For your convenience: The 2 links below contain the relevant info on my CHAR in 2 easy to view/read images. You can also find this in full text format, at the bottom of this post (starting with '"CHAR" Backstory')
Please include a potential Background Name (incl. feature/proficiencies/langs/equip), traits, ideal, flaw, bond, and possible call to adventure that I could give to DM.
Bonus Points for advice on any details for aBard build+college that fits my CHAR (Bard only or good MC please, not including warlocks/sorcerers/paladins [RP reasons])
Edit: "CHAR" = Character
Edit 2:Here's my brainstorming of an idea:
Background (rough idea): Call it, roughly, the "Outlander immigrant" background - "you moved south with your family from the North as a child, but living in your small town you feel in your comfort zone and fear danger, and yet the outlander/northern blood inside you makes you restless and makes you want adventure." Add survival and nature or stealth or something. Language could be something useful like orc or something or giant - I dunno. Not sure on a feature, traits, bond, ideal, flaw... The clues are all there buried in that backstory/description that I worked pretty hard on.
Build (rough idea): My ideal build really would be a Valor Bard with the Lore Bards skill proficiencies (I don't even care about extra magic/cutting words from Lore or shield from Valor, I just love skills, as well as being able to do some cool attack shit in combat besides straight support/magic) and rely on dex ranged/finesse weapons and spells....Looking for 2nd best thing, something closer to RAW that DM would allow - Can something like this be pulled off at all? An archer of a mix of these would really work and have the RP reason of "fear of getting ****ed up" so staying away from the melee, though at times getting the courage to strike with rapier.
Info Materials from above image links, in full text format below vvv
"CHAR" Backstory
Half-Elf CHAR moved from some lands in the North (Russia/Scandinavia type, harder place), as a child, with his family, to a small town more South (moderate forest/fields and hills type area, somewhere inland, but on a similar latitude as Candlekeep [using Faerun as an example]).
He retains subtle characteristics of those Northern people physically, as well as some of elvish blood, and bit of the Northern accent. Looks like a half-elf mix of me and Ubbe from "Vikings" (but tougher build).
The people he is ethnically descended from in the North are known to be tough and cold, yet he is friendly and warm in demeanor for a Northerner.
His father left back North (elvish blood mostly from father's side, and CHAR respects elves due to legends he's heard, is proud of having their blood; Mother has some elvish blood, but fully assimilated as a human)
CHAR is attached to family (mother+brother) and hometown friends, stuck in a comfort zone of sorts, but always feels restless, like there's got to be something more. He loves to hear and speak about epic tales of travelers and heroes, wishing he could find the opportunity and balls to do something more. He craves to see wondrous sites of the vast world and beyond, and believes adventuring would make him stronger and recognized for his deeds, in turn allowing him to also use this to lend a hand to the weak and motivate others.
For a while now, he works doing some jobs delivering things and escorting people (as a sort of guide, not bodyguard) to nearby towns and villages of different sizes, through local roads and terrain. He enjoys the travel, and is good with nature and meeting/socializing with new people along the way, acquiring knowledge, talking of the world. He is often told by those he meets and people around him that he's entertaining/motivational, but doesn't believe in himself.
Meanwhile, doing his job, he meets a bard who takes a liking to him, offering to teach him some things. CHAR, motivated by his above-described longings and comments from others, and wanting to at least somehow dip his feet in, starts meeting with the bard, who instructs him in some basic lore/combat/magic/skills.
CHAR continues to feel stuck, yearning for more, but is paralyzed by fear of the dangers and discomforts, and not knowing how to move forward - So he continues the small town life, his delivery/escort gig, lessons with the bard.
When DM's story throws [?Call to AdventureX?] at him, it forces him into action, and his adventure begins, ultimately giving him a sense of purpose, getting him past his rut of being stuck in the comfort zone and pushing him despite fear, allowing him to finally start using/developing his abilities/skills.
"CHAR" Description
CLASS
It seems to me that Bard would best fit.However, I don't want an artsy guy/performer/musician, but rather a decent fighter/caster with a variety of cool skills, which he picked up from his experiences/interactions with others.
I wonder what would be a good category for his "bard-type" and Focus tool for him?
He's a restless dreamer, a very social person, one motivated and motivating through spoken word, and wanting to do good for others.
I don't mind playing partial support, but really don't want him to only be buffing the team and never getting to attack.
PERSONALITY (General)
Neutral Good
Friendly/social
Compassionate
Sense of humor
Tells uplifting and funny stories, sometimes epic speeches/phrases
Loyal friend/family/ally gets close to these people and sees them as his "base" or "tribe"
Strong perception/sensitivity to life - sees the details, awed by wonders, understands struggle etc.
Takes lead at times, quick to start pondering best solution
Well mannered, but let's himself act naturally/bit rough, annoyed by law/social etiquette-abiding types.
Flaws
Can be indecisive
Naive and idealistic
Wants to prove himself to others and himself
Seeks comfort in life, yet feels restless during those times
Attached to people quickly
Can be headstrong about his ideas/solutions to situations
Motivations
Sense of purpose
Satisfaction of working together with party, supporting each other, "All for one, One for all"
Recognition for his improvement and deeds
Help those who are weaker
See natural+man-made sights of wonder and beauty, vastness of the world
Develop himself - better rounded, tougher, and who can motivate others
Unite the good people he meets in this world
Adventure distracts him from angst, pondering life, fear, nostalgia, homesickness, discomforts
For your convenience: The 2 links below contain the relevant info on my CHAR in 2 easy to view/read images. You can also find this in full text format, at the bottom of this post (starting with '"CHAR" Backstory')
Character's Backstory
Character's Description
Please include a potential Background Name (incl. feature/proficiencies/langs/equip), traits, ideal, flaw, bond, and possible call to adventure that I could give to DM.
