Forbidden Arcana: Birth Signs
Forbidden Arcana:
Birth Signs
WHAT IS
FORBIDDEN ARCANA?
Forbidden Arcana is the name of a series of PDFs pub-
lished by Ronin Arts. The first release in the series, Eaters
of the Arcane, is a free PDF available now at www.rpg-
now.com and www.philipjreed.com. Each Forbidden
Arcana PDF presents an arcane secret that is designed to
add some wonder back into your campaign. Other
Forbidden Arcana PDFs include Magical Diseases and
Lost Spells.
In many fantasy stories the protagonist was born during a spe-
cial astrological event. The sign the character was born under
sometimes grants the character special bonuses, inspires grave
prophecies, or influences the story in any number of other ways.
This short release in the Forbidden Arcana series presents the
players and DM with a system for introducing the concept of birth
signs to their D20 System games. As always, these rules are com-
pletely optional.
Forbidden Arcana: Birth Signs is copyright 2003 Philip Reed. All text in
this book is designated as open game content. You may not distribute this
PDF without permission of Ronin Arts.
Dungeons & Dragons and Wizards of the Coast are Registered
Trademarks of Wizards of the Coast and are used with permission.
Requires the use of the Dungeons &
Dragons Players Handbook, Third Edition,
Published by Wizards of the Coast.
Written by Philip Reed
CHECKING FOR BIRTH SIGNS
Not all characters were born under a special sign. When a
character is first created after starting attributes, race, and class
have been determined the player and DM should each roll 1d20.
If either one of them rolled a 20 this character was born under
a special sign. See Selecting a Birth Sign, below.
If neither of them rolled a 20 the player must now decide
just how badly he wants his character to have a birth sign. At this
time and only at this time the player may choose to give up all
of his character s starting feats in exchange for a birth sign. If the
player does choose to sacrifice his starting feats sell Selecting a
Birth Sign, below. Otherwise, the contents of this PDF are set
aside and character creation continued as per the normal rules
found in the Player s Handbook.
SELECTING A BIRTH SIGN
Once it has been determined that the new character has a birth
sign the DM rolls 1d12 on the following table. If the player wishes
to affect the result of this roll he may choose to sacrifice attribute
points in exchange for a modification to the DM s die roll. For every
two points subtracted from any attribute the die roll is modified by
+/-1 (player s choice, decision made after the roll is made).
Once the roll has been made and modified if applicable the
resulting number indicates the character s birth sign. The player
now records this sign and the accompanying game information
on his character sheet. Character creation may now continue
normally.
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Forbidden Arcana: Birth Signs
1D12 Roll Sign
1
2
The Dragon
The Claw
OPEN GAME CONTENT
All of the text in this PDF is designated as open game
3 The Crescent Moon
content. The graphics, artwork, and layout of the PDF are
4 The Witch not open and this PDF may not be distributed without the
5 The Sword permission of the author.
6 The Lovers
7 The Thief
8 The Arrow The signs are listed in the order that they appear in the table,
9 The Demon above.
10 The King The Dragon
11 The Ghost
A sign of power and honor, those born under this sign are fre-
12 The Destroyer quently destined to become sorcerers, wizards, or powerful war-
riors.
BIRTH SIGN DESCRIPTIONS Special Bonuses: +2 bonus to any one attribute; +2 hit points;
The following birth signs are only a small selection of those Favored Class: Sorcerer.
that could be available in a game. DMs and players are encour- Negative Side-Effect: Exudes Aura of the Dragon. This
aged to expand upon this listing with signs of their own creation. aura extends 20 ft. around the character and subtly affects all
Particularly good signs should be sent to dealings with animals and those in touch with nature (such as
philip@philipjreed.com so that they may be loaded to the web druids). The character s Charisma score is reduced to 25% (round
and shared with others. down) when dealing with those affected by the aura.
The Claw
ADDING A SIGN TO AN A terrible, evil sign, those born beneath The Claw are fre-
quently manipulative, arrogant individuals.
ALREADY-EXISTING Special Bonuses: +2 to Charisma; if the character is of an evil
alignment he gains one bonus feat.
CHARACTER Negative Side-Effect: If the character is not of an evil align-
If a character is already being used the DM may choose ment he is constantly finding himself leaning toward evil tenden-
to allow a check for a birth sign. If a sign is gained after the cies. Any action the character takes that could be construed as a
character has already been used in play the DM should good action suffers a 1 unnamed modifier on any appropriate die
strive to introduce it and its affects during the course of play. rolls.
It is, to be honest, easier to not allow existing characters to
gain a birth sign. But a sign revealed during the course of The Crescent Moon
play could make for an interesting adventure. This will all Those born to the Crescent Moon are wise and patient, often
depend on the DM and the players involved. times becoming clerics, wizards, or sages.

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Forbidden Arcana: Birth Signs
Special Bonus: +2 bonus to Wisdom; Concentration 2 ranks
(and it s considered to be a class skill).
