Prodigy

From an early age it was clear that you had talent that was a cut above those around you. You have spent you whole life being admired for your skill and it is an integral part of your life, whether you like it or not. People working in the same field as you look up to you or are envious of your inherent skill. You have trouble relating to their feelings as it just seems to come naturally to you. You practice and fail like everyone else, but even your failures are looked at with admiration. Your success in your field has pushed you away from others both emotionally and physically. People either adore you or are jealous of you, and no one seems to understand the real “you” inside.

Skill Proficiencies: Insight and Performance

Tool Proficiencies: One language of your choice and choose (a) any set of artisan’s tools or, (b) any gaming set or, (c) any musical instrument or, (d) any vehicle. The proficiency chosen must relate to your talent.

Languages: One language of your choice

Equipment: Choose (a) any set of artisan’s tools or, (b) any gaming set or, (c) any musical instrument or, (d) any small vehicle. A degree from a school of your talent, a set of fine clothing, a book authored or co-authored by you on the subject of your talent, a letter from one of the first people to notice your work, 50 gp.

Talent

Your gift may come in many different forms. Regardless of what it is, you are a step above most people within that field. Work with your GM if you want a special talent outside of these options.

d8	Talent
1	Music
2	Writing
3	Fighting
4	Sports
5	Arcana
6	Crafting
7	Painting
8	Mathematics

Feature: Fan Base

People within your field have heard your name and most are willing to help you in whatever project you are working on. Sometimes you will find rabid fans of your work, who will go out of their way to do anything for you. Just as often you will find people jealous of you who want to sabotage your work and bring you down a notch. It is nearly impossible to tell the difference between these two groups of people when you first meet them, as both are enthusiastic about working with you. With the help of a skilled fan you can finish difficult projects or training in half the time.

Additionally, your skill is always in high demand. If you spend one day a week working within your talent you can make enough to live a comfortable lifestyle.

Variant Feature: Reviled

Your skill has caused you to make discoveries, break records, or set high bars that nobody ever wanted. You are amazing in your talent, and that has caused people to universally hate you. Even though you find it hard to get along, you are still a master in your field. Once per game session, you have advantage on one roll that pertains to your particular talent. The GM has final say over your use of this feature.

Suggested Characteristics

Prodigies can seem aloof or snobbish to those around them. They have spent their whole lives being told they are better than others, and this has likely gone to their heads. Like everyone though, they crave someone that can understand and appreciate them at a deeper level. Others have a likeable outward persona but still have trouble relating to those around them. It can be lonely at the top but even trying to explain that makes you ever more distant from those around you.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I am the best around. No one will ever keep me down.
2	I am constantly amazed that people enjoy what I do and personally thank everyone for supporting me.
3	I love teaching those around me whatever I know but I’m not always good at it.
4	People are strange. I don’t know what they want from me. Best just to work.
5	I pour so much into my work that sometimes I forget to sleep or eat.
6	My mind is constantly wandering, making concentrating on anything difficult.
7	I have a tendency to ramble on about the things that interest me, even if nobody is there to ramble to.
8	I would rather do anything else than what people know me for, but I am no good at anything else.

d6	Ideal
1	Busy. I have standards to uphold and no time for those who can’t meet them. (Law)
2	Perfectionist. If you want something done right, do it yourself. (Neutral)
3	Slob. My best performance happens while under the influence of any number of intoxicants. (Chaos)
4	Motivator. I want to inspire people to be their best possible selves. (Good)
5	Suffering. My work will be remembered for generations to come, regardless of the strain it puts on me. (Any)
6	Stark. I don’t care what those suckers like. I’m in this for the fame and fortune and I will say whatever I have to say in order to get it. (Evil)

d6	Bond
1	I believe my mentor is greater than I will ever be, and I strive every day to impress them.
2	My fans are my true family.
3	I consider my work to be like a child to me. I am closer to it than anyone else.
4	I practice harder every day to impress an unrequited love.
5	My muse is an extra-planar being that is not always good to me.
6	I feel empty inside and just want someone to help fill that void. Anyone will do…

d6	Flaw
1	I feel like a fraud. My work is terrible, and everyone is just too polite to tell me otherwise.
2	I have a lot of trouble starting anything. I plan, research, and plan some more, but I just can’t seem to start.
3	What do you mean you don’t know my name!?
4	I steal the work, plans, or ideas of others and pass it off as my own.
5	I have dark and terrible dreams every night. I work to forget them.
6	I hate seeing others succeed.