You come from a rich family that values art and the beauty of life above all else. They may have come to their fortune by inheritance, marriage or even through their own artistic skills.
In society, or at least the noble circles you move in, you are seen as very pleasant company and great entertainment, but not necessarily as an equal, concearning politics and power. This does not lesson your value to them though, since diversion from the hardship of life is always of great importance and seen as a socially necessary investment for the people that can afford it.
You don't only have been educated in singing and performing on various musical instruments, but also in horseback riding, fencing and dance. You have also studied poetry, painting and storytelling, regarding a great variety of creative skills as the most important part of yourself.
(Note: this Background is created to be combined with the Bard class)
Standard Noble Background Description:
You understand wealth, power, and privilege. You carry a noble title, and your family owns land, collects taxes, and wields significant political influence. You might be a pampered aristocrat unfamiliar with work or discomfort, a former merchant just elevated to the nobility, or a disinherited scoundrel with a disproportionate sense of entitlement. Or you could be an honest, hard-working landowner who cares deeply about the people who live and work on your land, keenly aware of your responsibility to them.
Work with your DM to come up with an appropriate title and determine how much authority that title carries. A noble title doesn’t stand on its own—it’s connected to an entire family, and whatever title you hold, you will pass it down to your own children. Not only do you need to determine your noble title, but you should also work with the DM to describe your family and their influence on you.
Is your family old and established, or was your title only recently bestowed? How much influence do they wield, and over what area? What kind of reputation does your family have among the other aristocrats of the region? How do the common people regard them?
What’s your position in the family? Are you the heir to the head of the family? Have you already inherited the title? How do you feel about that responsibility? Or are you so far down the line of inheritance that no one cares what you do, as long as you don’t embarrass the family? How does the head of your family feel about your adventuring career? Are you in your family’s good graces, or shunned by the rest of your family?
Does your family have a coat of arms? An insignia you might wear on a signet ring? Particular colors you wear all the time? An animal you regard as a symbol of your line or even a spiritual member of the family?
- Skill Proficiencies: two from: Investigation, Persuasion, Animal Handling, History
- Tool Proficiencies: Calligrapher's Supplies, Painter's Supplies
- Languages: One of your choice, Music
- Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a signet ring and/or [Tooltip Not Found], artist's tools, and a purse containing 30 gp
You have one or more skilled and resourceful music, writing or arts teachers, that have lead you on your way of becoming a great artist. They encourage but also challenge you in your creativity and always come up with new ideas for you to bring to life.
They may be the reason that you are on this adventure, may it be to get a better understanding of the world, experience adventures you can write and sing about or simply meet new people that inspire you and make you grow as a person.
Because you have learned from the best, people know about you and always assume the best of you - which may influence their judgement of your art in your favor.
Also, since you are not very buff and don't seem to carry any political power, you are never really seen as a threat and are often given the benefit of the doubt.
Suggested Characteristics
Nobles are born and raised to a very different lifestyle than most people ever experience, and their personalities reflect that upbringing. A noble title comes with a plethora of bonds—responsibilities to family, to other nobles (including the sovereign), to the people entrusted to the family’s care, or even to the title itself. But this responsibility is often a good way to undermine a noble.
| d11 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | My eloquent flattery makes everyone I talk to feel like the most wonderful and important person in the world. |
| 2 | The common folk love me for my kindness and generosity. |
| 3 | No one could doubt by looking at my regal bearing that I am a cut above the unwashed masses. |
| 4 | I take great pains to always look my best and follow the latest fashions. |
| 5 | I don’t like to get my hands dirty, and I won’t be caught dead in unsuitable accommodations. |
| 6 | Despite my noble birth, I do not place myself above other folk. We all have the same blood. |
| 7 | My favor, once lost, is lost forever. |
| 8 | If you do me an injury, I will crush you, ruin your name, and salt your fields. |
| 9 | I am quite introverted when it comes to normal social life, but bloom in my area of skills. |
| 10 | My view of the world is rather naive and blue-eyed, which can be a blessing and a flaw. |
| 11 | My presence makes other people feel good due to my temperate and nice nature. |
| d7 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. Respect is due to me because of my position, but all people regardless of station deserve to be treated with dignity. (Good) |
| 2 | Responsibility. It is my duty to respect the authority of those above me, just as those below me must respect mine. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Independence. I must prove that I can handle myself without the coddling of my family. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Power. If I can attain more power, no one will tell me what to do. (Evil) |
| 5 | Family. Blood runs thicker than water. (Any) |
| 6 | Noble Obligation. It is my duty to protect and care for the people beneath me. (Good) |
| 7 | Art. The world can only be a happy place if there is art and beauty. (Good) |
| d7 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I will face any challenge to win the approval of my family. |
| 2 | My house’s alliance with another noble family must be sustained at all costs. |
| 3 | Nothing is more important than the other members of my family. |
| 4 | I am in love with the heir of a family that my family despises. |
| 5 | My loyalty to my sovereign is unwavering. |
| 6 | The common folk must see me as a hero of the people. |
| 7 | I must follow the path of my family and bring beaty to the world. |
| d8 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I secretly believe that everyone is beneath me. |
| 2 | I hide a truly scandalous secret that could ruin my family forever. |
| 3 | I too often hear veiled insults and threats in every word addressed to me, and I’m quick to anger. |
| 4 | I have an insatiable desire for carnal pleasures. |
| 5 | In fact, the world does revolve around me. |
| 6 | By my words and actions, I often bring shame to my family. |
| 7 | I can't differentiate between honesty and lies and believe that everybody always has good intentions. |
| 8 | I am very oblivious, take everything literal and am easily hurt by bad behavior. |
Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.