When my mother threw me out onto the streets I had no one else to turn to and nowhere else to go. Life on the streets was tough, and it made me grow up tougher, develop my skills, and generally become something of a badass. Now I have enough money to start a career marketing my attributes, and I’ll get so rich I can live wherever I want.
I used to make and sell candles, soaps, perfumes, and oils, among other things but I was always much better at the making part than the selling part, and eventually went out of business. I’m still very good at making things, and hope to make my living that way, but not in trade. Luckily I picked up a few tricks on how to meld magic with my wares, and have hired on to this group of adventure seekers as their fixer.
I used to make and sell candles, soaps, perfumes, and oils, among other things but I was always much better at the making part than the selling part, and eventually went out of business. I’m still very good at making things, and hope to make my living that way, but not in trade. Luckily I picked up a few tricks on how to meld magic with my wares, and have hired on to this group of adventure seekers as their fixer.
(Any Race, Failed Merchant Background, Artificer)
And the group has never smelled better! ...which was unfortunate when the Adult Black Dragon immediately knew where the party was when they first set foot in the marsh.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider. My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong. I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲 “It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
I was happy for most of my life, living a very simple life as a farmer. Then I heard the wicked sound of that cursed laughter descending down the mountains one night. I woke up the following morning, the town I called home had been ravaged by gnolls and the people were turning to me to find out what and why this had happened.
"Nicely met my friend! I am Larryien Rupert Billy Von Jeremystein the 17th, of the legendary Rupert Billy Von Jeremystein family. I have studied magic for quite some time now and had access to some quite exquisite materials; I will now use my powers to adventure, help others, and win gold and glory."
(Noble Wizard. Any species.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explainHERE.
Honestly (and that isn't something I say often), I thought that goblin attacking the travelers was someone who owed me money. I beat him up and was treated as a hero, they obviously don't know who I really am. Now they are paying me to go around beating up more goblins, most of which actually do owe me money, and I get treated as a hero!
My uncle raised me as a human in a small farming community not far from the elven forest, said I was 'alf-human, which was human enough for 'im. But I never really fit in there, the other children being jealous of my elven traits, and suspicious of our differences. When I came of age I signed on with the army to see some of the world, and now I plan to take my combat training and make a name and a fortune to take back to my uncle, the only person who ever showed me love.
My family was murdered by a secret organization but through a stroke of luck I escaped as an infant. I waddled into a graveyard, and the spirits there promised to raise me, protect me, and teach me the ways of the dead. Now I have left the graveyard empowered by the knowledge of the dead and will not fail in my quest to bring the murderers to justice, or at least my own special brand of justice.
(Haunted One, Phantom Rogue, Necromancer, Grave Cleric, or something similar)
For a Changling Aberrant Mind Sorcerer with the Bouty Hunter background. Designed for an adventure that takes place in a single city.
As the eldest child of the chief of a band of ***** changelings, I was appalled when the decision was made for the band to give up traveling and put down roots running a hotel in a large city. In the 10 years since, I've been traveling solo, working as a Protector Of The Masquerade, hunting down other changelings that besmirch the already dubious reputation of our kind by using our blessed abilities to commit crimes or other antisocial acts. Yesterday, out of the blue, I received a summons from my "mother" calling me home. Little do I know my "father", the leader of our band of ***** changelings, has dementia, and wants me to inherit his carefully cultivated personas before they are lost forever into his devolving mind.
Since my da is an orc, I came out bigger an’ stronger than the other kids, and pro’ly a little more rough and tumble too, heh. When the raiders came, I was told to protect the smaller kids if anyone came after us in our hiding place, and they did, so I did what I was told and protected them. Now that I’m older, I plan to use my skills to further benefit my village by seeking a fortune to bring back and share with everyone.
(...or if you're into that stuff, Cards Against Humanity version where someone randomly supplies words for you to use, or if you want a group effort, the Cadavre Exquis version where different people take a turn at each part of the compound sentence.)
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider. My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong. I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲 “It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
I was a dutiful wife and mother. It's just there's so much I want to do with this life and it feels that I haven't done any of it. You know, the sand is running out of the hourglass, and I want to look back and say, ‘see, I did that, that was me, I was reckless, and I was wild, and I ******* did it.’
I absolutely want to twist this into:
I was a dutiful wife and mother, but there's no profit in that. Don't get me wrong; I love my husband and child; it's just that I love wealth and power more. So, I have left my family behind to seek fame and fortune.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.
