Dungeons & Dragons 5e Background: Purified by the Church of Feathered Hope
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Purified by the Church of Feathered Hope
Something happened to you that shook you to your core. The decrept that wander the northwest plain got to you. You may have been quite ill from their touch, or even hear dead, perhaps your mind was fouled and did dark deeds. Whatever the case, the church has since purified you, put you to the test of the flame and you have come out with your sins burned away. Now you are a respected part of the church, but to ever leave would be total exile.
You are one of the most dedicated members of the Church of the Feathered Hope. Perhaps you dedicate yourself through military service, protecting the Pinion Dominion from the undead scourge. You are considered to be a bridge between the Purifier and her interests here on the mortal realm. Even if you haven't done military service, you are considered to hold a rank and be able to command troops who are not Purified. Your duties may include community service, military drills, or construction tasks maintaining the church's holdings. Or you may adventure on behalf of the church.
You are permitted to hold services on behalf of the church when you are away from towns with an established temple or for small gatherings with the knowledge of the local clergy. But they will regard you as friends and fellow worshippers when you present your holy symbol to them.
Features
Feature: Wing's Embrace
As a respected member of the church you can lead religious services and gain access to places that are off limits for the regular congregation. This includes sanctified sites such as the Purifier's Nest or the library in Carcassonne. Temples dedicated to the Purifier will provide healing to you at no cost and can provide the material components for half cost when available. Each Purified is granted a Rebirth in Fire if they were ever to perish. As long as the body is returned to the Cardinal within 10 days of death, he will perform the ritual. If you have pleased the Purifier with your thoughts and deeds, then she will return you to life as if by Resurrection. This is done at no cost to you.
You are able to cast the 1st level spell Ceremony as a ritual, but at double the usual cost in silver dust.
Suggested Characteristics
Purified might seem like they are just extensions of the church, but they can be quite varied. But all have had some sort of dark past that has now been wiped away.
Traits
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | My ecclesiastical studies have given me a favorite parable or war story for any situation. Let me tell you the tale. |
| 2 | I'm confident that nothing too bad can happen. Even when it does, I have trouble believing it can't be overcome. |
| 3 | Poems and prayer have become the way that I center myself. |
| 4 | I'm really trying to make phrases like 'As it was foretold' a thing. |
| 5 | My dad-joke energy leads me to make puns relating to feathers and birds because of my particular faith. |
| 6 | The rituals and performance of duties of being Purified has made me a little naïve to the world outside the church. I haven't spent much time outside of my home city. |
| 7 | The creature comforts of the temple are familiar to me. Living outside of that comfort is jarring and uncomfortable to me. |
| 8 | I fashion myself to be an author of an important text. My adventuring journals are given to the church and kept for future record keeping. I'm honored to have such a responsibility. |
Ideal
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Righteousness. Doing what is right is its own reward, I'll be judged on my deeds. |
| 2 | Respect. I have done things I am not proud of in the past, I consider that before I look down on others. |
| 3 | Forgiveness. I have been given a second chance, I wish to extend that to others as well. |
| 4 | Creativity. The church is a major benefactor of art, I try to extend that forward into my own life. |
| 5 | Empathy. I know I don't always understand, but I'd like to. My vulnerability becomes my strength. |
| 6 | Charity. I accept that I can't directly save everyone, but I can do my best to share wealth when I have it to make things better for others. |
Bond
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I was saved from the undead by a clergy member of the Church at a young age. They took me under their wing as my mentor. |
| 2 | Back home I have the absolute best dog, my younger relative is taking care of it for now. If anything happened to that dog I don't know what I'd do. |
| 3 | I have been a part of my local temple since before I was Purified, it doesn't matter who's in charge there I'll always come back to that building. |
| 4 | One of my loved ones sponsored me during a difficult time. I aim to do them proud now. |
| 5 | The word is sacred to me and the cathedral in Carcassonne has one of the most lovely libraries of all sorts of literature and knowledge. I'm bound to it, but also have a library card. |
| 6 | My mentor was taken by illness and passed on. Their confidence in me calls me to be the best person I can be, in their memory. |
Flaw
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a distain for people who haven't undergone the religious training I have. |
| 2 | I trust my superiors in the church, that is why they are my superiors. |
| 3 | My pride sometimes gets the best of me, I can't help but defend my beliefs sometimes even when they aren't under attack. |
| 4 | I assume the best in others if they show outward signs of following the Purifier, sometimes to my own detriment. |
| 5 | Whatever I did, now I am overly repentant and don't believe that I deserve better. I will accept less than I deserve as a self inflicted but unnecessary penance. |
| 6 | I second guess my worth, often focusing on my mistakes and failing to see the positive influence I am on the world now. |
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