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View Full Version : D&D 5e/Next New Background: Exile



Ninja_Prawn
2017-07-10, 03:19 AM
Long time no see, homebrewers! I just wanted to run something by you, to get a bit of a reality check. Is this interesting to you? Is it unique and distinct enough from the existing backgrounds? Do the features have the right sort of power?

Exile
Sometimes seen as a fate worse than death, exile has long been a popular sanction for radicals, dissidents and troublemakers. Exiling these people allows the authorities to remove a thorn from their sides without creating a martyr or having to keep the unwanted person in costly perpetual captivity. Many a coup or revolution has resulted in the leaders and courtiers of the old regime being consigned to exile, sometimes in a neighbouring state, sometimes on the other side of the world.

On occasion, a person may choose exile voluntarily, either as an alternative to something worse, or because they desire some time in the wilderness to grow and develop. An exile has a unique opportunity to absorb foreign cultures and make contact with émigré communities while rallying support remotely. Living in exile might provide benefits that are not available back home, such as the freedom to pursue otherwise-forbidden love interests or take advantage of more lenient tax policies, either of which could deliver the impetus to accept a self-imposed exile.

Exiles take to adventuring for a number of reasons. For some their exile was only temporary, and now they seek to embark on a dangerous journey home - and others might seek to foment rebellion in absentia so as to be welcomed as liberating heroes on their return. Some exiles are gripped by wanderlust, travelling the world with a small group of companions, while the unluckiest of all might find themselves unwelcome everywhere, leaving them no choice but to keep walking forever.

Skill Proficiencies: History, Survival
Languages: any two of your choice
Equipment: a dagger, a small strongbox, a memento from your homeland, a set of common clothes and a pouch containing 5gp

Feature: Exile Network
You keep in touch with a network of exiles and expatriates, who possess an eclectic mixture of skills and the durable spirit of pioneers. If you need to find someone with an unusual or specialised skill (such as art forgery, translation of ancient languages or poison-brewing), you likely know where to find them.

Variant Feature: Radical Sympathisers
As a prominent figurehead for a group of religious, political or ethnic radicals, you are often able to find people who sympathise with you. When you employ hirelings, they may offer you better rates, fanatical loyalty or enhanced services.

Reason for Exile
You were exiled for a reason. Choose a 'crime' or roll in the table below to determine why you were forced to leave your home.



d10
Crime


1
Opposition to political rulers


2
Tax exile


3
Religious dissenter/radical


4
Sentenced to exile for serious crime


5
Death sentence commuted to exile after committing capital crime


6
Forbidden Love


7
Refugee displaced by war or disaster


8
Escaping shameful failures committed at home


9
Fleeing false accusations


10
Self-imposed exile/journey of self-discovery


Suggested Characteristics
Being exiled is a deeply painful experience, and life as a stateless persona non grata is extremely challenging. Such a trial is sure to leave some marks on the exile’s personality.



d8
Personality Trait


1
I jump whenever anyone knocks on my door.


2
I stand by my principles, rather than compromising them.


3
Letters are my preferred means of communication.


4
I am fascinated by different cultures.


5
I sometimes become pensive and withdrawn.


6
I have a lot of interesting an unusual friends.


7
I often reminisce about my years in exile.


8
I write a lot of poetry in my spare time.




d6
Ideal


1
Homecoming. I hope to return to my homeland one day. (Any)


2
Liberty. I will live the way I want to! (Chaotic)


3
Peace. I will make the most of my time in exile, living a peaceable life. (Lawful)


4
Light in the Dark. It is on me to lead my people through the wilderness and protect them from oppression at home or overseas. (Good)


5
Revenge. I must take revenge on those who cast me out! (Evil)


6
Refuge. In these dangerous times, I must focus solely on survival. (Neutral)




d6
Bond


1
I have made many good friends in the émigré community.


2
I still write to my family back home.


3
People are counting on me as a symbol of resistance.


4
I have started a new family in my adoptive homeland.


5
I cannot return home until I have found what I am looking for.


6
I am still wanted by the courts.




d6
Flaw


1
I have trouble keeping my big mouth shut, and often end up ranting against my opponents.


2
I get in trouble with the law wherever I go.


3
I can’t seem to put down roots or form lasting connections anywhere.


4
My hatred for the people who exiled me sometimes crowds out reason in my head.


5
I prefer to work alone, and rarely seek compromise with others.


6
I’ve been away so long, I have lost touch with my family/culture/language.

suplee215
2017-07-10, 05:04 AM
The power seems equal to other backgrounds so that is good. I do wonder if it is needed. I feel like either the criminal, hermit, and (from Swordcoast Adventuring Guide) Far Traveler all fit the exile. Especially as one of the possible reasons listed for being a Far Traveler is exile.

Ninja_Prawn
2017-07-10, 06:51 AM
I do wonder if it is needed. I feel like either the criminal, hermit, and (from Swordcoast Adventuring Guide) Far Traveler all fit the exile. Especially as one of the possible reasons listed for being a Far Traveler is exile.

