I recreated the 2024 backgrounds (and then some...) for my players to make them more in par with the 2014 ones, yet keeping some of the 2024 mecanics. Just sharing the Acolyte as an example for inspiration for other DMs.
(My house rule is that the player can add +2 to ANY ability score, but must add +1 to one of the 3 ability scores that come with the background; OR +1 to these 3 abilities)
Acolyte (5.24)
[Note: You must put any background specific table in the Introduction section of the background builder; otherwise, if you use the Background Specific table of the builder, the table is actually NOT visible when you select a background in the character creator, which is very odd, but that's the way it's been forever...]
You devoted yourself to service in a temple, either nestled in a town or secluded in a sacred grove. There you performed rites in honor of a god or pantheon. You served under a priest and studied religion. Thanks to your priest’s instruction and your own devotion, you also learned how to channel a modicum of divine power in service to your place of worship and the people who prayed there.
Choose a god, a pantheon of gods, or some other quasi-divine being, and work with your DM to detail the nature of your religious service. The Gods of the Multiverse section contains a sample pantheon, from the Forgotten Realms setting. Were you a lesser functionary in a temple, raised from childhood to assist the priests in the sacred rites? Or were you a high priest who suddenly experienced a call to serve your god in a different way? Perhaps you were the leader of a small cult outside of any established temple structure, or even an occult group that served a fiendish master that you now deny.
[you can add an horizontal line with the -- symbol in the text menu]
Ability Scores: Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma
In the Abilities section of the character builder, increase any ability score by 2 and one of these ability scores by 1. Alternatively, increase these three ability scores by 1.
Feat: Choose Magic Initiate (Cleric) or another Origin Feat appropriate to your backstory.
Select the Origin Feat on the digital character sheet: Features & Traits > Feats > Manage Feats. Choose your feat in the Core Rules and Homebrew sections only, not Expanded Rules or Legacy. If you character is level 1-3, only Origin Feats should be visible.
Acolyte Duties
Not all acolytes serve in the same way or under the same conditions. Depending on the faith, tradition, or temple they serve, acolytes may have a range of responsibilities, from simple caretaking to more spiritually significant duties. The following table presents various roles an acolyte might hold during their time in religious service.
d8
Acolyte Duty
1
Temple Caretaker – You were responsible for the daily upkeep of the temple, cleaning sacred spaces and ensuring offerings were properly tended.
2
Ritual Attendant – You assisted priests during sacred rituals and ceremonies, ensuring that all holy practices were carried out with precision and care.
3
Healer's Assistant – You worked closely with a priest or healer, providing comfort and aid to the sick and wounded, and learning the ways of divine healing.
4
Chanter – Your voice led prayers, hymns, or chants, guiding the faithful in worship and bringing the divine closer through music and rhythm.
5
Scribe of Sacred Texts – You meticulously copied holy scriptures, preserving ancient knowledge and keeping records of the faith’s teachings and histories.
6
Initiate Mentor – You were entrusted with guiding new initiates into the faith, teaching them the rites, prayers, and history of your religion.
7
Temple Guard – You took up arms to protect your temple or sacred sites, ensuring that no harm befell the places or people under your care.
8
Pilgrim Guide – You led groups of worshippers on sacred pilgrimages, ensuring their safety while imparting spiritual wisdom along the journey.
Work with the DM to customize your equipment. If you add some custom items, your total equipment value shouldn't exceed 50 GP, including the gold in your belt pouch.
Feature: Shelter of the Faithful
As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your religion will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.
Suggested Characteristics
Acolytes are shaped by their experience in temples or other religious communities. Their study of the history and tenets of their faith and their relationships to temples, shrines, or hierarchies affect their mannerisms and ideals. Their flaws might be some hidden hypocrisy or heretical idea, or an ideal or bond taken to an extreme.
I recreated the 2024 backgrounds (and then some...) for my players to make them more in par with the 2014 ones, yet keeping some of the 2024 mecanics. Just sharing the Acolyte as an example for inspiration for other DMs.
(My house rule is that the player can add +2 to ANY ability score, but must add +1 to one of the 3 ability scores that come with the background; OR +1 to these 3 abilities)
Acolyte (5.24)
[Note: You must put any background specific table in the Introduction section of the background builder; otherwise, if you use the Background Specific table of the builder, the table is actually NOT visible when you select a background in the character creator, which is very odd, but that's the way it's been forever...]
You devoted yourself to service in a temple, either nestled in a town or secluded in a sacred grove. There you performed rites in honor of a god or pantheon. You served under a priest and studied religion. Thanks to your priest’s instruction and your own devotion, you also learned how to channel a modicum of divine power in service to your place of worship and the people who prayed there.
Choose a god, a pantheon of gods, or some other quasi-divine being, and work with your DM to detail the nature of your religious service. The Gods of the Multiverse section contains a sample pantheon, from the Forgotten Realms setting. Were you a lesser functionary in a temple, raised from childhood to assist the priests in the sacred rites? Or were you a high priest who suddenly experienced a call to serve your god in a different way? Perhaps you were the leader of a small cult outside of any established temple structure, or even an occult group that served a fiendish master that you now deny.
[you can add an horizontal line with the -- symbol in the text menu]
Ability Scores: Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma
In the Abilities section of the character builder, increase any ability score by 2 and one of these ability scores by 1. Alternatively, increase these three ability scores by 1.
Feat: Choose Magic Initiate (Cleric) or another Origin Feat appropriate to your backstory.
Select the Origin Feat on the digital character sheet: Features & Traits > Feats > Manage Feats. Choose your feat in the Core Rules and Homebrew sections only, not Expanded Rules or Legacy. If you character is level 1-3, only Origin Feats should be visible.
Acolyte Duties
Not all acolytes serve in the same way or under the same conditions. Depending on the faith, tradition, or temple they serve, acolytes may have a range of responsibilities, from simple caretaking to more spiritually significant duties. The following table presents various roles an acolyte might hold during their time in religious service.
[/end of Introduction field]
As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your religion will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.
Suggested Characteristics
Acolytes are shaped by their experience in temples or other religious communities. Their study of the history and tenets of their faith and their relationships to temples, shrines, or hierarchies affect their mannerisms and ideals. Their flaws might be some hidden hypocrisy or heretical idea, or an ideal or bond taken to an extreme.
[Same traits, ideals, bonds, flaws]
My Homebrew: Magic Items | Monsters | Spells | Subclasses | My house rules
Currently playing: Fai'zal - CN Githyanki Rogue (Candlekeep Mysteries, Forgotten Realms) ; Zeena - LN Elf Sorcerer (Dragonlance)
Playing D&D since 1st edition. DMs Guild Author: B.A. Morrier (4-5⭐products! Please check them out.) Twitter: @benmorrier he/him