Background Catalog

You can forge most documents or mimic voices flawlessly. You have a criminal contact in most major cities. However, your reputation often precedes you—until you prove yourself to be trustworthy.

Unnatural Resilience: You are immune to disease and do not need to eat, drink, or breathe. Children, animals, and Celestials are uneasy in your presence; many will be horrified to discover your true nature.

School just isn't for everyone! You learn by experience in the real world (or at least that's what you tell yourself). Learn any 1 Utility Spell.

(Req. 0 or negative DEX at character creation.) Whenever you fail a DEX-related roll (e.g., DEX attack, DEX save, Stealth check, Finesse check), you may roll again. If you still fail, the consequences are BAD.

Can be thrown by a larger ally, REALLY far. Half damage from falling and forced movement.

You have fought your fair share of duels, and you know how to get the audience riled up. While fighting in an arena setting, you have advantage on skill checks related to performing for the audience or intimidating your opponent.

(by Santuric)

You can dig twice as fast as others. Safe resting locations underground always count as Lavish lodging for you. You struggle to rest (INT save) while it's raining. "Water… from the SKY?!"

You've forgotten more than most adventurers these days know! Talk with your GM, what made you come out of retirement? - **Let's see if I remember how to do this...** You may gain 1 Wound to use an ability or cast a spell as if you were 1 level higher. - **These old bones.** Your age has long since started to show. –1 max Wounds.

You're polite, efficient, and you have a plan to kill everyone you meet. Getting your hands dirty is just part of the job. You usually know where to find bounties in new cities. You may Assess for free in combat, 1/encounter.

(by Kazok the Goblin)

(Req. 0 or negative WIL at character creation.) A result of 1 or less on any WIL-related roll counts as a natural 20 (WIL save, Naturecraft, Perception, Influence, or Insight check).

You're a nobody. People seem to overlook you both in and out of combat, at least until they see you attack something or perform some notable act.

(by Plot-Relevant Commoner)

You tend to zone out, lost in thought, dreaming. Disadvantage on Perception. (1/Safe Rest) Free Reaction: Become immune to psychic damage until the start of your next turn.

(by Plot-Relevant Commoner)

You're known to be stubborn and headstrong. When you would fail a save or skill check, you may reroll it. If you fail the reroll, the consequences are spectacularly bad. 1/Safe Rest.

(by Plot-Relevant Commoner)

Choose 1 ally in your party. You can survive +3 max Wounds as long as they are nearby. Whenever they take a Wound, you do too.

Advantage on checks to know or obtain gossip for events that will soon happen or have happened less than 1 year ago.

For one reason or another you were exiled from your former home. You have knowledge of a network of people who are either also in exile, or sympathetic to your plight. They may be convinced to help you.

(by The Rotten Pixie)

You are immune to the Frightened condition. +1 Initiative. –1 Armor.

You take half damage from all magical effects, double from weapons made of metal (before armor is applied).

You know just the trick to making a hearty meal while on the road. When you Field Rest you may cook a meal that restores 1 Hit Die for you and your allies, 1/day.

(by Plot-Relevant Commoner)

Your calloused, scorched hands mark you as a friend in smithing circles. Smiths are easier to haggle with, and may even let you use their forge. +1 Might and Examination.

(by Kazok the Goblin)

You are haunted by voices that occasionally give you cryptic advice. The voices are sometimes VERY helpful. Other times they only want to see you suffer. Advantage against fear. Ear to the Ground. Advantage on checks to know or obtain gossip for events that will soon happen or have happened less than 1 year ago.

Advantage on all Lore checks related to knowledge about items, facts, or events that happened more than 100 years ago.

Recover twice as many Wounds and HP while resting on a ship or near water. You can fill in for a first mate or captain in a pinch. Advantage on water-related skill checks.

You're on the run, always wary. One day they will find you. You cannot be surprised, and you always roll a minimum of 10 on Initiative.

