Character Creation
Have each of your players choose from the tables below when building their characters.
BACKGROUNDS
A player character's background represents their role in the adventure—how they might approach and interact with the world around them.
The party receives a point of Inspiration each time you:
use your background to meaningfully connect with or relate to a non-player character
achieve a meaningful goal connected to your background
d12 | Background | Description |
|---|---|---|
1 | Hunter | You're a hunter of monsters. |
2 | Occultist | You're a scholar of the occult. |
3 | Faithful | You're an individual of faith. |
4 | Crusader | You're a crusader against darkness. |
5 | Amnesiac | You're a person without a past. |
6 | Accursed | You're the victim of a terrible curse. |
7 | Naturalist | You're a friend to nature. |
8 | Revenant | You're a beneficiary of resurrection. |
9 | Outcast | You're an exile from your community. |
10 | Mercenary | You're a killer for pay. |
11 | Survivor | You're the survivor of a deadly event. |
12 | Companion | You're dedicated to another player character |
Motivations
A player character's motivation represents their reason for entering Barovia—the desire that drives them throughout the adventure.
The party receives a point of Inspiration each time you:
satisfy a meaningful aspect of your motivation
make a meaningfully poor decision driven by your motivation
d12 | Motivation | Description | Relic |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | The Arcanist | You crave forbidden knowledge. | The Amber Shard |
2 | The Orphan | You crave the family you never had. | The Wanderer's Scarf |
3 | The Afflicted | You crave healing for your malady, wound, or affliction. | The Wolf's Tooth |
4 | The Sentinel | You crave a reunion with someone thought lost to you. | The Silver Locket |
5 | The Aspirant | You crave an opportunity to prove your worth. | The Tattered Banner |
6 | The Pilgrim | You crave a sign from the divine. | The Sunrise Medallion |
7 | The Avenger | You crave vengeance for your family. | The Broken Blade |
8 | The Scion | You crave knowledge of your lineage. | The Dragon's Scale |
9 | The Profiteer | You crave wealth, and the freedom to spend it. | The Electrum Coin |
10 | The Warden | You crave balance and harmony. | The Stone Crest |
11 | The Penitent | You crave an opportunity for redemption. | The Angel's Feather |
12 | The Follower | You crave an opportunity to prove your dedication to or protect another player character. | None |
Arcs
A player character's arc is their journey to self-actualization—their struggles with a deep-seated flaw, and their efforts to conquer it.
The party receives a point of Inspiration each time you make a meaningfully poor decision driven by your flaw.
The party receives two points of Inspiration each time your flaw causes meaningful harm to yourself or the party.
The party receives three points of Inspiration if you complete your arc and conquer your flaw.
d12 | Arc | Description |
|---|---|---|
1 | The Addict | You must learn to conquer your vices. |
2 | The Cynic | You must learn to hope again. |
3 | The Doubter | You must learn to accept faith once more. |
4 | The Coward | You must learn to stand against adversity. |
5 | The Wrathful | You must learn to control your rage. |
6 | The Mourner | You must learn to move past your grief. |
7 | The Recluse | You must learn to open yourself to others. |
8 | The Innocent | You must learn to beware the darkness of the world. |
9 | The Cutthroat | You must learn to value mercy and compassion. |
10 | The Zealot | You must learn to release your hubris and self-righteousness. |
11 | The Gambler | You must learn to value prudence and caution. |
12 | The Caretaker | You must learn to aid others in their journeys. |
Bonds
A player character's bond is a wound from their past—a keystone experience that shaped their outlook on the world.
The party receives a point of Inspiration each time you:
use your bond to meaningfully connect with or relate to a player or non-player character
make a meaningful decision driven by your bond
d12 | Bond | Description |
|---|---|---|
1 | The Abused | One of your siblings was cruel to you as a child. |
2 | The Pursued | You were pursued by an unrelenting suitor. |
3 | The Refugee | Your home was devastated by war. |
4 | The Remnant | Someone you loved died too young. |
5 | The Faithless | You've suffered zealotry at its worst. |
6 | The Subjugated | Your community was ruled by a cruel lord. |
7 | The Fallen | You fell onto a dark path—and you don't know how to turn back. |
8 | The Fraud | You're terrified that you won't live up to expectations. |
9 | The Divided | Your family was split by a bitter feud. |
10 | The Persecuted | You know what it's like to be persecuted for your beliefs. |
11 | The Nostalgic | You long for a world that dwells only in memory. |
12 | The Ally | You've seen a friend struggle with their demons. |