Planescape Faction Backgrounds: Madmen and the Takers
After a brief hiatus, we return to the wonderful world of Planescape faction backgrounds. Today’s selection brings us two of the more plug-and-play factions – the Bleak Cabal and the Fated. These two factions are straight forward when compared to their peers, certainly. Honestly, I had forgotten how neat the Bleak Cabal really is, and revisiting it was a joy. I did not forget what jerkwads the Fated are, however.
Planescape Faction Backgrounds: Athar and Believers of the Source | Mercykillers and Society of Sensation | Dustmen and Xaositects | Bleak Cabal and the Fated
Bleak Cabal
In the multiverse, it is foolish to believe there is any sort of higher plan. There is no great philosophical design. There isn’t an underlying metaphysical design. While this might seem similar on the surface to the beliefs of the Free League or the Xaositects, nothing could be further from the truth. There is no revelry in the chaos of it all. There is no belief that since nothing is true, the only thing that matters in the self. Instead, the Bleakers – one name for members of the Bleak Cabal – believe that since there is no greater truth, it is all the more important for your actions to matter to others. Only you can create your reason for existing.
The Bleak Cabal claims the Gatehouse as their headquarters – a place most other denizens of Sigil avoid. The insane asylum causes fear and discomfort in many otherwise-hardened adventurers. Not so for the Madmen – a moniker given to the members of the Bleak Cabal serving in the Gatehouse. It is here Bleakers learn the core tenets of the faction – charity, aid, and self-creation. If you are not willing to do it yourself and help those who are less fortunate, who will?
As a Bleaker, were you affected by their generosity and chose to give back to others? Were you a resident within the Gatehouse and recovered under their care? Are you looking to atone for your past actions or the actions of your family?
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Medicine
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit or one artisan tool of choice
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A weathered herbalism kit or artisan tool matching your tool proficiency, 10 candles, a set of common clothes, healer’s kit, a mess kit, a bedroll, a tinderbox, 10 sheets or parchment, ink pen, ink (1 ounce bottle)
Feature: Charitable Opportunities
In the different gate cities, the Bleak Cabal can be found helping with different causes across the planes. At any chapter of any gate city, a member of the Bleak Cabal can find a list of different causes that might need additional assistance. Helping with the cause affords you and any associates assisting with room, board, and access to any donated goods – such as those left in wills to the faction by those they are caring for.
Suggested Characteristics
Bleakers are individuals looking to aid those in need. This doesn’t mean they are gullible fools who are easily tricked – far from it – but it does mean they often give questionable souls the benefit of the doubt. Still, Bleakers are not bound by any code or oaths. They serve because they want to do so and belief that they should. If they no longer feel like their service is helpful or necessary, they simply stop their service. Most find the Bleakers to be a comforting presence in the planes, and accept their assistance.
d8 | Personality Trait |
1 | I work with the sick when no others will. |
2 | The plight of the poor speaks to me. |
3 | I defend those who cannot defend themselves. |
4 | I will always hear a request for help, even from foes. |
5 | Unquiet minds need my help the most. |
6 | My satisfaction comes from creating. |
7 | I help those unable to ask for my help. |
8 | Leading by example is the best way to instruct others in how to be charitable. |
d6 | Ideal |
1 | Advocate. Speak for the need for aid is discovered (Lawful) |
2 | Authentic. Live in accordance with the self you create (any) |
3 | Belief. Sometimes, all people need if for someone to believe them – until proven otherwise (Lawful) |
4 | Charity. Those with plenty should strive to aid those without (Good) |
5 | Facticity. The past cannot be changed, but only matters in the value you ascribe to it (any) |
6 | Forgiveness. To be able to forgive past transgressions is truly a great gift (Good) |
d6 | Bond |
1 | The Bleak Cabal showed kindness to someone I care about. |
2 | I was a miser and uncharitable until the Bleak Cabal aided me in an hour of need. |
3 | I was once a patient in the Gatehouse. |
4 | I used to have faith in a greater plan, until my hour of need arrived and that faith was broken. |
5 | I believe I have limited time left, and a lot to make up for. The Bleak Cabal can show me how. |
6 | I have witnessed horrors enough, and desire to make things better. |
d6 | Flaw |
1 | I give aid freely – even to those I call foe. |
2 | I have little patience for faith. |
3 | Consequences should not define my actions. |
4 | Danger is not a reason to withhold assistance. |
5 | I am too eager in believing people are following my example. |
6 | Sometimes what I offer isn’t mine to give. |
Fated
If you possess the power and ability to take from others, you possess the right to do so. The multiverse belongs to those who seize control of it. Your fate rests not in the plan of supreme beings or a greater mystery of the unknown, but in your own hands. Nothing in life is free. If you fail, don’t blame your failures on others. It’s because you are too weak to succeed.
