Epic Origin: The Elden Soul (HB)

The Elden Soul: The sudden and mysterious collapse of the Old World spawned a unique type of story within Zamanora: tales of a hero who would one day arise to return the land to its rightful glory. Travelling over mountains and through time, this fable has taken many forms along the way. In the most prevalent version, the hero lies petrified in a secret place, waiting in frozen time for a moment of fate to bring them back to life. When that fateful instance occurs, the Elden Soul will return, to uncover the lost history of the Old World, vanquish great evils, and usher in an age of renewal for the realm, or choose to bury the past forever.

Legendary Origins: The appearance of an Elden Soul is not a birth so much as a working of great magic. Indeed, the hero has already been born aeons ago, when the Old World still existed. By mysterious forces of chance or preservation, the legends say they were placed in stasis, turned to marble, or lulled into a wakeless sleep, to await the moment when the time is ripe for their return. That moment too must be heralded by a magical force, as the hero can only be woken by the call of the Gamayun, or the touch of destiny's golden thread. In that moment, they will know their charge and their pedigree, and must choose to follow or reject it. When an Elden Soul awakens, their memories of the Old World, as well as their skills are hazy and dulled. The magic that set them adrift loosens their grip on the past, preventing their mind from breaking under the contrast between old and new realities. They know where they came from, but all else appears as visions under fog. Gradually, new faces and experiences will spark forgotten memories, restoring the image of a world gone by and whatever emotions those recollections carry.

The Fate of Heroes: Once awoken, an Elden Soul is drawn to multiple directions at once. The new world they find themselves in may initially overwhelm them, but soon their task becomes apparent: they must find what happened to the Old World. An ancient being that once dwelled in its elden cities might know this truth. Beings such as the dreaded lich Koschei, the Deathless, or the lord of the Gallery of Pain are bound to hold precious information regarding the passing of that age. Throughout this journey, they must become a hero anew, leading a life of adventure and fable. To that end, they are compelled to chase rumors of ancient artifacts, seek steadfast allies, face powerful foes, and consult wise sages. All the while their inner compass leads them to cross the path of those who have need, in an inexorable dance of service and reward. To the individual Elden Soul, this guiding light may lead to a blessed life of righteous toil, or it may seem a cruel leash by which they are drawn from one struggle to the next. This is all in preparation for the moment they learn the truth about the Old World; and once they do, they will have to choose if it must be resurrected, or its veracity forgotten.

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.

Adventure Sense. You have Advantage on D20 Tests made to collect information about creatures, locations or items of legendary importance.

An Age in Marble. You can call on the magic that kept your soul intact for aeons to withstand the journey. When you take damage, you can use your Reaction to reduce the damage taken by a number of d8s equal to your Proficiency Bonus. You can use this benefit once before you finish a Long Rest.

Hero's Soul. Whenever you encounter a new character, or location, or have a novel experience linked to the Old World, such as a ruin, artifact, or ancient Dragon, roll a d20. On a 10 or above, you gain Heroic Inspiration as you recall a piece of information about your past life, or a bit of lore about the Old World. The Storyteller decides what the recollection is.

Each background gives a character proficiency with one tool—either a specific tool or one chosen from the Artisan's Tools category. Gaming sets: Set | Cost | Weight Dice set | 1 sp | - Dragonchess set | 1 gp | 1/2 lb Playing card set | 5 sp | - Three-Dragon Ante set | 1 gp | -

Choose A or B: (A) Spear, Shortsword, Gaming Set (same as above), Healer's Kit, Fine Clothes, 18 GP or (B) 50 GP