Background: Addict (NSFW)

Addiction is one of those things that few people in the world can go through life without being affected by, either by your own actions or those of someone you care about. It can be hard to understand and harder to cope with. This background is as much my attempt at trying to understand my own behaviors as it is a background. It takes a mature and very respectful group to play this one, but I would imagine it's worth it.

(Download the PDF Here)

"You have no idea how easy it is to fall back into the darkness. There, down there where no guiding light exists, that is where a man learns the true extent of his willpower."

ADDICT

(Contains mature content of a serious nature. Please roleplay respectfully.)

Your life may have some measure of purpose now, but only because you were able to escape, even if only briefly, the burden of your addiction. Addiction plagues all forms of life and its black, bitter-sweet tendrils cling to those from all walks of life. Both the vagabond telling himself he drinks for warmth and the opulent spoiled noble experimenting with substances from far off lands fall victim. When the whispers of addiction are heard, the call in answered by loyal fathers living secret lives and mournful, haunted soldiers alike.

In the dark and smoke stained places where people are helpless in the face of their own desire everyone is the same.

Your addiction was the driving force in your life, the basis of most of your decisions. It may have been something you hid perfectly by keeping a secret double life from your friends and family, or your addiction might have become so intensely public that you lost everything you ever owned and every person that ever cared about you.

Whatever the case, you can only hope that you can find some brief reprieve and start to take back your life.

Skill Proficiencies: Deception and choose one of either Sleight of Hand or Stealth

Languages: Any one of your choice

Tool Proficiencies: Choose one from alchemist’s supplies, any gaming set, thieves’ tools, or disguise kit

Equipment: A set of fine or common clothing, a pouch containing 5gp, and choose one from alchemist’s supplies, any gaming set, thieves’ tools, or disguise kit according to your chosen proficiency

FEATURE: JUNKY’S SENSE

Years of associating with those who have crippling addictions have given you the ability to spot any other Addict. A twitch of the eye, a tendency to rub their hands, sweating in cold weather, or perhaps the right combination of tools left out in their house, whatever the sign, you can see it without even trying. If any character you are talking to is addicted to either a substance or behavior, you will know it at a glance. If the addiction is related to yours you can determine its nature automatically. If the addiction is substantially different than your own, you only know that the character has an addiction, not what that addiction is.

SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS

An Addict is usually secretive by nature and extremely sensitive to any curiosity or comments about their addiction. The life of an Addict is one of constant struggle against indulging, often followed by a binge. Only the strong willed and lucky are able to ever completely escape their addiction. Addicts are capable of functioning in most roles in society, dependent on the intensity of their desires. Choose an additional background as your profession or history. You do not gain any additional benefits from this background. Determine your addiction by the tables below or work with your DM to determine an addiction that makes sense for their game world.

ADDICTION (D8)

1. The thrill of winning a gamble is what I seek. Dice, cards, or even games of random chance.

2. I am addicted to the use of some magical item or concoction that gives me a glorious feeling and altered state of mind.

3. Jumping from a too high cliff, charging the enemy lines, or Ravenloft roulette with a crossbow. It doesn’t matter how I get that rush of adrenaline as long as I get it.

4. Just because I spend every night in the tavern doesn’t mean I have a drinking problem.

5. Eating is the only thing that gives me any escape from my depression, but it is also the cause.

6. It’s not just desire. I need to have sex as often as possible. It doesn’t matter who with.

7. I’ve ignored my family, my friends, and even my health in pursuit of my career. Nothing is as important as being productive.

8. I loathe to let others control me and feel a rush of superiority better than the touch of any lover when I can exert power. The more power I can amass, the better.

REASON FOR ADVENTURING (D8)

1. I was run out of town after causing a public scandal involving my family.

2. I owe an immense debt to a very dangerous person and had no other way to pay it off.

3. I seek to end the addiction to this magical item. Surely there must be a way to remove this curse.

4. My addiction caused the death of someone I care about. I must atone for that death.

5. I no longer care if I live or die. Perhaps I can do a small bit of good before I pass.

6. Escape from my situation and the people that enabled me have driven me to the open road.

7. I was caught in bed with the local magistrate’s wife. I can only hope he doesn’t find me.

8. Somewhere out there is the perfect ale. I will find it.

PERSONALITY TRAIT (d6)

1. I have never been big on personal confrontation. Why talk about it, if we can just ignore it?

2. The first thing I do in any town is seek out a place to get my fix.

3. I always like to be first. Firs out of bed, first into a dark passage, first into combat. First everything.

4. I can deflect pretty much any accusation.

5. I am constantly vowing to quit whatever I am addicted to, but never can.

6. Years of abusing magical substances have left me with a strange and unnatural distinguishing feature.

IDEALS (d6)

1. Pleasure - Life is about having a good time, not trudging through some dark dungeon. (Neutral)

2. Immediate Satisfaction- I prefer the little reward now to the larger one later.(Neutral)

3. Self Reliance- People should take care of themselves and mind their own business. (Chaotic)

4. Wealth- If I had enough money to retire, I’d spend the rest of life doing nothing. (Neutral)

5. Redemption- Everyone can get better, if they are only given the chance. (Good)

6. Greed- The only way to survive in this world is by taking what you want from those who have it. (Evil)

FLAWS (d6)

1. If called out about a mistake, I will deflect responsibility to others and seek pity as the victim.

2. It seems like everywhere I go I get mixed up with the wrong crowd.

3. Desire to satisfy my addiction is often spurred by any feeling of tension or stress, causing me to indulge at inopportune times.

4. I am unreliable when it comes to money or anything that can be exchanged for money. In a tight spot, I’d hock my shoes for a fix.

5. My teeth have long ago rotted out. Their sight and stench cause most to withdraw from me.

6. I can’t resist opening a chest or locked door. Curiosity just gets the best of me every time.

#NSFW #Backgrounds #SeriousBackground