You are Red Riding Hood, a brave and compassionate individual who undertakes the dangerous task of walking through the foreboding woods to deliver food to your old and eldest family members. This background is inspired by the classic fairy tale but with a twist suitable for Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (DND 5e). Red Riding Hood can be either a male or female character, embodying the values of caution, family duty, and the consequences of straying from the path.
- Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Perception, Athletics
- Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism Kit, Musical Instrument (your choice)
- Languages: Two of your choice
- Equipment: A worn red hooded cloak, a basket with a lockable lid, a herbalism kit, a musical instrument of your choice, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp.
Here is a specific background table for the "Lessons from the Woods" feature in the Red Riding Hood background. Feel free to roll a d6 to determine the specific lesson you have learned from the woods or choose one that best fits your character concept. These lessons can provide additional benefits and reflect the character's experiences and growth through their encounters in the woods.
| d6 | Lessons from the Woods (Table) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lesson of Caution: The woods have taught you to be vigilant and wary of strangers. You gain a +2 bonus to Wisdom (Perception) checks when detecting hidden or disguised creatures. |
| 2 | Lesson of the Path: The strict adherence to the path has ingrained in you a strong sense of direction. You have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks made to navigate through forests or wilderness areas. |
| 3 | Lesson of Resourcefulness: Your time in the woods has taught you to make the most of limited resources. You have proficiency with improvised weapons and can use your Wisdom modifier instead of Strength for attack and damage rolls with them. |
| 4 | Lesson of Nature's Bounty: The woods have revealed the secrets of nature's abundance to you. Once per day, when you spend an hour foraging in a natural environment, you can find enough food and water to sustain yourself and up to four additional individuals. |
| 5 | Lesson of the Hunt: You have learned how to track and stalk prey in the woods. You have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks made to track creatures and Wisdom (Perception) checks made to detect signs of their presence. |
| 6 | Lesson of Intuition: The woods have sharpened your instincts, allowing you to sense danger and deception. You have advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks made to determine if someone is being truthful or hiding something. |
Your experiences in the perilous woods have taught you valuable life lessons about talking to strangers and following a strict path. Whenever you engage in conversation with non-hostile creatures, you have an uncanny knack for picking up on subtle hints and hidden motives. You have an advantage on Insight checks made to discern if someone is trustworthy or hiding something.
Additionally, your time spent navigating the woods has honed your survival instincts. When you are in a natural environment such as a forest or wilderness, you can forage for food and water with ease, providing sustenance for yourself and up to two other individuals.
Suggested Characteristics
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am cautious by nature and meticulously plan my actions to avoid danger. |
| 2 | I am kind-hearted and always willing to lend a hand to those in need. |
| 3 | I am curious and find solace in exploring new places and encountering new creatures. |
| 4 | I have a strong sense of duty towards my family and would do anything to protect them. |
| 5 | I am a good listener and can easily empathize with others' problems. |
| 6 | I am quick-witted and have a knack for finding creative solutions to challenging situations. |
| 7 | I am independent and prefer solitude, using the quiet moments to reflect on my experiences. |
| 8 | I am vigilant and constantly scanning my surroundings for any signs of danger. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Responsibility: I have a duty to care for my family, no matter the cost. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Compassion: I strive to help those in need, even at personal risk. (Good) |
| 3 | Freedom: I long to break free from the strict confines of the path and embrace the unknown. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Caution: I always weigh the risks before making decisions, preferring safety over recklessness. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Loyalty: I am fiercely loyal to my loved ones and will defend them with all my might. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Wisdom: I seek knowledge and understanding, hoping to learn from the mistakes of others. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My eldest family members rely on me, and I will never let them down. |
| 2 | I am on a personal quest to rid the woods of dangerous creatures and ensure the safety of future travelers. |
| 3 | I am determined to uncover the truth about the mysterious stranger who deceived me in the past. |
| 4 | I have sworn to protect the innocent from the dangers lurking in the woods. |
| 5 | I carry an heirloom passed down through generations, a symbol of my family's resilience and strength. |
| 6 | The wisdom of the woods has chosen me as its guardian, and I will honor that responsibility. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I have a tendency to be overly trusting, often finding myself in dangerous situations. |
| 2 | I can be stubborn and refuse to listen to others, thinking I know what's best. |
| 3 | My curiosity often gets the better of me, leading me to disregard caution and wander off the path. |
| 4 | I am haunted by the mistakes of my past, which sometimes cloud my judgment. |
| 5 | I am easily swayed by flattery and sweet words, making me susceptible to manipulation. |
| 6 | I struggle to let go of my past and often find it difficult to forgive those who have wronged me. |
The Little Red Huntsman is a variant of the Red Riding Hood background, representing a character who has embraced the role of protector and defender. Inspired by the woodcutter or huntsman character from the classic fairy tale, this variant focuses on the character's prowess with an axe and their determination to aid and rescue others from dangerous creatures.
Tool Proficiencies: Woodcarver's tools or Navigator's tools
Equipment: An greataxe, a set of woodcarver's tools, a compass, a hunting trap, a set of traveler's clothes
The Little Red Huntsman, once a simple courier like Red Riding Hood, has taken up the mantle of a protector. Armed with a trusty axe, this variant of the background has learned to defend others against dangerous creatures lurking in the woods. Drawing inspiration from the woodcutter or huntsman in the traditional tale, the Little Red Huntsman embodies strength, resourcefulness, and the will to come to the aid of those in need.
Note: This variant background can be combined with the Red Riding Hood background to create a more versatile character, incorporating elements of both roles. Consult with your Dungeon Master to determine how this background fits into your campaign setting and to make any necessary adjustments.
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