Backgrounds

Every story has it’s beginning. Your background reveals where you came from, how you became an adventurer, and your place in the world.

The most important thing to ask about your background, is what has changed? Why or have you stopped doing what your background describes and start on your adventure? Why are you of the social/economical class that you’re currently in? How did you learn the skills of your class?

Who is your parentage? Are you of a magical godlike bloodline and was cast from Mt. Olympus? Are you a hybrid of a beast and man, looking to get in touch with your more sensitive side? What sets you apart from people of your background or heritage? These sample backgrounds provide concrete benefits (features, proficiencies, languages) and role playing suggestions.

Proficiencies
Each background gives a character proficiency in two skills.

In addition, most backgrounds give a character proficiency with one or more tools.

Tools are detailed in the Equipment document.

If a character would gain the same proficiency from two different sources, they can choose a different proficiency of the same kind (skill or tool) instead, or double the proficiency.

Languages
Some backgrounds also allow characters to learn additional languages beyond those given by race, and/or a written language.

Equipment
Each background provides a package of starting equipment. If you use the option to spend coins on gear, you do not receive the starting equipment from your background.

Customizing A Background
A background may be customized, same as in the original Dungeons and Dragons, 5th Edition Player’s Handbook, as can be found on the Backgrounds page of the D&D Fandom webpage, under the Customizing a Background section.