Epic Origin: The Drangue (HB)

The Drangue: In every age, when storms blacken the skies and the earth trembles as the Kulshedra stirs, tales of the Drangue are told anew. The Drangue is a legendary warrior whose strength defies mortal measure, bound by a cosmic destiny to battle the fabled Kulshedra. Each age knows but one such child, born when the monstrous, three-headed balaur appears, whose awakening will threaten the very existence of the realm.

Birthmarked: Ever since their birth, a Drangue is marked by destiny. Such a mark also manifests physically, granting them traits that distinguishes them from their biological species. Hidden beneath their arms lie small feathers that grow back even if plucked, while in the rarest of occasions, a caul covers their heads at birth, like a hood. Finally, the skin of their chest emits a faint glow, giving rise to the claim that they do not possess a normal heart but one made of gold, crowned by a jewel. From an early age, they possess strength that defies mortal limitations, which only grows after they reach maturity. This extraordinary prowess usually lands them positions of manual labor; tending the fields in the absence of an ox, cutting down trees, or even diverting rivers.

Destiny of Battle: Regardless of the blessing the birth of a Drangue may bring to the denizens of a settlement, it is also a grim reminder for a great upcoming calamity; the Kulshedra. When this dormant evil is close to stirring into action, the stars themselves summon the birth of a Drangue, one of the only beings capable enough to stand against its destructive powers. As the years pass, visions and dreams of the three-headed beast haunt a Drangue's waking hours, leaving no doubt in their mind of their destiny. When their purpose becomes clear, it is up to them to prepare for the final confrontation with the Kulshedra. Some may attempt to reject their destiny, hiding away behind the veil of a different life. Throughout history, however, they too will eventually answer the call, inexorably drawn towards the inevitable confrontation, until finally these two primordial forces clash in battle, ending only when one of them falls. Besides relying on their own capabilities, a Drangue has almost never been able to take down the Daughter of Storms alone. However, their very presence becomes a beacon for all those who wish to banish the darkness of the Kulshedra, and many powerful figures would gather beneath the Drangue's stead. One of the most notable such allies are the Svyatogor's Banner, a group of warriors whose life-long purpose is to prepare for the coming of the Kulshedra, and ride into battle alongside the Drangue so that the chosen warrior may land the final blow.

A background lists three of your character's ability scores. Increase one by 2 and another one by 1, or increase all three by 1. None of these increases can raise a score above 20.

Epic Origin Feats are reserved solely for Epic Origins. You gain the following benefits.

Apex Predator. Whenever you deal damage to a Dragon with an attack or spell, you can add your Proficiency Bonus to one damage roll.

Colossal Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can lift, push or drag.

Winged. As a Bonus Action you can unfurl or hide your wings. You have a Fly Speed equal to your Speed while your wings are unfurled. You can't use this Flying Speed if you are wearing Medium or Heavy Armor.

Each background gives a character proficiency with one tool—either a specific tool or one chosen from the Artisan's Tools category.

Artisan's tools:

Choose A or B: (A) Backpack, Bedroll, 10 days of Rations, Rope, 10 Torches, Waterskin, 1 Artisan's Tools set (same as above), 1 Shovel, 1 Pole, 14 GP or (B) 50 GP