Negative Side-Effects: If the character is of any class other
than an arcane or divine spellcaster he frequently finds himself on
the wrong side of luck; subtract 2 from any die roll (including
skill checks, attacks, and saves). If the character multiclasses with
a spellcasting class he loses this side-effect.
The Witch
The Witch is a supernatural, mysterious sign as are those who
are born under it.
Special Bonuses: If the character is an arcane spellcaster he
gains one free bonus spell slot (first level only) and begins play
with one bonus spell; +2 to Intelligence or Wisdom.
Negative Side-Effects: The character s eyes are windows to
the dark, supernatural forces that exist within him. Any non-spell-
caster (excluding magical and supernatural creatures) feel uneasy
when in the presence of the character and all Charisma checks are
made at a 6.
The Sword
Those of The Sword are powerful, graceful fighters known for
their ability with swords.
Special Bonuses: +4 unnamed bonus on all attack and dam-
age rolls with swords.
Negative Side-Effect: Strength and Dexterity are both
reduced by 2 points.
The Lovers
Those with the sign of The Loves are friendly, captivating
people who can be very charming and seductive.
Special Bonuses: +2 to Charisma; +4 to all Bluff, Diplomacy,
and Gather Information checks; all [Mind-Affecting] spells are
cast as if the character were two levels higher than he actually is.
Negative Side-Effect: The character attracts others to him,
including unwanted suitors and jealous lovers. The DM should
reward the player as appropriate to his roleplaying of this side-
effect.
The Thief
Quick with their hands and known for stealth and dishonesty,
those born to The Thief are some of the most fearsome thieves of
history.
Special Bonuses: +2 unnamed bonus to all Hide, Open
Locks, and Sleight of Hand checks; +2 bonus to Dexterity.
Negative Side-Effect: The character looks dishonest and
exudes an aura that alerts others to his dishonest nature. All Bluff,
Diplomacy, Disguise, and Gather Information checks suffer a 4
unnamed penalty.
The Arrow
Legendary archers are often born beneath the sign of The
Arrow. Those born to this sign have an unnatural affinity with
thrown or other ranged weapons.
Special Bonuses: +2 unnamed bonus to all ranged attacks;
Point Blank Shot; Precise Shot.
Negative Side-Effect: While the character s skill with ranged
weapons is uncanny his abilities with melee weapons is often
clumsy and amateurish. It takes the character more training and
experience to achieve mastery with any melee weapon. All attack
and damage rolls with melee weapons suffer a 4 unnamed penal-
ty.
The Demon
Those born beneath The Demon have a dark, magical streak
to their personality and basic nature.
Special Bonuses: +2 to any one attribute, ability to cast detect
magic once per day as a second-level wizard, cast all arcane [Fire]
and [Evil} spells as a caster two levels higher than his actual char-
acter level.
Negative Side-Effect: Red, demon-like eyes that reduce
Charisma by 4 but add a +2 modifier to all Intimidate checks.
The King
Those born to The King are often great leaders, either in war,
religion, or politics.
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Forbidden Arcana: Birth Signs
Special Bonuses: +4 to Charisma, Leadership feat.
Negative Side-Effect: Natural leaders often have a difficult
time accepting and following the orders of others. When given an
order there is a 25% chance that you will refuse the order, even if
it makes perfect sense and is in your best interest. The DM should
reward the player as appropriate to his roleplaying of this side-
effect.
The Ghost
When born beneath The Ghost a person tends to have an
unnatural, twisted attachment to spirits and the undead.
Special Bonuses: Natural ability to turn or rebuke undead as
a cleric of first level. This does not increase in power unless the
character takes levels as a cleric. If the character takes levels as a
cleric he gains turns and rebukes undead as a cleric of two levels
higher than his actual level. All necromantic spells, arcane or
divine, are cast as if they character were one level higher than his
actual caster level.
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Negative Side-Effect: Undead magnet. If undead are within
100 ft. of the character they will be drawn instantly to him.
Undead and spirits will choose to attack (or otherwise interact)
with the character over any others in the area.
The Destroyer
While most who are born under The Destroyer never become
known for mayhem and destruction, those who do are legendary
individuals of destruction and terror.
Special Bonuses: +2 to any one attribute; +2 unnamed bonus
to all attack and damage rolls; any one bonus feat.
Negative Side-Effect: The character leaves a path of death
and destruction, primarily affecting those around him. Any
friends (including party members) who suffer damage while with-
in 10 ft. of the character have a percentage chance equal to the
amount of damage suffered that the damage will be doubled.
Example: A character that suffers a sword wound for 6 points has
a 6% chance that the damage will be immediately doubled to 12
points. Do not check again if the damage is doubled.
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System Reference Document Copyright 2000, Wizards of the
9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip
publish updated versions of this License. You may use any Williams, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave
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any Open Game Content originally distributed under any version
of this License. Forbidden Arcana: Birth Signs Copyright 2003, Philip Reed.
Published by Ronin Arts www.roninarts.com.
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