Serial Killer (5e Background)
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This page is incomplete and/or lacking flavor. Reason: The opening for this background is a bit lacking. Serial killers are the subject of various media deep-dives these days ("You", "Killing Eve", "Dexter", eg.). The fluff could use some work to do its part in exploring and providing questions and extra ideas for the player.
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Serial Killer[edit]
Murder: the most archaic and ancient of practices. To preserve this ancient and sacred art is your truest calling in life. You are a murderer. A serial killer. But why? Are you a bloodthirsty megalomaniac? Perhaps your victims are corrupt and vile individuals who bring suffering onto others? For whatever reason, you have let your passion for death guide you to the adventurer's life. This is the greatest of opportunities to share your art with the world.
Skill Proficiencies: Insight and Stealth
Tool Proficiencies: Thieves Tools, Disguise Kit, or Poisoner's Kit
Languages: One language of your choice
Equipment: A set of common clothes, your preferred murder tool, (Specifically, a knife or one-handed bludgeon of some sort. If you have another idea, talk with your dungeon master.) a token that you keep to remember your first kill, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp from your victims.
Calling Card[edit]
As a serial killer, you have developed a signature of sorts. You have a tendency to leave a mark of some sort on your victims upon their deaths.
| d6 | Calling Card |
|---|---|
| 1 | A rose or similar flower left in the victim's hand |
| 2 | A religious symbol carved into the victim's forehead |
| 3 | A poem detailing the life of your victim |
| 4 | A vague clue regarding your next kill |
| 5 | The victim's corpse placed in a peaceful resting position |
| 6 | A cry for help to alert those nearby to the victim's corpse |
Feature: On The Hunt[edit]
You have learned how to plot out your murders. As such, you have an uncanny ability to hide in plain sight. While in public locations, you may actively stalk a single creature without rousing suspicion from the target so long as you do not speak to them or their associates.
Alternate Feature: Shark-Toothed Smile[edit]
Even when you're caught red handed, you have quite the talent for talking your way out of trouble. So long as you have not faced troubles with law enforcement in the area (Specifically a village, hamlet or city) within 1 week, you are able to convince them of your "innocence", as long as you do not continue to stalk your victim for the remainder of that day. Of course, actual evidence of a murder you have committed and your involvement can negate this feature.
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am incredibly friendly. Some might say unsettlingly so. |
| 2 | I prefer to remain in my own company. Others never seem to understand me. |
| 3 | I prefer to call it an art more than killing. |
| 4 | Nothing feels better than putting a knife in someone's throat. |
| 5 | Sometimes I feel guilty, but then realize its just my imagination. |
| 6 | Death is not the end, its just a gate towards another life. |
| 7 | I'm not a murderer, the other me is. |
| 8 | I can be nice with anyone, but it's just to make people trust me before I pull my knife on them. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Cleansing: I will cleanse the world with my knife. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Artistic: Killing is an art, and I will make sure everyone can see it. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Emptiness: I can only feel like I'm alive when I'm taking lives. (Evil) |
| 4 | Sadism: I'm just simply enjoying the pleasure of causing fear and pain. (Evil) |
| 5 | Questioning: Why is killing others a crime when humans take lives constantly from other races? (Any) |
| 6 | Curiosity：What does it feel when you die? I guess I will find my answer eventually. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have an imaginary friend called Abby. |
| 2 | Instead of disposing the corpse, I keep them at my basement. |
| 3 | I kill people that remind me of someone I hate. |
| 4 | I sacrifice a victim to my god every night. |
| 5 | I know, deep down there, there is something inside me. |
| 6 | I fell in love with one of my victims. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sometimes I hesitate before I kill someone, if they remind me of a friend or a loved one. |
| 2 | I tend to only think in the moment instead of the future. |
| 3 | My eyes twitch frequently, which appears unsettling and makes people suspicious of me. |
| 4 | I tend to stay up at night planning how to murder a certain target. |
| 5 | Blood stains my clothing, hinting at what I possibly killed. |
| 6 | My bloodlust consumes me when I fight an opponent. |
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