Bonus Points for advice on any details for a Bard build+college that fits my CHAR (Bard only or good MC please, not including warlocks/sorcerers/paladins [RP reasons])
Edit: "CHAR" = Character
Edit 2: Here's my brainstorming of an idea:
Background (rough idea): Call it, roughly, the "Outlander immigrant" background - "you moved south with your family from the North as a child, but living in your small town you feel in your comfort zone and fear danger, and yet the outlander/northern blood inside you makes you restless and makes you want adventure." Add survival and nature or stealth or something. Language could be something useful like orc or something or giant - I dunno. Not sure on a feature, traits, bond, ideal, flaw... The clues are all there buried in that backstory/description that I worked pretty hard on.
Build (rough idea): My ideal build really would be a Valor Bard with the Lore Bards skill proficiencies (I don't even care about extra magic/cutting words from Lore or shield from Valor, I just love skills, as well as being able to do some cool attack shit in combat besides straight support/magic) and rely on dex ranged/finesse weapons and spells....Looking for 2nd best thing, something closer to RAW that DM would allow - Can something like this be pulled off at all?
An archer of a mix of these would really work and have the RP reason of "fear of getting ****ed up" so staying away from the melee, though at times getting the courage to strike with rapier.
Info Materials from above image links, in full text format below vvv
"CHAR" Backstory
Half-Elf CHAR moved from some lands in the North (Russia/Scandinavia type, harder place), as a child, with his family, to a small town more South (moderate forest/fields and hills type area, somewhere inland, but on a similar latitude as Candlekeep [using Faerun as an example]).
He retains subtle characteristics of those Northern people physically, as well as some of elvish blood, and bit of the Northern accent. Looks like a half-elf mix of me and Ubbe from "Vikings" (but tougher build).
The people he is ethnically descended from in the North are known to be tough and cold, yet he is friendly and warm in demeanor for a Northerner.
His father left back North (elvish blood mostly from father's side, and CHAR respects elves due to legends he's heard, is proud of having their blood; Mother has some elvish blood, but fully assimilated as a human)
CHAR is attached to family (mother+brother) and hometown friends, stuck in a comfort zone of sorts, but always feels restless, like there's got to be something more. He loves to hear and speak about epic tales of travelers and heroes, wishing he could find the opportunity and balls to do something more. He craves to see wondrous sites of the vast world and beyond, and believes adventuring would make him stronger and recognized for his deeds, in turn allowing him to also use this to lend a hand to the weak and motivate others.
For a while now, he works doing some jobs delivering things and escorting people (as a sort of guide, not bodyguard) to nearby towns and villages of different sizes, through local roads and terrain. He enjoys the travel, and is good with nature and meeting/socializing with new people along the way, acquiring knowledge, talking of the world. He is often told by those he meets and people around him that he's entertaining/motivational, but doesn't believe in himself.
Meanwhile, doing his job, he meets a bard who takes a liking to him, offering to teach him some things. CHAR, motivated by his above-described longings and comments from others, and wanting to at least somehow dip his feet in, starts meeting with the bard, who instructs him in some basic lore/combat/magic/skills.
CHAR continues to feel stuck, yearning for more, but is paralyzed by fear of the dangers and discomforts, and not knowing how to move forward - So he continues the small town life, his delivery/escort gig, lessons with the bard.
When DM's story throws [?Call to AdventureX?] at him, it forces him into action, and his adventure begins, ultimately giving him a sense of purpose, getting him past his rut of being stuck in the comfort zone and pushing him despite fear, allowing him to finally start using/developing his abilities/skills.
"CHAR" Description
CLASS
It seems to me that Bard would best fit.However, I don't want an artsy guy/performer/musician, but rather a decent fighter/caster with a variety of cool skills, which he picked up from his experiences/interactions with others.
I wonder what would be a good category for his "bard-type" and Focus tool for him?
He's a restless dreamer, a very social person, one motivated and motivating through spoken word, and wanting to do good for others.
I don't mind playing partial support, but really don't want him to only be buffing the team and never getting to attack.
PERSONALITY (General)
Neutral Good
Friendly/social
Compassionate
Sense of humor
Tells uplifting and funny stories, sometimes epic speeches/phrases
Loyal friend/family/ally gets close to these people and sees them as his "base" or "tribe"
Strong perception/sensitivity to life - sees the details, awed by wonders, understands struggle etc.
Takes lead at times, quick to start pondering best solution
Well mannered, but let's himself act naturally/bit rough, annoyed by law/social etiquette-abiding types.
Flaws
Can be indecisive
Naive and idealistic
Wants to prove himself to others and himself
Seeks comfort in life, yet feels restless during those times
Attached to people quickly
Can be headstrong about his ideas/solutions to situations
Motivations
Sense of purpose
Satisfaction of working together with party, supporting each other, "All for one, One for all"
Recognition for his improvement and deeds
Help those who are weaker
See natural+man-made sights of wonder and beauty, vastness of the world
Develop himself - better rounded, tougher, and who can motivate others
Unite the good people he meets in this world
Adventure distracts him from angst, pondering life, fear, nostalgia, homesickness, discomforts