5e Background: Alcoholic

Every now and then (or more often) you'll look at the backgrounds in the 5e PHB and think 'Yeah... I could somehow tailor the Entertainer/Guild Artisan to fit my celebrity chef', but that half-hearted enthusiasm isn't going to make a PC/NPC you're going to remember. I'm not ready to get cracking on the Chef yet though, so here's a warm-up for what I hope will become a series of posts in months to come.

Alcoholic

Your life presided in the bottle before you resorted to adventuring. It's possible that in a drunken moment of grandeur, you saw in yourself the potential of a hero. It's probable that you're funding your habit or proving to someone else that you're not just some worthless drunkard. Perhaps you're a reformed alcoholic who's looking for a fresh start?

Skill proficiencies: Dexterity (Sleight of Hand)
Tool proficiency: 1 gaming set of your choice OR 1 set of artisan's tools of your choice
Equipment: hip flask of your favourite liquor, notebook of the best and worst taverns you've been to, gaming set x1 OR artisan's tool set x1, a trinket that reminds of a life you used to lead, pouch containing 10 silver pieces

Feature: Liquid Courage

You know better than anyone else that wetting your throat helps with the nerves. A sip of any alcoholic beverage stronger than ale grants you advantage on saving throws against being frightened and checks against intimidation in the next 10 minutes. If you have a racial advantage against being frightened, you instead automatically succeed on such saving throws within the next 10 minutes (no auto-success for checks against intimidation).

Variant Feature: Bottle Opener

Thrice cursed be the stopper that gets between you and your drink. Unless magically sealed, you can find a way to open any bottle without spilling the contents.

Suggested Characteristics:

Although alcoholics get a bad reputation, not all are dysfunctional misfits and every one had their reasons for turning to the bottle. Whilst they may not have standards when it comes to booze, one should never underestimate an alcoholic's knowledge in this field.

d6  Personality
1. You're unpredictable. To you, any course of action is justifiable at the time.
2. You will say anything if it means getting what you want.
3. You're a touch sentimental. There's that one thing you will never touch out of respect for someone long since gone.
4. You're rehabilitated and do your best to maintain a positive perspective. When times are tough, you remember why you started drinking.
5. You've been struggling to get sober for a while now. You're often frustrated, but your spark of determination hasn't died yet.
6. You're a kind soul who puts others' needs before your own. Whilst you shoulder their burdens, alcohol shoulders yours.

d6  Ideal
1. Nihilism. Nothing matters apart from getting your drink. (Chaotic)
2. Avoidance. Drinking helps you ignore the real issues. (Neutral)
3. Commitment. The only way you can make others happy is by being someone you're not. (Good)
4. Hubris. You are never in the wrong, no matter what the rest say. (Chaotic)
5. Salvation. You will stop others from becoming what you used to be/what you are. (Lawful)
6. Tyranny. You are compelled to make others follow your example. (Lawful Evil)

d6  Bond
1. You still owe money to the barkeep. He swore he'd get it back.
2. You woke up late one morning with an unknown address written on the back of your hand.
3. The town braggart always said that you'd amount to nothing. You will prove them wrong.
4. On a bender, you did something unforgivable to your best friend that you can't remember. You've been trying to redeem yourself since.
5. He/she is crippled because of you. You seek to fulfil their dream for them.
6. If you could just see his/her face one more time, you're sure you could turn your life around.

d6  Flaw
1. The weight of reality can be overwhelming when you're sober.
2. Your breath always reeks of alcohol.
3. People feel uncomfortable in your presence.
4. Withdrawal symptom -  roll 1d4: 1) shakes 2) cold sweats 3) high body temperature 4) loss of appetite.
5. Convincing yourself to get up in the morning is difficult.
6. You're craven.



Picture credits: Girhasha and artbygabrielle