Prototypes: Group Backgrounds

Group Background

This is more of a prototype than a complete idea but I thought I could take a crack at creating a group background feature that you could add onto a group of characters with a feature they could all use as well. The idea came from Pathfinder 2E's group backgrounds, Dark Secrets from Avernus, and Shadow of the Demon Lord's Group Frameworks. Developing the ideas further for a specific adventure is probably the way to go but sometimes it can be helpful to have these kind of generic frameworks ready to riff of in the moment. It's especially useful as a device to mesh character concepts together around the adventure's main goal which normal backgrounds don't do so well. Anyhoosers here is the Shared Nemesis Group background.

"Wanted Poster at Holburn Station (London, UK)" by takomabibelot is marked with CC0 1.0

Shared Nemesis

You have been drawn together by the trespass of a powerful foe that has become your Nemesis. Rather than sit by and let them further torment others you have decided to take fate into your own hands and hunt them down. 


What did the Nemesis do to you?

1. Scarred. I survived an encounter with the Nemesis and have the scars to prove it. 

2. Betrayed. The Nemesis and I were once allies until they showed their true colors. 

3. Dishonored. The Nemesis sabotaged my reputation among my peers. 

4. Mislead.  I trusted the Nemesis but was lied to and lead astray.

5. Robbed. The Nemesis stole something of great importance to me.

6. Ruined. The machinations of the Nemesis destroyed my livelihood and legacy.


What do you want from the Nemesis should you find them?

1. Justice. They must face lawful justice for the crimes they have committed.

2. Vengeance. They must pay for what they did to me and mine.

3. Redemption. I forgive them for what they have done and must show them the error of their ways. 

4. Restitution. They must return what they have taken from me and others. 

5. Answers. I need the Nemesis to admit the truth of what they have done.

6. Glory. I want to beat them and everyone to know it was me who did it.


Background Feature: Trail of Villainy

Being wise to the ways of your Nemesis has given you an uncanny intuition for finding their trail wherever they may roam. You can recognize a mark (physical or otherwise) of their passing left on a person or a place found in your travels. Once found, you can use the mark to determine how long ago it was since they were here, and the general direction of where they've gone next. 


My hope is to develop this idea further and perhaps make more as time permits. Questions? Thoughts? Wild accusations? Tell me what you think.



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