SRD5:Background

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Disambiguation.png This article is about Background, from the 5th ed. SRD.
For other uses of Background, see Background (disambiguation).
This material from the 5th edition (2014) SRD v5.1 is published under the OGL and CC-BY

Every story has a beginning. Your character’s background reveals where you came from, how you became an adventurer, and your place in the world. Your fighter might have been a courageous knight or a grizzled soldier. Your wizard could have been a sage or an artisan. Your rogue might have gotten by as a guild thief or commanded audiences as a jester.

Choosing a background provides you with important story cues about your character’s identity. The most important question to ask about your background is what changed? Why did you stop doing whatever your background describes and start adventuring? Where did you get the money to purchase your starting gear, or, if you come from a wealthy background, why don’t you have more money? How did you learn the skills of your class? What sets you apart from ordinary people who share your background?

The sample background presented here provides both concrete benefits (features, proficiencies, and languages) and roleplaying suggestions.

Proficiencies

Each background gives a character proficiency in two skills (described in “Using Ability Scores”). In addition, most backgrounds give a character proficiency with one or more tools (detailed in “Equipment”). If a character would gain the same proficiency from two different sources, he or she can choose a different proficiency of the same kind (skill or tool) instead.

Languages

Some backgrounds also allow characters to learn additional languages beyond those given by race. See “Languages.”

Equipment

Each background provides a package of starting equipment. If you use the optional rule to spend coin on gear, you do not receive the starting equipment from your background.

Suggested Characteristics

A background contains suggested personal characteristics based on your background. You can pick characteristics, roll dice to determine them randomly, or use the suggestions as inspiration for characteristics of your own creation.

Customizing a Background

You might want to tweak some of the features of a background so it better fits your character or the campaign setting. To customize a background, you can replace one feature with any other one, choose any two skills, and choose a total of two tool proficiencies or languages from the sample backgrounds. You can either use the equipment package from your background or spend coin on gear as described in the equipment section. (If you spend coin, you can’t also take the equipment package suggested for your class.) Finally, choose two personality traits, one ideal, one bond, and one flaw. If you can’t find a feature that matches your desired background, work with your GM to create one.

End of the SRD5 material

General Background Features

 [1] 
This section presents optional features for any background. You may replace the standard feature of your background with any one of the options presented here.

  • Inheritor [1]
  • Mist Wanderer [1]
  • Spirit Medium [1]
  • Trauma Survivor [2]
  • Traveler [2]

List of Backgrounds

(52 official and unofficial backgrounds).

