Background: Crystalmarked

Written by Taciturn

You come from another time and place, another world entirely. Through some cataclysmic event on your home world you found yourself shunted into Cambrium via the powerful, cosmic magics of the Occultation. Though there are many similarities to your world the customs and history of Cambrium is a mystery to you, and you tend to stick out like a sore thumb. Even the most well-studied scholars do not know what brings the Crystalmarked into their realm, but they are often seen as objects of scorn and fear from the common folk to objects of fascination and study from nobles and wizards. The life of a Crystalmarked is often one of danger and paranoia, unable to trust the ulterior motives of those that offer them safety.

Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Insight.
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise Kit.
Language Proficiencies: One of your choice.
Equipment: Disguise Kit, common clothes, a map of your home country and a leather pouch with 5 gp.  

Feature: Crystalmark

Through the powerful magic that brought you to Cambrium, you were permanently marked in some form or another. This can show itself in a variety of different ways, as listed below. The Crystalmark always appears to replicate the design and pattern of bismuth crystals. You can roll to determine how your Crystalmark appears or choose one that is appropriate to your character.

d6	Crystalmark
1.	Outcropping. You grow a small outcropping of bismuth-like crystals somewhere on your body, similar to scales. It cannot be picked or broken off, however it does not appear to affect your body in any way.
2.	Tattoo. You are marked with a tattoo of a repeating bismuth pattern down one of your arms or legs (Or tail if you have one). The colour seems to shift in the light.
3.	Horns. You grow a small set of horns made from bismuth crystal out the top of your head. They can be shaved down to hide them but never fully removed. Crystalmarked horns are very valuable spell components to some powerful wizards.
4.	Eyes. Your eyes take on the constantly shifting colours of bismuth ringed in gold. Bounty hunters are known to harvest Crystalmarked eyes and sell them for a hefty price.
5.	Scar. Somewhere on your body gets heavily scarred in the same curious pattern as a bismuth crystal. No amount of healing magic can remove it.
6.	Blood. Your blood takes on the shifting colours of a bismuth crystal, with flecks of gold that shimmer in the light. Similar to the outcroppings Crystalmarked blood can be a valuable spell component to some powerful wizards.

Feature: Hide In Plain Sight

You have become a master at hiding from those who wish to eradicate or experiment on you. When using your Disguise Kit you gain advantage when attempting to disguise yourself as a commoner. Similarly, when using Deception, Intimidation or Persuasion regarding your Crystalmarked identity you can add your proficiency to the roll even if you are not proficient in the skill. If you already have proficiency in the skill you can double your proficiency bonus.

Suggested Characteristics

Crystalmarked live a cursed life. Many suffer from amnesia as to how or why they ended up in Cambrium, and do not find a warm welcome from the natives here. Whether hunted, shunned, experimented on or taken in as collector pieces in a noble's treasure hoard, this chaotic lifestyle tend to make Crystalmarked skittish and paranoid, finding comfort only in others like them. They typically find themselves second guessing the motives of others even when there is no sign of foul play.

d6	Crystalmarked Personality Traits
1.	I always sit with my back to a wall and with my prized possessions in my hands, just in case.
2.	I feel a righteous indignation for my kind and want to do better by them.
3.	I am quick to agree with others to avoid confrontation.
4.	I always have an escape plan.
5.	I wear my Mark with pride, consequences be damned.
6.	I like to frighten witless commonfolk with my Crystalmark to extort items from them.

d6	Crystalmarked Ideals
1.	Freedom. I want to live a normal life again.
2.	Fear. I want to weaponize people's fears to my advantage.
3.	Justice. I will make those who have caused me and my kind to suffer pay for what they have done.
4.	Peace. One day I will make others see that we are normal people too.
5.	Isolation. I want to be left alone without worrying about being hunted down.
6.	Return. I will figure out a way to return to my home world somehow.

d6	Crystalmarked Bonds
1.	Empathy. I am moved by suffering because I know what it's like to suffer.
2.	Protection. I will be the sword and shield for those who cannot protect themselves.
3.	War. I will bring down hellfire on those who have treated me and my kind like objects.
4.	Intrigue. I want to discover the mystery as to why I was brought to this place.
5.	Community. I want to build a community for Crystalmarked where they can live in peace.
6.	Power. I will discover the secret behind the Crystalmark and take over these lands for myself.

d6	Crystalmarked Flaws
1.	I am always questioning the motives of strangers.
2.	I do not trust any promise I am given.
3.	I am openly hostile to people who show disdain for Crystalmarked.
4.	I only use violence as a last resort.
5.	I am always on high alert, which mentally exhausts me.
6.	I am so eager for peace that I can be blindly trusting of others who appear to share the same goals.