You left behind a life that was not your own, fleeing from an oppressive master, a cruel family, an arranged fate, or a dark past. Whether you escaped captivity, servitude, or a future you refused to accept, you have spent your life on the run, always watching over your shoulder. The road has been harsh, but it has taught you how to survive—how to disappear, how to find shelter where none seems to exist, and how to blend in when needed.
You may have started anew, but the past is rarely so easily abandoned. Perhaps those you fled from still hunt you, or maybe you fear that one day you will be forced to return. You may fight to carve a new path, embrace the freedom you gained, or live with the ever-present paranoia that your old life will catch up with you.
Faded Identity
You are skilled at altering your appearance, mannerisms, and speech to avoid recognition. When hiding your true identity, casual observers rarely connect you to your past unless they have personal knowledge of you. Additionally, you have an instinct for identifying safe havens, knowing where to find sympathetic individuals willing to shelter someone on the run—whether out of kindness or a shared distrust of authority.
Suggested Characteristics
Runaways are shaped by their pasts, whether as survivors, fugitives, or rebels against fate. Some seek redemption, while others struggle with paranoia and fear. Many have trouble trusting others, while some embrace their newfound freedom with reckless abandon. Whether they run toward something or away from it, the past always lingers at their heels.
Personality Traits
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|
| 1 | I am always alert, scanning my surroundings for an escape route. |
| 2 | I avoid forming deep attachments—losing people hurts too much. |
| 3 | I am resourceful and adaptable, able to make do with whatever I find. |
| 4 | I keep a low profile, avoiding unnecessary attention at all costs. |
| 5 | I cherish my freedom above all else and refuse to be caged again. |
| 6 | I am haunted by nightmares of my past and sometimes wake in a panic. |
| 7 | I never stay in one place for too long—it’s too dangerous. |
| 8 | I have a reckless streak, taking risks just to feel truly alive. |
Ideals
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|
| 1 | Freedom. No one will ever control me again. (Chaotic) |
| 2 | Justice. I will make sure others never suffer as I did. (Good) |
| 3 | Survival. I do what I must to stay alive, no matter the cost. (Neutral) |
| 4 | Revenge. Those who wronged me will pay. (Evil) |
| 5 | Redemption. My past does not define me—I will prove myself. (Any) |
| 6 | Secrecy. The past must remain buried—no one can ever find me. (Neutral) |
Bonds
| d6 | Bond |
|---|
| 1 | I have a token from my past—a locket, a letter, a name—I cling to it. |
| 2 | Someone helped me escape, and I owe them everything. |
| 3 | I fear my old captors are still hunting me, and I must stay ahead of them. |
| 4 | I lost someone during my escape, and I will find them again someday. |
| 5 | I found a new purpose after fleeing, and I will protect it at all costs. |
| 6 | I ran from an arranged marriage, a forced duty, or a life I never wanted. |
Flaws
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|
| 1 | I trust no one—not even those who have helped me. |
| 2 | I change names and identities so often that I sometimes forget my real one. |
| 3 | I am paranoid, constantly expecting betrayal or capture. |
| 4 | I avoid conflict at all costs, even when it means abandoning others. |
| 5 | I lie compulsively, even when there’s no reason to do so. |
| 6 | I struggle with guilt over those I left behind. Did I abandon them? |
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