(by Plot-Relevant Commoner)

You may choose to automatically fail a skill check with catastrophic results. When you do so, you gain Inspiration. 1/Safe Rest.

(by Plot-Relevant Commoner)

You should probably see a doctor, because what you have doesn't seem natural – or maybe you're just a kobold. You can eat pretty much anything, and you have advantage against poison saves. When you eat a full meal during a Safe Rest or Field Rest, you gain KEY temporary HP.

(by The Rotten Pixie)

You're obviously much more important than the average person. Each of your allies can Interpose for you for free, 1/round. You're sometimes able to skip queues.

(by Plot-Relevant Commoner)

You've spent a long time lost in the wilds, which has given you an innate sense of direction. You always know the approximate direction of north and the way you came from in dungeons. If only you could find your way home…

(by Plot-Relevant Commoner)

Start with 500 or 1000 extra gold, or an uncommon/rare magical item (that your GM allows). Gain an equally powerful curse or enemy who wants it back. If you choose this background, your GM may allow you to choose another.

Come on then, you can take it! You never believed what your ancestor said about overconfidence anyways. +2 max HP per level. +2 armor. Attacks never miss you.

(by Kazok the Goblin, SanityWithIn)

You usually have just the thing you need. You may withdraw a common tool or item from your pack when it is needed, even if you never mentioned it before, 1/Safe Rest. -3 inventory slots.

(by SanityWithIn, Santuric)

Thump! Thump! Thump! You lost one of your legs in combat. Or was it an accident? Seafaring folk find it respectable, at least. -1 Speed. +2 Armor.

(by Plot-Relevant Commoner)

You got moxie kid. People like the cut of your jib. You're just looking for that one opportunity to truly make waves. While you are Dying, you have advantage on your STR saves, and taking damage causes 1 fewer wounds.

(by The Rotten Pixie)

You speak Goblin natively (much better than one who has learned it later in life). You automatically notice and can avoid crudely-made traps and have advantage to notice and disarm more sophisticated traps.

You've spent a lot of time writing and transcribing various tomes and scrolls. You know two additional languages, but only in writing. You always succeed when using spell scrolls.

(by Kazok the Goblin)

(Req. 0 or negative INT at character creation.) Reroll a failed INT-related skill or save with advantage, 2/Safe Rest.

You might not have a lot of book smarts, but you still know how to get stuff done. You cannot read or write. Gain advantage on a skill check, 1/Safe Rest.

(by Plot-Relevant Commoner)

You never run out of your own personal rations. Anything can be food if you try hard enough! Advantage against poison saves. +1 max Hit Die.

(1/Safe Rest) End poison on yourself.

You always have up-to-date knowledge of the customs and dress of the upper classes and may even know many of their secrets. Advantage on Influence checks with the upper class.

You are brutish and mean. Why solve problem with word, when fist do trick? When you hit a creature in melee, they become Frightened until the start of your next turn, 1/Safe Rest.

(by Plot-Relevant Commoner)

Choose a profession (Baker/Cook, Smith, Stonemason, Weaver, Leatherworker, etc.). Checks you make related to that profession are made with advantage. You also retain special knowledge related to your profession.

This is not your first time adventuring. Some might call you lucky, you would call it experience. You know the approximate value of artifacts and treasure. You may gain advantage on a skill check while raiding a tomb or exploring a dungeon, 1/Safe Rest.

(by Kazok the Goblin)

You were raised by wild beasts and know how to communicate with animals using simple noises and body language. You are unfamiliar with civilization and have disadvantage on Influence checks in civilized society.

(by Plot-Relevant Commoner)

Whether it is the sticks or flowers in your hair, your smell, or the way you carry yourself, wild creatures are less frightened of you and more willing to aid you. +1 Naturecraft. While Field Resting, Hit Dice recover +KEY HP in the wild.

(Req. 0 or negative STR at character creation.) Reroll a failed STR-related roll (e.g., STR attack, STR save, Might check) and use another stat instead, 2/safe rest.