BackgroundSummaryFeatureSkillsToolsLanguagesSpecialtySource
AcolytePerson of the clothShelter of the FaithfulInsight, ReligionTwo of your choiceSRD-CC v5.1, SRD-OGL v5.1
AntiquarianAdventurer-historians who collect forgotten lore and lost relicsIt Belongs in a MuseumHistory, InvestigationCalligrapher's suppliesOne of your choiceDracomortis
ApothecaryIndividuals who make a living diagnosing and treating medical ailments...or causing themMedical ProfessionalInvestigation, MedicineHerbalism kit, Poisoner’s KitDracomortis
Athlete BackgroundFamous AthleteEchoes of VictoryAcrobatics, AthleticsVehicles (land)One of your choiceFavored EventMythic Odysseys of Theros
Urban Bounty HunterBounty Hunter of cities and townsEar to the GroundChoose two from among Deception, Insight, Persuasion, and StealthChoose two from among one type of gaming set, musical instrument, and thieves' toolsSword Coast Adventurer's Guide
CharlatanCon man, someone who pretends to be someone else.False IdentityDeception, Sleight of HandDisguise Kit, Forgery KitFavorite SchemesPlayer's Handbook (5e)
City WatchDuly ordaned keeper of the peaceWatcher's EyeAthletics, InsightTwo of your choiceSword Coast Adventurer's Guide
Clan CrafterApprentice of a Dwarven Master ArtisanRespect of the Stout FolkHistory, InsightOne type of Artisan's ToolsDwarvish or one of your choice if you already know it.Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
Cloistered ScholarLibrarianLibrary AccessHistory, plus your choice of one from among Arcana, Nature, and ReligionTwo of your choiceSword Coast Adventurer's Guide
CourtierCourt of Nobles BureaucratCourt FunctionaryInsight, PersuasionTwo of your choiceSword Coast Adventurer's Guide
CriminalThief, thug, hired killer, con-manCriminal ContactDeception, StealthOne type of Gaming Set, Thieves' ToolsCriminal SpecialtyPlayer's Handbook (5e)
Drow ScarredA fitting sacrificeStealth, DeceptionCooking, Mining or CleaningUndercommon or Drow Sign LanguageDingobabee
EntertainerActor, dancer, musician, poetBy Popular DemandAcrobatics, PerformanceDisguise Kit, one type of musical instrumentEntertainer RoutinesPlayer's Handbook (5e)
Faction AgentYou belong to an ideological organization and sought to advance its goalsSave HavenInsight and one Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma skill of your choice, as appropriate to your faction.Two of your choiceFactions of the Sword CoastSword Coast Adventurer's Guide
Far TravelerYou hail from a place far, far awayAll Eyes on YouInsight, PerceptionMusical InstrumentOne of your choiceWhy you are HereSword Coast Adventurer's Guide
FeylostYou have lived in the Feywild.Feywild ConnectionDeception, SurvivalOne type of musical instrument.One of your choice of Elvish, Gnomish, Goblin, or SylvanFeywild VisitorThe Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Folk HeroLocal HeroRustic HospitalityAnimal Handling, SurvivalOne type of Artisan's Tools, Vehicles (Land)Defining EventPlayer's Handbook (5e)
Gate WardenYour background includes significant time near a gate to another plane.Planar InfusionPersuasion, SurvivalTwo of your choice (Abyssal, Celestial, or Infernal recommended)UA 2022 Wonders of the Multiverse
Giant FoundlingYou were adopted by giants.Strike of the GiantsIntimidation, SurvivalTwo of your choiceOrigin StoriesUA 2022 Wonders of the Multiverse
GladiatorYou fight for an audienceBy Popular DemandAcrobatics, PerformanceDisguise Kit, one type of musical instrumentPlayer's Handbook (5e)
Guild ArtisanMember of an artisan guildGuild MembershipInsight, PersuasionOne type of Artisan's ToolsOne of your ChoiceGuild BusinessPlayer's Handbook (5e)
Guild MerchantSeller of an artisan guild's goodsGuild MembershipInsight, PersuasionOne set of Navigator's ToolsOne of your ChoiceGuild BusinessPlayer's Handbook (5e)
Haunted OneEncountered the supernatural at a young age and survivedHeart of DarknessChoose one of Arcana, Investigation, Religion, or SurvivalChoose one exotic language (Abyssal, Celestial, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, or Undercommon)Harrowing EventCurse of Strahd
HermitYou have separated yourself from othersDiscoveryMedicine, ReligionHerbalism KitOne of your choiceLife of SeclusionPlayer's Handbook (5e)
InheritorAn item of legacy was entrusted to youInheritanceSurvival, plus one from among Arcana, History, and ReligionYour choice of Gaming Set or a Musical InstrumentAny one of your choiceSword Coast Adventurer's Guide
InvestigatorPolice detectiveWatcher's EyeInsight, InvestigationTwo of your choiceSword Coast Adventurer's Guide
