Mythical Flavor for Backgrounds

For generating mythic background events of hellenic flavor For PCs & NPCs.
   
Introduction
n these few pages you will find various
O
tables for generating mythical and
legendary backgrounds for heroes and
villains of a mythical setting.
Such myths are not inherently heroic
nor villanous, some may simply be tragic
or tragicomical, and some might even be
favorable or relatively happy, even though that is rare.
While these are largely inspired by Greek myth, they
could also be utilized for other settings, such as Norse
or Egyptian Settings.
Assumptions of the Setting
These tables will assume that creatures referred to as
Deities and Demi-Gods (and monsters) exist on the
plain of mortals, and are able to interact with each other
in some manner or another.
Content Warning
The tables have been written inspired by greek myth
and some influences from other myths.
Due to this content warning is warranted for
implication to various unsavory things frequent in
mythology.
 
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Using the Tables
The intention of the tables is to provide a misfortune or
a fortune that has befallen a character or someone close
to the character, thus making them directly a subject of
a legendary event or a witness or companion to one.
The perpetrator of the event is referred to as the Actor,
the subject is referred to as the Target, and the
Character (Player or Non-Player) for who the mythic
background event is being generated is referred to as
Character.
The Actor
The one responsible for something of mythic quality in
regard to the Target.
d10 Actor
1 Deity
2 Demi-God
3 King (or other Ruler)
4 Mythical Monster
5 Mythical Humanoid
6 Destructive Force or Spirit
7 Champion of a God
8 Target’s Lover
9 Target’s Spouse
10 Target’s Blood Relative (1d4 on Target Relation)
The Target in relation to the Character
Some Mythical characters may not have been targets of
mythic events themselves, but rather close witnesses.
d10 Target
1 Character’s Parent(s)
2 Character’s Sibling
3 Character’s Child
4 Character’s Cousin
5 Character Themselves
6 Character’s Closest Friend
7 Character’s Lover
8 Character’s Mentor
9 Character’s Leader
10 Character’s Apprentice
How did the Actor know the Target  
What drew the Actor’s attention upon the Target, or
initially introduced them.
d12 Acquaintance
1 Due to Blood Relation (1d4 on Target Relation)
2 Due to Adoptive Relation
3 Due to the Target performing a heroic act
4 Due to the Target performing a cowardly act
5
6
Due to the Target performing a terrible act
Due to the Target performing a blasphemous act
7 Due to a Prophecy involving the Target
8 Due to the Target serving the Actor
9 Due to the Target deceiving the Actor
10 Due to the Target having opposed the Actor
11 The Actor mentored the Target
12 The Actor met the Target by chance
What the Actor feels/felt for…
Roll separately for the Character & Target if necessary.
Roll twice or thrice for potentially conflicting feelings.
d8 Feelings
1 Love
2 Hatred
3 Lust
4 Vengeance
5 Jealousy
6 Fear
7 Disdain
8 Remorse
What did the Actor do to the Target…
Or those near them.
d20 Act
1 Granted a Boon for the Target which ended happily.
2 Granted a Boon for the Target which ended tragically.
3 Stole the Target as a child.
4 Banished the Target from their Home.
5 Crippled the Target.
6 Stole part of the Target’s Soul.
7 Deceived the Target to a downfall.
8 Took the target by force.
9 Took a loved one of the target by force.
10 Physically Transformed the Target.
11 Killed the Target.
12 Killed loved ones of the Target.
13 Impregnated the Target.
14 Impregnated a loved one of the Target.
15 Drove the Target to a murderous rage.
16 Forced the Target to commit atrocious acts.
17 Had a seemingly loving affair with the Target.
18 Chose the Target as their champion or representative.
19 Punished the Target for hideous behavior.
20 Caused the target to be physically lost for decades.
What motivated the Actor…
To carry out their deeds. You may roll more than once
for more complex or conflicting motives.
d12 Motive
1 Love
2 Hate
3 Lust
4 Greed
5 Vengeance
6 Jealousy
7 Fear
8 Boredom
9 Justice
10 It was an Accident
11 It was a Misunderstanding
12 They were in a wrong place at the wrong time
If the character received a boon…
What was it?
d8 Boon
1 Ancient Treasure.
2 Secret Knowledge.
3 Legitimate Authority.
4 Physical or Mental Power.
5 Ability to Transform.
6 A lover.
7 Prophecy of future.
8 An army.
If the Character was Stolen as a child…
Who took care of them as a child.
d12 Nurtured
1 Nurtured by regular beasts.
2 Nurtured by a mythical beast.
3 Nurtured by a mythical humanoid.
4 Nurtured by an adoptive shepherd family.
5 Nurtured by an adoptive merchant family.
6 Nurtured by an adoptive soldier family.
7 Nurtured by an adoptive noble family.
8 Nurtured by a cult.
9 Nurtured by a deity.
10 Nurtured by a demigod.
11 Nurtured by a slave.
12 Nurtured by spirits.
If the Character was transformed…  
Use the “If the Character was Killed…” table to
determine who transformed them back, if applicable.
d10 Transformation
1 The opposite sex.
2 A Satyr or another similar fey creature.
3 A Frog or other minor amphibian.
4 A weasel or another minor mammal.
5 Bull, Minotaur or another bovine creature.
6 An eagle or similar prestigious bird
7 A chicken or similar mundane bird.
8 Hair became golden and shining
9 A flower or another plant.
10 A statue.
If the Character was killed…
Who or what was responsible for saving them.
d6
1
Savior
Saved by a Loved One
2 Saved by a Deity
3 Saved by a Monster
4 Saved by a Destructive Spirit or Force
5 Saved by a Prophecy
6 Saved themselves
Through what force were they saved…
d8 Method of Return
1 Love
2 Ingenuity
3 Trickery
4 Betrayal
5 Forgiveness
6 Vengeance
7 Blackmail
8 Blood Relation
7 Vision
8 Intervention of Fate
If the character was driven to rage…
Who were their victims.
d10 Savior
1 Family member.
2 All their loved ones.
3 Their closest friend.
4 Their leader.
5 Their mentor.
6 Their apprentice.
7 Their brothers-at-arms.
8 A friendly mythical beast.
9 A friendly mythical humanoid.
10 A demi-god.