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Faceless

Source: Baldur's Gate - Descent into Avernus (5e 2014).

Being who you are, you could never be a hero. Whether due to your class, your people, your family, or your sins, something about you prevents you from effectively pursuing the path you've chosen. Even so, that doesn't stop you. You've left your old face behind, taking on a new persona, becoming something more. Characters with the faceless background don a disguise—literally or otherwise—as they adventure. This persona might be dramatic or subtle. In a way, though, many characters have such larger than life personalities. Therefore, this background largely focuses on detailing the hero behind the mask. Source: Baldur's Gate - Descent into Avernus

Benefits

Feature Details
Skill Proficiencies Deception
Intimidation
Tool Proficiencies Disguise kit
Languages One of your choice
Equipment A disguise kit Value:25gp Weight:3lbs
a costume Value:5gp Weight:4lbs
and a pouch Value:5sp Weight:1lb containing 10gp Features Faceless Persona A faceless character adventures behind a mask of a public persona. This persona is as natural to them as their hidden
true face
but it disguises their identity. Roll on the Faceless Persona table to determine your persona
or work with the DM to create a persona that's unique to your character
suits the tone of your game. d10 Faceless Persona 1 A flamboyant spy or brigand 2 The incarnation of a nation or people 3 A scoundrel with a masked guise 4 A vengeful spirit 5 The manifestation of a deity or your faith 6 One whose beauty is greatly accented using makeup 7 An impersonation of another hero 8 The embodiment of a school of magic 9 A warrior with distinctive armor 10 A disguise with animalistic or monstrous characteristics
meant to inspire fear Dual Personalities Most of your fellow adventurers
the world know you as your persona. Those who seek to learn more about you—your weakness
your origins
your purpose—find themselves stymied by your disguise. Upon donning a disguise
behaving as your persona
you are unidentifiable as your true self. By removing your disguise
revealing your true face
you are no longer identifiable as your persona. This allows you to change appearances between your two personalities as often as you wish
using one to hide the other or serve as convenient camouflage. However
should someone realize the connection between your persona
your true self
your deception might lose its effectiveness. Suggested Characteristics A faceless character usually plays their persona—the hero or extraordinary person they are every day. That's all a facade
though
or a part of them expressed to an extreme. To define a persona
feel free to choose characteristics from other backgrounds
particularly folk hero
hermit
or noble. For the person behind the persona
the one who truly strives to be faceless
consider a distinct set of faceless characteristics. As a result
those with this background have two sets of characteristics
one for their persona
and one for their faceless selves. Personality Traits d8 Personality Trait 1 I'm earnest
uncommonly direct. 2 I strive to have no personality—it's easier to forget what's hardly there. 3 I treasure a memento of a person or instance that set me upon my path. 4 I sleep just as much as I need to
on an unusual schedule. 5 I think far ahead
a detachedness often mistaken for daydreaming. 6 I cultivate a single obscure hobby or study
eagerly discuss it at length. 7 I am ever learning how to be among others—when to stay quiet
when to laugh. 8 I behave like an extreme opposite of my persona. Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Justice. Place in society shouldn't determine one's access to what is right. (Good) 2 Security. Doing what must be done can't bring the innocent to harm. (Lawful) 3 Confusion. Deception is a weapon. Strike from where your foes won't expect. (Chaotic) 4 Infamy. My name will be a malediction
a curse that fulfills my will. (Evil) 5 Incorruptibility. Be a symbol
and leave your flawed being behind. (Any) 6 Anonymity. It's my deeds that should be remembered
not their instrument. (Any) Bonds d6 Bond 1 I do everything for my family. My first thought is keeping them safe. 2 What I do
I do for the world. The people don't realize how much they need me. 3 I've seen too many in need. I must not fail them as everyone else has. 4 I stand in opposition
lest the wicked go unopposed. 5 I am exceptional. I do this because no one else can
and no one can stop me. 6 I do everything for those who were taken from me. Flaws d6 Flaw 1 I an callous about death. It comes to us all eventually. 2 I never make eye contact or hold it unflinchingly. 3 I have no sense of humor. Laughing is uncomfortable
embarrassing. 4 I overexert myself
sometimes needing to recuperate for a day or more. 5 I think far ahead
a detachedness often mistaken for daydreaming. 6 I see morality entirely in black
white.