Gothic InvestigatorInvestigator in a Gothic settingOfficial InquiryChoose one of Insight, Investigation, or PerceptionDisguise Kit, Thieves' ToolsPath to MysteryVan Richten's Guide to Ravenloft
KnightBackground: Knight, lowest of nobilityRetainersHistory, PersuasionOne type of Gaming SetOne of your ChoicePlayer's Handbook (5e)
Knight of SolamniaBackground — Honorable knight of SolaminaSquire of SolamniaAthletics, SurvivalTwo of your choiceUA 2022 Heroes of Krynn Revisited
Knight of the OrderBackground: Knight of the OrderKnightly RegardPersuasion, plus one from among Arcana, History, Nature, and Religion, as appropriate for your order.One type of gaming set or musical instrument.One of your ChoiceSword Coast Adventurer's Guide
Lorehold StudentStudent of the Lorehold CollegeLorehold InitiateHistory, ReligionTwo of your choiceStrixhaven
Mage of High SorceryBackground - a member of the Mages of High SorceryInitiate of High SorceryAthletics, SurvivalTwo of your choiceUA 2022 Heroes of Krynn Revisited
Mercenary VeteranSoldier of FortuneMercenary LifeAthletics, PersuasionOne type of gaming set, vehicles (land).Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
NobleBackground: Member of nobilityPosition of PrivilegeHistory, PersuasionOne type of Gaming SetOne of your ChoicePlayer's Handbook (5e)
Waterdhavian NobleYou are the offspring of a noble of WaterdeepKept in StyleHistory, PersuasionOne type of Gaming Set or Musical InstrumentOne of your choiceSword Coast Adventurer's Guide
OutlanderYou have lived outside civilizationWandererAthletics, SurvivalOne type of musical instrument.One of your choiceOriginPlayer's Handbook (5e)
Pirate (5e)/BackgroundYou have served aboard a pirate shipBad ReputationAthletics, PerceptionNavigator’s Tools, Vehicles (water)Player's Handbook (5e)
Planar PhilosopherYour philosophy of the nature and working of the planes dominated your pre-adventurer life.ConvictionArcana, PersuasionTwo of your choiceUA 2022 Wonders of the Multiverse
Prismari StudentStudent of the Prismari CollegePrismari InitiateAcrobatics, PerformanceOne type of musical instrument or artisan's toolsOne of your choiceStrixhaven
Quandrix StudentStrixhaven student of the Quandrix CollegeQuandrix InitiateArcana, NatureOne type of artisan's toolsOne of your choiceStrixhaven
Rakdos CultistYou are or were a member of the Cult of Rakdos.Fearsome ReputationAcrobatics, PerformanceChoose either Abyssal or GiantA Flair for the DramaticGuildmasters' Guide to Ravnica
Rune CarverYou were a carver of runes.Rune Carver ApprenticeHistory, PerceptionGiant and one other language of your choiceRune StylesUA 2022 Wonders of the Multiverse
SageYou have studied lore.ReseacherArcana, HistoryTwo of your choiceSpecialtyPlayer's Handbook (5e)
SailorYou have earned a living onboard a shipShip's PassageAthletics, PerceptionNavigator’s Tools, Vehicles (water)Player's Handbook (5e)
Silverquill StudentStrixhaven student of the Silverquill college.Silverquill InitiateIntimidation, PersuasionTwo of your choiceStrixhaven
SoldierEnlisted SoldierMilitary RankAthletics, IntimidationOne type of gaming set, vehicles (land).SpecialtyPlayer's Handbook (5e)
Spy BackgroundInfiltrator, private investigator, spyCriminal ContactDeception, StealthOne type of Gaming Set, Thieves' ToolsCriminal SpecialtyPlayer's Handbook (5e)
UrchinYou grew up on the streetsCity SecretsSleight of Hand, StealthDisguise Kit, thieves' toolsPlayer's Handbook (5e)
Uthgardt Tribe MemberYou grew up in a tribe of UthgardtUthgardt HeritageAthletics, SurvivalOne type of Musical Instrument or Artisan ToolsOne of your choiceSword Coast Adventurer's Guide
Witchlight HandYou have been a part of the Witchlight CarnivalCarnival FixturePerformance, Sleight of HandDisguise kit or one type of musical instrumentOne of your choiceCarnival CompanionThe Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Witherbloom StudentStrixhaven student of the Witherbloom college.Witherbloom InitiateNature, SurvivalHerbalism KitOne of your choiceStrixhaven
WoundedYou've been crippled, but you have worked around your weakness.WoundMedicineOne of your choiceEiji-kun

Sources and Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Wizards D&D Team (18 May 2021). Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft. (5e 2014) Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0786967250. p. 31. Licensed: © Wizards of the Coast (used under 'fair use' clause).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 VRGtR p.32

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