to
grow. (Good)
6 Aspiration. I work hard to see my dreams become
reality. (Any)
d6 Bond
1 3
Someone very powerful lost a lot of money because
of me, and I fear the day they come to collect.
2 My family left when I could no longer support them.
Someday, I hope to redeem myself to them.
3 My failures also ruined those who worked with or for
me, and I would do anything to atone for that.
4 I would kill for the chance to prove that I can do
something worthwhile.
5 My risky ventures were aimed at raising money to
help someone dear to me. They still need help.
6 Not all of my ventures were fully legal, and someday
the law will catch up to me.
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d6 Flaw
1 You’d think by now I’d be cautious about offers that
seem too good to be true. You’d be wrong.
2 Question my ideas even a little and I’ll fly into a
defensive rage.
3 I am intensely critical of any plan that I didn’t come
up with myself.
4 I have a bad habit of embellishing the stories of my
past, especially if the listener is attractive.
5 I have become thoroughly addicted to gambling.
6 I’m so tired of failure that even the slightest
setbacks send me into a profane tirade.
Fallen
Despite your appearance, your true form is that of a
powerful otherworldly entity. At some point in the past,
you fell from your lofty position and took the form of an
ordinary humanoid, losing all of your power in the
process (including the power to return to your native
form). You might have been cast down by your
superiors as punishment for past misdeeds, or perhaps
cursed by a powerful enemy. Whatever the case, you’re
fully humanoid now, and unable to get your old life
back.
Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Nature
Languages: Two of your choice
Equipment: A tattoo reminiscent of your true form, a
set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Origin
Your old life was that of a powerful otherworldly
creature. Select an option from the table below or roll
randomly. Note that this does not make you a creature
of the associated type or otherwise affect your game
statistics or abilities.
d6 Origin d6 Origin
1 Archfey 4 Archfiend
2 Elder dragon 5 Elemental lord
Archangel 6 Aboleth
Feature: Recognition
Despite being fully humanoid, there are some who
recognize you for who you truly are. Non-sentient
creatures tend to be either more or less comfortable
around you than they are around other humanoids, as
appropriate to the creature and your origin. Intelligent
creatures of a related sort also recognize you, and
(unless they are more powerful than you used to be)
will tend to defer to your will when feasible, whether
out of respect for your rank or for fear of retribution
should you ever regain your power. For example, if you
used to be an archfey, then woodland creatures might
Unfortunate Origins 4
be drawn to your presence, and intelligent fey creatures
will offer deference when plausible.
Suggested Characteristics
Being imprisoned in a mortal body far weaker than
your natural form can be a harrowing experience.
Perhaps you feel deep regret for the actions which led
to your new predicament, or perhaps you are filled
with rage and driven to vengeance.
d8 Personality Trait
1 My voice often drifts toward loudness, sounding like
I’m making a proclamation.
2 The social customs of these mortals are absolutely
mind-boggling.
3 I keep forgetting that I’m not allowed to go wherever I
want.
My favor, once lost, is lost forever.
4
5 I go to great lengths to be presentable. I may be a
mortal, but I don’t have to smell like it.
6 I write down the name of everyone who does me
wrong. Someday, they’ll regret it.
7 I’m so embarrassed about my situation that I take
great pains to fit in and look natural.
8 I try to remember those who treat me well, so I can
reward them someday when I get my power back.
d6 Ideal
1 Power. If I can attain enough power, I will never have
to be humiliated again. (Evil)
2 Responsibility. I earned my exile, and I will see it
through to its end. (Lawful)
3 Freedom. I may have been cast out of my world, but
I can still do as I please in this one. (Chaotic)
4 Growth. My fall means that I was lacking, and I must
use this opportunity to better myself. (Good)
5 Acceptance. This is my lot now, and I will make my
peace with it. (Neutral)
6 Knowledge. Despite the inconvenience, this is a
great opportunity to learn of another world. (Any)
d6 Bond
1 I have a powerful enemy who is not likely to wait
until I have my power back to kill me.
2 My fall involved disappointing someone important to
me, and I want to redeem myself in their eyes.
3 If I can’t get my old power back, I will find a way to
rule the mortal world.
4 I will return and slay the one who stripped me of my
power, or die trying.
5 Despite my situation, I am still loyal to my
sovereign.
6 I have fallen in love with a mortal, and must navigate
the resulting complications.
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d6 Flaw
1 I am convinced that all mortals are beneath me.
2 I earned my fall through disgraceful behavior, and
have learned nothing.
3 Though I won’t admit it, I am far too eager to indulge
in mortal pleasures.
4 I consistently live beyond my means, forgetting that
my resources are limited now.
5 I am absolutely terrified of my newfound mortality.
6 I am slow to trust the mortals I meet.
Relic
You are a person out of time. Perhaps you were frozen
in an iceberg, got locked in magical stasis, or even died
only to be revived a thousand years later. Whatever the
method, you spent your youth in one millennium but
now find yourself in another.
You now try to make a life for yourself in a world both
familiar and alien. Landscapes are recognizable but
altered. Everyone but you has a bizarre accent. You
know the basics of society but have had to re-learn all
the current rulers, factions, and customs.
Skill Proficiencies: History, Insight
Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A set of clothes a thousand years out of
fashion, 5 gp in mixed coins minted by a now-fallen
empire, a set of common clothes, and a pouch
containing 5 gp
Feature: Ancient Knowledge
What is considered “common knowledge” depends on
whom you ask, and your answer is different than most.
On the one hand, your knowledge of what your peers
take for granted is spotty and incomplete. On the other
hand, information now considered to be lost to the ages
is still fresh in your mind. Even if knowledge is out of
reach of other characters due to being ancient and
obscure, it is still well within the reach of your own
recollection.
Suggested Characteristics
Living in a world where everything seems familiar but
just a little “off” can create a sense of dysphoria. When
you combine this with the (possibly unexpected)
sudden loss of everyone you ever knew, you will
undoubtedly feel the effects of your situation.
Unfortunate Origins 5
 d8 Personality Trait
1 I have trouble falling asleep, as I fear awakening into
yet another era.
2 I spend a lot of time thinking about the people I will
never see again.
3 I can’t help thinking the local culture has changed for
the worse since my day.
4 I am constantly excited and fascinated by all the
new fashions and experiences available now.
5 I feel like a tourist everywhere I go, and it’s
exhausting.
6 I find myself getting lost a lot.
7 I feel like an idiot because I never understand any
figures of speech.
8 I get incredibly anxious whenever I’m alone.