No doubt you've noticed the fine weapon in 'my' hands? Well that's the real me and my mind is stuck in this ridiculous humanoid body while their mind is in my old body. Here I was a perfectly happy magic weapon waiting for the prophesised chosen one to find me when this great lummox picked me up without reading the right prophecy and now I have to go and find a way to swap us back!
I ain't really a minotaur, I just look like one. I am actually a sorcerer who tried to transform into a cow (you don't want to know why) but my chaotic magic only made it work half way. Now I walk around as a half-man, half-cow and everyone keeps shoving me in mazes.
My mom always told me that I could be anything I wanted when I grew up. I always wanted to be a wizardess, and travel the world learning great magic wherever I went. Now that I’ve grown up enough, and trained up some, I’m off to tour the world and learn that great magic.
An ill-concieved background and even more ill-concieved challenge......
The Background:
People call me mad, obessed and worse things but it's all because I love the number 13, I'm a Triksaidekaphile. I was content to remain in my library and study the mundane and supernatural rammifications of the number 13 but recently discovered that those of adventurous and mercenary ilk can be classified into one of 13 archetypes and now I feel compelled to go out and find these individuals to study them. I shall not return home until my goal is completed.
The Challenge:
Race/Lineage can be whatever you want but background must be Sage. All ability scores are 13, no higher, no lower, if you get ability score bonuses from your race/lineage or from a feat these are lost. The goal of the challenge is to become level 13 and have one level in each class (Artificer, Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock and Wizard). Neddless to say this will require your DM to be ok with what you are trying to do.
Hard mode challenge: Only level up into a class that you have talked with and trained with during the course of your adventures.
Very hard mode challenge: Level up alphabetically, starting as a level 1 Artificer then finding and training with a Barbarian etc.
Bonus point if you can convince your DM to let you score critical hits on a natual roll of 13 instead of 20 (this might be busted but I'm no probability expert/statistician so not sure if the chance to roll a natural 13 and a natural 20 are the same or not).
As a Warforged, I was built to guard my master. When he died of old age, I was lost and without purpose. In my wanderings, I encountered a holy knight who convinced me to join his order.
When my mother threw me out onto the streets I had no one else to turn to and nowhere else to go. Life on the streets was tough, and it made me grow up tougher, develop my skills, and generally become something of a badass. Now I have enough money to start a career marketing my attributes, and I’ll get so rich I can live wherever I want.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I used to make and sell candles, soaps, perfumes, and oils, among other things but I was always much better at the making part than the selling part, and eventually went out of business. I’m still very good at making things, and hope to make my living that way, but not in trade. Luckily I picked up a few tricks on how to meld magic with my wares, and have hired on to this group of adventure seekers as their fixer.
(Any Race, Failed Merchant Background, Artificer)
And the group has never smelled better! ...which was unfortunate when the Adult Black Dragon immediately knew where the party was when they first set foot in the marsh.
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider.
My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong.
I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲
“It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
I was happy for most of my life, living a very simple life as a farmer. Then I heard the wicked sound of that cursed laughter descending down the mountains one night. I woke up the following morning, the town I called home had been ravaged by gnolls and the people were turning to me to find out what and why this had happened.
Check out my publication on DMs Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Tawmis%20Logue
Check out my comedy web series - Neverending Nights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wr4-u9-zw0&list=PLbRG7dzFI-u3EJd0usasgDrrFO3mZ1lOZ
Need a character story/background written up? I do it for free (but also take donations!) - https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?591882-Need-a-character-background-written-up
"Nicely met my friend! I am Larryien Rupert Billy Von Jeremystein the 17th, of the legendary Rupert Billy Von Jeremystein family. I have studied magic for quite some time now and had access to some quite exquisite materials; I will now use my powers to adventure, help others, and win gold and glory."
(Noble Wizard. Any species.)
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explain
HERE.Honestly (and that isn't something I say often), I thought that goblin attacking the travelers was someone who owed me money. I beat him up and was treated as a hero, they obviously don't know who I really am. Now they are paying me to go around beating up more goblins, most of which actually do owe me money, and I get treated as a hero!
(Criminal, Charlatan, or something similar)
My uncle raised me as a human in a small farming community not far from the elven forest, said I was 'alf-human, which was human enough for 'im. But I never really fit in there, the other children being jealous of my elven traits, and suspicious of our differences. When I came of age I signed on with the army to see some of the world, and now I plan to take my combat training and make a name and a fortune to take back to my uncle, the only person who ever showed me love.
