Unfulfilled quests are also sad. A bard who sets out to find a long - lost song that could bring peace to a war - torn land but fails due to various obstacles. They end up returning empty - handed, knowing that the land will continue to suffer, which can be a source of deep sadness for the character.
Betrayal is another one. Imagine a cleric who trusts a fellow adventurer completely, only to be betrayed when that person steals a powerful artifact the cleric was supposed to protect. This can lead to a great sense of loss and sadness, as the cleric not only loses the artifact but also their trust in others.
Death of comrades is a common element. When a character loses their friends or party members in a battle or through some cruel plot, it can be extremely sad. For example, a fighter might see his best friend, a rogue, get killed by a backstabbing assassin.
Well, in a DND sad dungeon story, the setting itself is a big element. Dungeons are usually dark, damp, and full of secrets. There are often lost or doomed souls within. For instance, the bard whose lyre was broken. The actions of the adventurers can also lead to sadness. Like when the party left the goblin or when the rogues left their comrade. And then there are the mysteries that hold a sense of sorrow, such as the diary in the dungeon that told of past tragedies. All these work together to make the story sad.
Dark and spooky locations are common. For example, old castles, haunted forests, or abandoned asylums. Another element is the presence of undead creatures like zombies, skeletons, or ghosts. Curses also play a big role. A character might be cursed by an evil witch or a powerful artifact, which brings all sorts of misfortune and horror. And often, there's a sense of isolation, where the adventuring party is cut off from help or civilization.
One of the common elements in DND back stories is the character's motivation. This could be revenge for a wrong done to them or their family. For example, a character's village was destroyed by a group of bandits, and now they seek vengeance. Another is a special item or heirloom. It could be a magical sword passed down through generations that holds a special power. Additionally, there are often encounters with supernatural beings in the back story. Maybe the character once met a fey in the forest and was given a task that has shaped their life.
One sad story could be about a character who was a paladin. He dedicated his life to serving the good and protecting the innocent. But during a battle against a powerful demon, his entire party was wiped out. He survived, but lost his faith in the face of such overwhelming evil and despair. He then wandered the lands alone, a broken shell of his former self, haunted by the memories of his fallen comrades.
One common element is a connection to nature from a young age. For example, a druid might have grown up in a rural area surrounded by forests or fields. Another is an encounter with a powerful or wise natural being, like an ancient tree spirit or a magical animal. Also, many druid back stories involve some sort of event that makes them more committed to protecting nature, such as seeing their homeland deforested by invaders.
One common element is misunderstanding. For example, in many CP sad stories, one person may misinterpret the actions or words of the other, leading to a breakdown in the relationship. Another element is external pressure, like family or society not approving of their relationship. For instance, if a couple is from different religions, their families might oppose them being together.
One common element is miscommunication. Couples often fail to truly understand what the other is thinking or feeling, which can lead to big problems. For example, in a sad story, a couple might break up because one thought the other didn't care, when in fact they were just bad at expressing their love.
One common element is miscommunication. For example, if one person thinks it's a casual date and the other thinks it's a serious romantic one, it can lead to disappointment. Another is external factors like bad weather ruining a planned outdoor date. Also, past issues coming up unexpectedly can turn a date sour.
Loss is a common element. It could be the loss of a loved one, like in the case of the orphan. Another common element is betrayal. For example, the old dog that was betrayed by its owner. Also, a sense of being out of place or not belonging, like the soldier who couldn't fit back into his family after the war.
Loss is a common element. It could be the loss of a marine animal's life, like the dolphins that die from getting caught in fishing nets. Another is the destruction of habitats. For example, when mangrove forests are cut down, the marine life that used to thrive there loses their homes.