That's what I was most concerned about. In my view, there's a gap for this because not every exile becomes a far traveller; most will just settle in a new place. The word 'criminal' might be a factually accurate description, but the skills and traits in the background don't match up at all with what I'm going for. And hermit has an explicitly religious angle in the PHB.

Maybe I'm mistaken though.

zeek0
2017-07-10, 08:09 AM
I think that there's always room for a slightly different background. I rather like this.

I only have small critiques to offer.
-History is an intellectual pursuit. While I can imagine many exiles being nobles, I expect most to be knaves. Perhaps insight works well here?
- A different word than 'crime' is probably appropriate, since some are in self imposed exile, or perhaps never charged.
-In Africa, many national leaders are loathe to release their power. When they do, they often go into self-imposed exile so they aren't killed in their own country. Nobles in exile is a popular trope - perhaps it could be reflected here?
-The personality traits about letters and poetry don't do it for me - I don't see how this translates to other parts of my character. Also, do you mean that they reminisce about the years prior to exile?
-Everything else is rather great, and inspiring. Nice stuff here.

Ninja_Prawn
2017-07-10, 09:10 AM
I think that there's always room for a slightly different background. I rather like this.

I only have small critiques to offer.
-History is an intellectual pursuit. While I can imagine many exiles being nobles, I expect most to be knaves. Perhaps insight works well here?
- A different word than 'crime' is probably appropriate, since some are in self imposed exile, or perhaps never charged.
-In Africa, many national leaders are loathe to release their power. When they do, they often go into self-imposed exile so they aren't killed in their own country. Nobles in exile is a popular trope - perhaps it could be reflected here?
-The personality traits about letters and poetry don't do it for me - I don't see how this translates to other parts of my character. Also, do you mean that they reminisce about the years prior to exile?

Thanks for the comments.

Yeah, I mean, History is in there mainly because I'm assuming most exiles are highborn. History covers not just academic studies but also basically all the 'standard' things nobles are expected to know, so it seemed like a good fit. If not, I might lean more towards Persuasion than Insight.
I agree that 'crime' is not perfect, but I couldn't think of anything better. I feel like it can be used for all the situations if you're willing to take it more or less ironically. Open to suggestions!
That's what I was trying to get at with the 'political opposition' crime and "I jump whenever anyone knocks on my door" trait.
Fair enough. I feel like there have been some famous exiles who have influenced public opinion at home and abroad by their writing skills, but I can't recall exactly where that feeling comes from. I'm open to changing those if there are better suggestions. On the reminiscence thing, you could take it that way, but I was actually channeling the sort of counter-culture figure who remembers their years of struggle with rose-tinted fondness. That's a thing, right?

zeek0
2017-07-10, 11:02 AM
Thanks for the comments.

Yeah, I mean, History is in there mainly because I'm assuming most exiles are highborn. History covers not just academic studies but also basically all the 'standard' things nobles are expected to know, so it seemed like a good fit. If not, I might lean more towards Persuasion than Insight.
I agree that 'crime' is not perfect, but I couldn't think of anything better. I feel like it can be used for all the situations if you're willing to take it more or less ironically. Open to suggestions!
That's what I was trying to get at with the 'political opposition' crime and "I jump whenever anyone knocks on my door" trait.
Fair enough. I feel like there have been some famous exiles who have influenced public opinion at home and abroad by their writing skills, but I can't recall exactly where that feeling comes from. I'm open to changing those if there are better suggestions. On the reminiscence thing, you could take it that way, but I was actually channeling the sort of counter-culture figure who remembers their years of struggle with rose-tinted fondness. That's a thing, right?

You're right about much of this.

Perhaps a short note before the Crimes table would be appropriate. Something like: "You were exiled from your homeland for a reason, and imposed by yourself or an external force." A title like 'Reason for Exile' is unwieldy, but most accurate.

I like the idea of writing for the purpose I influencing your homeland, or setting up a new government abroad! Before it just sounded like you dabbled in poetry and had a penchant for staying in touch with old friends.

Reminiscence goes either way I suppose - the knave become king (Hal), or the exiled ruler who still dreams of silk sheets (the only example I can think of is that proverb from 'Song of Lawino', but I'm sure there's others).

Sariel Vailo
2017-07-10, 11:28 AM
This is just a little more uniqe than far traveller. Kindle some drastic romance.i was exiled for my love to a half orc bard.he sang to me we travel together now to kindle our romance

JBPuffin
2017-07-10, 02:08 PM
Considering the titles of the other "sub-backgrounds," Reason for Exile works. I like seeing properly-made backgrounds - there's practically infinite variation to be had, and every setting can have different variations, so there's always room for more.

Ninja_Prawn
2017-07-10, 02:21 PM
Considering the titles of the other "sub-backgrounds," Reason for Exile works.

Yeah. It's clunky, but I'm warming to it.

The thing with "properly-made backgrounds" is that they're so difficult to write! So much more effort than spells or monster stat blocks or even whole subclasses.

Sariel Vailo
2017-07-10, 02:53 PM
Well i like it ninja prawn.exiled for politics no i was exiled for my forbidden love.

joggler45
2017-07-11, 03:37 AM
It would be very interesting to have a new or personalized background.