Eldritch Cultist in Dungeons & Dragons 5e

Eldritch Cultist

Overview:

You spent part of your life in a cult dedicated to a Great Old One, an ancient horror, or some other being of considerable power. You’ve seen the fervent devotion of a dark cult to such creatures, seen or participated in rituals, and glimpsed power from beyond normal mortal comprehension. The time spent among these cultists has lingered with you to this day.

Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Religion

Languages: Two of your choice

Equipment:

A set of simple robes, a ritual dagger, a wooden mask reminiscent of the entity the cult worshipped, and a pouch containing 15 gp

Features:

Stalked from Darkness

The echoes of your time in the cult haunt your steps. Those who might intimidate, belittle, or waylay you see something flicker behind your eyes—something terrible. Creatures who don’t need to pick a fight with you find something better to do rather quickly. You find this talent useful for avoiding unpleasant scuffles or traveling unmolested, even into areas others find difficult to access.

Suggested Characteristics: An eldritch cultist might be a former or current member of a sect devoted to some dark power. They may be fearful or intrigued by the entity the cult sought to contact. Some cultists are erudite, obsessed with finding further lore about the cult’s beloved entity or others like it. While the sight of eldritch powers inspires fear or worship in some, in others it can spark righteous defiance.

Personality Trait:




	d8
	Personality Trait




	1
	I see dark omens in events others find mundane.




	2
	I am convinced some of the people I meet are secret servants of a similar cult.




	3
	My experience with secret cult lairs prompts me to keep a constant eye out for illusory walls.




	4
	I think even the nicest places are hiding some foul secret.




	5
	Time heals all wounds, but it can’t fix my nightmare memories of the cult.




	6
	I drown bad memories of the cult in an indulgence of choice—drink, gambling, or company.




	7
	Certain tactile sensations or smells can send my mind reeling back to an occult ritual.




	8
	I obsess over local legends and folklore, finding significance in each story.

Personality Trait

I see dark omens in events others find mundane.

I am convinced some of the people I meet are secret servants of a similar cult.

My experience with secret cult lairs prompts me to keep a constant eye out for illusory walls.

I think even the nicest places are hiding some foul secret.

Time heals all wounds, but it can’t fix my nightmare memories of the cult.

I drown bad memories of the cult in an indulgence of choice—drink, gambling, or company.

Certain tactile sensations or smells can send my mind reeling back to an occult ritual.

I obsess over local legends and folklore, finding significance in each story.

Ideal:

d6	Ideal
1	Madness. I know what lies beyond this world. Nothing is sacred. (Chaotic)
2	Righteousness. I saw true, unbridled evil. Only good people stand against it. (Good)
3	Determination. I must be greater than the madness I came from. (Lawful)
4	Greed. I’ve seen real power, and I'd do anything to claim it. (Evil)
5	Detachment. This universe is doomed; why not enjoy myself while it lasts? (Chaotic)
6	Aspiration. I’ve glimpsed forbidden knowledge. I’m determined to do something great with it. (Any)

Bond:

d6	Bonds
1	My family raised me in the cult since childhood. They’re still out there, serving that dark entity.
2	I defied the cult leader when I left the cult. I expect that transgression to catch up to me one day.
3	Someone died saving me from the cult. It’s my goal to find their next of kin and make reparations for that noble sacrifice.
4	The cult I was in hurt people. I feel compelled to make amends for the wrongs I’ve done.
5	My contact with dark magic makes me feel unclean. I seek any sage or priest who can finally make my soul feel whole again.
6	I keep in regular contact with someone else from the cult. We try to keep each other accountable and support each other.

Flaw:

d6	Flaws
1	I push other people away for fear that I’m cursed by some dark power.
2	I think the forbidden knowledge I’ve seen makes me better than ‘common’ people.
3	I can’t resist an opportunity to contact otherworldly entities or discover taboo magic.
4	I don’t believe in even polite conversation with cultists or anyone who would sell themselves blindly to a religious institution.
5	I feel detached from the physical world and take unnecessary risks as a result.
6	I tend to interrogate people I meet, convinced they have ulterior motives for their actions.

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