d6 Ideal
1 Nonattachment. Enjoy life, but don’t make any one
thing essential to your happiness. (Neutral)
2 Impulse. You can lose everything in the blink of an
eye, so enjoy life while you can. (Chaotic)
3 Achievement. I will create something which will last
through the ages. (Any)
4 Greed. Nobody keeps anything forever; I will take
what I want now. (Evil)
5 Love. Memories are all that endure. Do what you can
to make an impact on people’s lives. (Good) Survivor
6 Community. I will learn to fit into this new society, Life is dangerous in the worlds of D&D, and the danger
rather than stubbornly resist it. (Lawful) is not restricted solely to the lives of adventurers. At
some point in your past, you narrowly avoided death in
d6 Bond some sort of major event, and probably spent a good
1 As far as I know, I am the last of my family. I don’t deal of time injured and alone before finally reaching
want it to end with me. safety or being rescued. Your life has been different
2 I owe a debt to a powerful being with a long memory, ever since.
and I’m a millennium behind in paying it.
3 I left behind someone special, and I cannot rest until Skill Proficiencies: Medicine, Survival
I find out what happened to them. Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit
4 I don’t care how long it’s been, my loyalty is to my Languages: One of your choice
old sovereign, not this new regime. Equipment: A healer’s kit, a memento of a deceased
5 I’d do anything to repay the kind people who helped loved one, a set of traveler’s clothes, and a pouch
me get back on my feet. containing 10 gp
6 I had something important with me when I went
down, and it’s gone. I will find it. Survived Event
Something happened which claimed many lives, but
d6 Flaw through determination and a whole lot of luck, you
1 I constantly worry that people might be trying to take managed to survive. Choose a type of catastrophic
advantage of me. I trust no one.
event from the table below or roll randomly.
2 I find it nearly impossible to form new relationships.
3 I keep assuming that people are staring at me and d6 Event d6 Event
judging me. 1 Natural disaster 4 Military incursion
4 The only solution is drinking. 2 Monster attack 5 Shipwreck
5 I look with disdain on those whose problems seem 3 Plague 6 Famine
smaller than mine.
6 I know it doesn’t make sense, but I’m angry that
nobody defers to me as an elder.

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Feature: Grim Determination d6 Flaw
You are used to having to push yourself to the limit to 1 I always resist leaving populated areas, fearing I will
again be left alone to die.
survive, and you know how to get the same out of your
2 I am prone to sudden, angry outbursts.
companions. When traveling for at least one entire day,
3 I am proud of my survival, and don’t tolerate those
you and up to five companions can spend an extra hour who seem weak.
traveling each day without risk of exhaustion. 4 I have a grim addiction to games of chance.
Suggested Characteristics 5 I am too comfortable with death, and resort to
violence too quickly.
A character who has narrowly survived a deadly event
6 I spend far too much of my money on short-term
may never be the same again. Think about the specific gratifications.
event your character survived, how they eventually
came to safety, and what life would be like after that.
d8 Personality Trait Want More Goodies?
1 I have nightmares almost every night.
2 I am constantly assessing my surroundings to
decide how I could respond to a catastrophe.
3 I frequently pat my pockets and belts to make sure I
still have my equipment.
4 I’m terse.
5 I get uncomfortable around crowds, because they
remind me of what could happen to all of them.
6 I can’t sleep without a loaf of bread or other food
item in my arms.
7 I really enjoy showing off my scars, especially if they
can impress someone pretty.
8 I tell it like it is, because life’s too short for beating
around the bush.

d6 Ideal
1 Affection. Tell people that you care about them. You Thanks for reading! I hope you like this collection of
might not get another chance. (Good) backgrounds for your characters. If you want to see
2 Might. The strong survive. Nothing else matters. more of my work, go back to the product page where
(Evil)
Community. Our best defense against disaster is to
you purchased this and click my name under the
3
work together. (Lawful) “Author(s)” heading on the right-hand side of the page
4 Joy. Do what you want while you can. Don’t miss to see a list of all the DM’s Guild content that I’ve
your chance. (Chaotic) published so far. (While you’re there, why not leave a
5 Preparedness. Be ready for anything, and you might review?)
just live to see some wrinkles. (Any)
If you want to see rough drafts before publication, as
6 Protection. The best use of strength is to protect the
weak. (Good) well as content beyond the bounds of D&D, check out
patreon.com/jskellogg. Happy adventuring!
d6 Bond
1 I will not rest until I get revenge against the ones
who destroyed my hometown.
2 One day I will return to the sea with a new ship in
honor of my fallen crewmates.
3 I will never suffer a monster to live.
4 Anything I can spare will be given to those who
suffer as I suffered.
5 Soldiers are murderers for hire, and I will treat them
as such.
6 I will work tirelessly to find a cure for the plague
which nearly claimed my life.

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