What is a Character Background?
The race of a character defines who they are, the class of a character explains what they do, and the background of a character reveals how they lived before joining up with the adventuring party.
From the sample backgrounds, you select four skills and a trait. A trait should, as a general rule, connect your character to the outside world in some way.
Why is a Character Background important?
Your chosen background gives a general description of your character’s life up to the point they started the adventuring lifestyle.
What does a Character Background do?
Aside from the characteristics of your backstory and history, each background has a few mechanical benefits that can be combined in a variety of ways:
· 1-2 skill proficiencies.
· 1-2 languages.
· An assortment of starting gear.
· A unique ability, typically a situational social ability.
What Character Backgrounds are available to choose from?
Acolyte
Acolytes are the clergy's junior members, usually reporting to the priest. They performed a wide range of duties at the temple and were also gifted minor spellcasting abilities by their deities.
Choose a god, a pantheon of gods, or any other divine figure to describe all the intricacies of the nature of your religious service.
You were most likely the leader of a minor cult outside of any organized temple structure, or perhaps an esoteric group that was served by a wicked master, which you now deny.
An Acolytes' background, mannerisms, and ideals would be influenced by their normal ways of life, such as their study of history, beliefs of their faith, affiliations to temples, shrines, or hierarchies.
Charlatan
You've always had a way with influential people. You have a good understanding of what makes those people tick. After a few minutes of talking, you can tease out their hearts' wishes by asking a few leading questions and reading them as if they were children's novels.
Charlatans are colorful personalities who develop masks to disguise their actual selves. They represent what individuals desire to perceive, believe, and think about the world.
Some common personality traits for a Charlatan Background are:
· I pocket anything I see that might have some value.
· I keep multiple holy symbols on me and invoke whatever deity might come in useful at any given moment.
· I have a joke for every occasion, especially occasions where humor is inappropriate.
Folk Hero
A Folk Hero is, in the end, a member of the general populace. Most folk heroes regard their poor beginnings as a strength rather than a flaw, take great pride in where they’re from, and they remain devoted to their native villages.
Your character started off as a lowly social rank as a Folk Hero 5E, but you're on your way to much greater things. Even though your characters destiny would lead you to stand against the bandits and monsters that threaten the ordinary folk worldwide, the residents of your little village regard your character as their champion.
Some personality traits of a Folk Hero would be…
· I have a strong sense of fair play, and always try to find the most equitable solution to arguments.
· I misuse long words in an attempt to sound smarter.
· I judge people by their actions, not their words.
· If someone is in trouble, I’m always ready to lend help.
Outlander
As an outlander background you have outstanding memory h in the areas of geography and maps. You can recall all types of broad layouts of terrains, settlements, and other things that are around you.
Outlander adventurers have typically grown up and been raised in the wilderness, far from civilization and technology. Outlanders are unconcerned about the formalities and trinkets that are common in city life.
Outlanders have seen species in the wild come and go, as well as herds larger than oceans pass by. They have survived various weather conditions that would easily wipe out city dwellers.
Some Personality Trait options to help you if you decide to go with the Outlander background are;
· I was, in fact, raised by wolves.
· I place no stock in wealthy or well-mannered folk. Money and manners won’t save you from a hungry owlbear.
· I feel far more comfortable around animals than people.
Sage
Devoted to scholarly pursuits, a sage values knowledge highly—sometimes in its own right, sometimes as a means toward other ideals. A sage who is dedicated to scholarly pursuits places a high value on knowledge—sometimes as a goal in and of itself, and sometimes as a means to other goals.
Sages often study the lore of the multiverse for many years. They've combed through manuscripts, read scrolls, and listened to the world's foremost experts on the topics that interest them. Of course, their dedication to their studies has put them on the fast track to becoming experts in their profession.
The Specialities a Sage can study consist of…
· Alchemist
· Astronomer
· Discredited Academic
· Librarian
· Professor
· Researcher
· Wizard’s Apprentice
· Scribe
In DnD, the Sage Background is distinguished by their vast studies, and their characteristics would reflect such a life of study. A sage who is so dedicated to scholarly pursuits always places a high value on knowledge—sometimes as a goal in and of itself, and sometimes as a means to other goals.
Sailor
You grew up aboard a ship in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by men and women who worked hard. In your travels, you've seen many wonders and witnessed many unusual incidents.
A Sailor cares more about sailing towards a new discovery than finding new worlds to colonize, new worshippers to convert, or new treasures to confiscate.
You've spent more time with the deep blue raging sea just below the decks than you have on land. You have so many bizarre stories to tell, you can practically trade them for drinks in nearly any seaside tavern or inn.
Sailors are more commonly Fighters, Rogues or Rangers. The most important thing to consider when choosing this background is, what prompted your character’s love of the sea? What methods did they use to develop their skills?
Soldier
You have a military rank as a result of your previous service.
Your character could have served in the local militia, fought in a recent conflict, or served in the national army.
You can typically access military outposts to stay, and other posts where your position is recognized and respected.
Different members of your previous military associations may recognize your standing, and they may defer to you as an authority figure if they have a lesser rank than your character.
If you chose a Soldier as your character's background, you could choose to have your character trained since childhood, having studied all sorts and applications of weaponry, and that your character has a vast understanding of how to stay alive on the battlefield. You can choose a variation of all of these, or just a few options, or other variations.
Stay tuned for D&D Character Backgrounds Part 2, soon to come...
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