(Wood Half-Elf, Soldier, Fighter)
My family was murdered by a secret organization but through a stroke of luck I escaped as an infant. I waddled into a graveyard, and the spirits there promised to raise me, protect me, and teach me the ways of the dead. Now I have left the graveyard empowered by the knowledge of the dead and will not fail in my quest to bring the murderers to justice, or at least my own special brand of justice.
(Haunted One, Phantom Rogue, Necromancer, Grave Cleric, or something similar)
For a Changling Aberrant Mind Sorcerer with the Bouty Hunter background. Designed for an adventure that takes place in a single city.
As the eldest child of the chief of a band of ***** changelings, I was appalled when the decision was made for the band to give up traveling and put down roots running a hotel in a large city. In the 10 years since, I've been traveling solo, working as a Protector Of The Masquerade, hunting down other changelings that besmirch the already dubious reputation of our kind by using our blessed abilities to commit crimes or other antisocial acts. Yesterday, out of the blue, I received a summons from my "mother" calling me home. Little do I know my "father", the leader of our band of ***** changelings, has dementia, and wants me to inherit his carefully cultivated personas before they are lost forever into his devolving mind.
Since my da is an orc, I came out bigger an’ stronger than the other kids, and pro’ly a little more rough and tumble too, heh. When the raiders came, I was told to protect the smaller kids if anyone came after us in our hiding place, and they did, so I did what I was told and protected them. Now that I’m older, I plan to use my skills to further benefit my village by seeking a fortune to bring back and share with everyone.
(Half-Orc, Folk Hero, Barbarian/Fighter/Paladin)
I had a great young life as a farmer. It bored me to tears! The road goes ever on
I was a [origin], but [significant event] happened, and now, I adventure for [reason].
Mad Libs version. (Official site.)
(...or if you're into that stuff, Cards Against Humanity version where someone randomly supplies words for you to use, or if you want a group effort, the Cadavre Exquis version where different people take a turn at each part of the compound sentence.)
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider.
My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong.
I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲
“It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
I absolutely want to twist this into:
I was a dutiful wife and mother, but there's no profit in that. Don't get me wrong; I love my husband and child; it's just that I love wealth and power more. So, I have left my family behind to seek fame and fortune.
A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.
Y’know, it’s been quite a while since I looked at the first page of this thread. Congrats to the three high rollers with double digit likes!!
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
No doubt you've noticed the fine weapon in 'my' hands? Well that's the real me and my mind is stuck in this ridiculous humanoid body while their mind is in my old body. Here I was a perfectly happy magic weapon waiting for the prophesised chosen one to find me when this great lummox picked me up without reading the right prophecy and now I have to go and find a way to swap us back!
(Anyone with a nice looking weapon.)
I ain't really a minotaur, I just look like one. I am actually a sorcerer who tried to transform into a cow (you don't want to know why) but my chaotic magic only made it work half way. Now I walk around as a half-man, half-cow and everyone keeps shoving me in mazes.
(Wild magic sorcerer, minotaur)
My mom always told me that I could be anything I wanted when I grew up. I always wanted to be a wizardess, and travel the world learning great magic wherever I went. Now that I’ve grown up enough, and trained up some, I’m off to tour the world and learn that great magic.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
An ill-concieved background and even more ill-concieved challenge......
The Background:
People call me mad, obessed and worse things but it's all because I love the number 13, I'm a Triksaidekaphile. I was content to remain in my library and study the mundane and supernatural rammifications of the number 13 but recently discovered that those of adventurous and mercenary ilk can be classified into one of 13 archetypes and now I feel compelled to go out and find these individuals to study them. I shall not return home until my goal is completed.
The Challenge:
Race/Lineage can be whatever you want but background must be Sage. All ability scores are 13, no higher, no lower, if you get ability score bonuses from your race/lineage or from a feat these are lost. The goal of the challenge is to become level 13 and have one level in each class (Artificer, Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock and Wizard). Neddless to say this will require your DM to be ok with what you are trying to do.
Hard mode challenge: Only level up into a class that you have talked with and trained with during the course of your adventures.
Very hard mode challenge: Level up alphabetically, starting as a level 1 Artificer then finding and training with a Barbarian etc.
Bonus point if you can convince your DM to let you score critical hits on a natual roll of 13 instead of 20 (this might be busted but I'm no probability expert/statistician so not sure if the chance to roll a natural 13 and a natural 20 are the same or not).
As a Warforged, I was built to guard my master. When he died of old age, I was lost and without purpose. In my wanderings, I encountered a holy knight who convinced me to join his order.
GREAT idea btw!