I used to break into people’s houses for a living, but one too close call with the constabulary made me rethink my chosen profession. So I packed up my kit and went looking for more “legitimate” work as a hired adventurer. Now I break into dead people’s places, and nobody cares if you rob the dead.

(Any race, criminal background, Rogue)

It was a miracle that I survived my first match against an orc, he just about took my head off. But afterwards we became good friends and eventually started up a little crew with a couple of spell slingers from their dueling circuit. Now we’ve all given up the gladiatorial arenas for work fighting monsters and defending towns from bandits and such like that there.

I was born in Cibola, but after my Dad was killed in the Sea Raids, my momma dragged me down to Azatlan to start fresh. She didn't know that they damn bugbears raided there even more often, and that even as a barmaid I would need to learn to defend myself. These days my floating tavern gets left alone by them, but I find that even that less than quiet life isn't enough for me, so get that dinghy in the water and shut up afore I drag you with me.

I was just a poor guy with no job and so I resorted to robbery to sustain myself. I tried to mug some old guy, but he easily disarmed me and had me at the point of my own blade. He could have easily finished me off then and there, but he had mercy and instead taught me how to wield a sword so now I use my skills for good instead of evil and I always give those I come across a second chance.

Bukaru Bonzie: An absolute genius of a runewright who devised a carpet vehicle that allowed him to slide through the Veil and into the 8 Dimension. He was known to be a fearless and brilliant adventurer. Unfortunately, he was killed in the last Skyfall (or was he?).

I was never the strongest in my tribe, but nobody was faster or smarter than me, or a better shot than me. They drove me out for my weakness, but I’ll show them all. Now I’m off to prove myself in the world and rub their stinkin’ noses in all the gold and fame I’ll earn for myself.

(Orc/Goliath with low Str but high Dex & Int, any background, Fighter)

From my parents I inherited a title, a long family history, an ancient castle that is falling to bits and a very empty treasury. To save my family legacy I had the choice of either marrying the rich offspring of a local merchant or turning to adventure. I went on one date with said offspring and decided picking up a sword and going dragon hunting was more pleasant and less dangerous. 

(Noble)

I told an annoying bard that I'd heard donkeys with better singing voice. The bard looked straight into my eyes and made a suggestion that I join up with an expedition to troll country so I wouldn't be bothered by their singing. For some reason I can't *quite* remember what happened next, but when my mental fog lifted I was with this group of adventurers tramping through the wilderness...

(Anyone but fits best on a character with a low Wisdom.)

I trained for decades with the artisans guild to become a great smith. I built a successful business and found a family, only for raiders to tear it apart. Now my smith’s hammer is my holy weapon, and I seek to rid the world of the ones who tore my life apart.

I already saved the world, but I have a gambling problem. I drew too many cards, and lost, everything: my home, family, friends, a demon hunts me. Now I start over - this is my fate, is the deck stacked against me once more?

(imagine a player foolishly drawing from a DoMT so much they drop to level 1 with sworn enemies and demons knowing them and losing everything.)

"Hello, I am Bruce the Wizard. I was born into a tribe of goblins, and we were mocked and laughed at for mannerisms that humans and other folk deemed "inferior". Now, I have studied and studied and studied and I have knowledge and magical power that rivals the gods and easily surpasses the might of all those who once looked down upon me."

(Goblin Wizard Sage.)

You've heard of the great dragon Tyriax who lived centuries ago? That's me... or at least used to be me in a previous life. I had been haunted by dreams of flight and flame all my life and a seer revealed to me that I'm a draconic soul reincarnated in a humanoid body who can only become a dragon again once I recover every coin, gem and magic item stolen from my hoard by my slayers.

(Obviously this works very well for a Draconic Bloodline Sorceror but it could be anyone.)

"I was born and raised in a pirate boat on the sea, working for the pirates and scoundrels that had given birth to me. When I was 14 though, I turned my father and his crew over to the authorities, seeking to end their campaign of theft and evil and get away from the place where I had been forced to do hard labor for years. When the ship was about to get raided, I jumped off it and fled, the people on the ship were ambushed by police soon after and didn't have the time to stop my escape."

(Sailor, Any class, Any species.)

I farted, I didn’t mean to, it just sorta… snuck out, but I farted and that’s how it all began. Next thing I knew I was being roughly escorted out of the palace, and one thing led to another, and, well…. Anyway, now I fight monsters and raid dungeons for a living.

Quote from IamSposta >>

I farted, I didn’t mean to, it just sorta… snuck out, but I farted and that’s how it all began. Next thing I knew I was being roughly escorted out of the palace, and one thing led to another, and, well…. Anyway, now I fight monsters and raid dungeons for a living.

Must've been royalty. Anyone else would've been executed in the town square by ironic means.

I grew up in an orphanage but ran away and hired a guild of assassins to kill the hag that secretly ran the orphanage, they seemed ok with the silver platter i gave them as payment. A decade has passed since then and just recently I found a scroll on my bed that simply read "we know" and had the imprint of a black hand and I recall the guild from my younger days used that same ink blot hand as a calling card. Now I am on the run as I am not sure if the guild are coming to kill me or recruit me, neither option is terribly palatable, my name was Aventus Aretino, but I think I might leave him behind and be someone new.

I used to work, work, work in the mines, all day, every day, and actually used to like it. But then one day we broke through to a cavern or chamber in which some monsters lived, and we had to defend ourselves with nothing but our tools. It was the most exciting thing I had ever done, and the treasures we found afterwards was amazing, so now I wanna kill monsters and collect treasure from now on!

(Mountain Dwarf, Folk Hero background, Fighter or Barbarian)

To borrow from one of my favourite episodes of Red Dwarf:

I met an Oblex and must say they was an absolute delight, so much so that I set up an organisation to teach the world about such monsters called the "Committee for the Liberation and Intergration of Terrifying Organisms and their Rehabilitation Into Society". I preach that the world is a dangerous place but with the proper education, and a fair amount of vegetarian quiche (go on give quiche a chance!), we can all live in a united world of peace and harmony. Now I just need to find some like minded individuals to spread the mantra "all you need is love!" but until then I'll use a major...and I mean MAJOR!...leaflet campaign.

Probably go for a GOO Warlock first then multiclass to Redemption Paladin or Peace domain Cleric and see if you die to monsters or party members first.

EDIT: if you don;t know Red Dwarf, its set in space and the episode this comes from is called Polymorph and is well worth the 30mins ro so to watch.

I love that committee, and I love quiche!!

"My name is Jack. I am a Barbarian. To put it into other words, 'SMASH BANG CRASH!'"

(Barbarian. Any species. Any class.)