Well, firstly, asking about writing character backgrounds isn't related directly to DM-only forums. :-)
But generally it is always a good thing to include your chosen background in any write-up of your character's pre-adventuring life, otherwise it isn't really background.
I have a player who has the Sage background and chosen the Librarian specialty. That player applied the specialty to her overarching backstory and during playing to which she has been able to apply it into the game during role-play moments.
Now, the specialty has caused some problems as the player felt that having the Sage background and as a Librianrian she could know or find anything or everything in a library or an information vault. (I'd given her advantage on checks to find information, but the player felt no checks should be necessary) I also had to explain that those specialties do not really mean much to the overall gameplay because if they did they'd have more detail on each item in the PHB for each one and the Researcher feature is about the extent of what Sage gives to a player besides some skill proficiencies.
So to me, those specialties are mostly story fodder if the player chooses to use one otherwise they are pretty meaningless to the overall game experience.
Well, firstly, asking about writing character backgrounds isn't related directly to DM-only forums. :-)
But generally it is always a good thing to include your chosen background in any write-up of your character's pre-adventuring life, otherwise it isn't really background.
I know character creation is not solely DM only related, but i just wanted the opinion of only other DM's in how they use the other specialties for sages other than researcher in character creation and game play.
I have a player who has the Sage background and chosen the Librarian specialty. That player applied the specialty to her overarching backstory and during playing to which she has been able to apply it into the game during role-play moments.
Now, the specialty has caused some problems as the player felt that having the Sage background and as a Librianrian she could know or find anything or everything in a library or an information vault. (I'd given her advantage on checks to find information, but the player felt no checks should be necessary) I also had to explain that those specialties do not really mean much to the overall gameplay because if they did they'd have more detail on each item in the PHB for each one and the Researcher feature is about the extent of what Sage gives to a player besides some skill proficiencies.
So to me, those specialties are mostly story fodder if the player chooses to use one otherwise they are pretty meaningless to the overall game experience.
As mentioned, the backgrounds provide a bit of direction to help players form their characters' backstories, personalities, goals and ambitions. Obviously, it's a good background for classes like Wizards, but don't feel limited.
I once played a Dwarven brewer with the 'sage' background, (alchemy speciality) who left his mountain home to (initially) learn how to make better beer for his king. And by the end of his adventure, I'll be damned if there wasn't a greater authority on ale than Orin Brewhand! While not excessively useful, it was wonderful in the downtime to be able to have that personality.
He opened a tavern in the capital city, and became rather wealthy. It was fun.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
seeking information on how everyone uses the sage specialties in their character background creations.
Well, firstly, asking about writing character backgrounds isn't related directly to DM-only forums. :-)
But generally it is always a good thing to include your chosen background in any write-up of your character's pre-adventuring life, otherwise it isn't really background.
I have a player who has the Sage background and chosen the Librarian specialty. That player applied the specialty to her overarching backstory and during playing to which she has been able to apply it into the game during role-play moments.
Now, the specialty has caused some problems as the player felt that having the Sage background and as a Librianrian she could know or find anything or everything in a library or an information vault. (I'd given her advantage on checks to find information, but the player felt no checks should be necessary) I also had to explain that those specialties do not really mean much to the overall gameplay because if they did they'd have more detail on each item in the PHB for each one and the Researcher feature is about the extent of what Sage gives to a player besides some skill proficiencies.
So to me, those specialties are mostly story fodder if the player chooses to use one otherwise they are pretty meaningless to the overall game experience.
I know character creation is not solely DM only related, but i just wanted the opinion of only other DM's in how they use the other specialties for sages other than researcher in character creation and game play.
Thanks for the information and thoughts.
As mentioned, the backgrounds provide a bit of direction to help players form their characters' backstories, personalities, goals and ambitions. Obviously, it's a good background for classes like Wizards, but don't feel limited.
I once played a Dwarven brewer with the 'sage' background, (alchemy speciality) who left his mountain home to (initially) learn how to make better beer for his king. And by the end of his adventure, I'll be damned if there wasn't a greater authority on ale than Orin Brewhand! While not excessively useful, it was wonderful in the downtime to be able to have that personality.
He opened a tavern in the capital city, and became rather wealthy. It was fun.