The Fated – known as the Heartless or the Takers – can be found in in their headquarters in the Hall of Records. The Fated do not work to ingratiate themselves to others, serving as Sigil’s tax collectors and debt recorders. That isn’t to say the Fated are unwilling to assist others – just that assistance is always meticulously recorded. You can be nothing if not certain this debt will require repayment.
As a Fated, what caused you to adopt the philosophy of the faction? Did someone fail you in the past in a time of need? Were your actions scorned by others, but you see them as the only reasonable course of action still to this day? What are your personal goals within the planes and Sigil?
Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Forgery kit
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A forgery kit, a set of fine clothes, merchant’s scale, lantern, five flasks of oil, tinderbox, a mess kit, a bedroll, a two-person tent, a belt pouch containing 20 gp
Feature: The Ledger
You have access to the debt and tax records kept by the Fated in most gate towns and in Sigil. In exchange for a small fee or favor, you may look through these records to discern who owes outstanding debts or taxes, and for what reason. While not guaranteed, these ledger entries also possess marginalia regarding the nature of the individual in question, as well.
Suggested Characteristics
The Fated are tightly contained, and pride themselves on giving away nothing more than they feel is strictly necessary. Every action one of the Fated takes needs to answer the driving question “what can I gain from this?” That doesn’t mean that the Fated are cruel or evil. It simply means they put themselves first – always and forever. Sometimes, having someone like that on your team can be a huge benefit. Other times, it’s decidedly less of a benefit.
d8 | Personality Trait |
1 | I delight in deals. |
2 | Everyone has a weakness, and it’s up to me to discover it. |
3 | I always repay my debts. |
4 | Nothing is free. |
5 | The powerful deserve their place. |
6 | The foolish deserve to be fooled. |
7 | It’s up to the lender to determine the interest. |
8 | I can only count on myself. |
d6 | Ideal |
1 | Authority. The powerful make the rules, and the weak must follow them (Lawful) |
2 | Balanced. I should never be in debt to others, and no one should be in debt to me. All must be repaid (Lawful) |
3 | Control. The multiverse is mine to control (any) |
4 | Earned. Everything I have, I earned (any) |
5 | Justice. Others cannot be trusted to govern themselves, and I must do it for them. (Good) |
6 | Power. Only power matters, and I will be the most powerful (Evil) |
d6 | Bond |
1 | I was in debt, but worked myself free and found acceptance with the Fated. |
2 | I took on the debt of a loved one. |
3 | When I needed help most, I was abandoned. The lessons of the Fated will ensure that doesn’t happen again. |
4 | There is one debt that has come due, and I will be the one to collect it. |
5 | A Fated seized power when I was a child, and it inspired me. |
6 | I took ownership of the debts of others to protect them, but I must see them through. |
d6 | Flaw |
1 | I don’t back down from a challenge. |
2 | What’s in it for me? |
3 | I overestimate what I am capable of taking, at times. |
4 | Not acknowledging a weakness is the same as not having one. |
5 | No one can possibly be as clever as I am. |
6 | I deserve everything, and nothing less than everything. |