My name is Bert and I was a chimney sweep in the city of London during the reign of King Edward. It all changed the day I saw Mary falling out the sky and it looked like an umbrella was making her fall slower than she should of, no sooner had I seen her than a strong gust of wind blew me off my feet and down a chimney. When I recovered i found myself in this odd place with even odder folks where Mary said she brought me to heal up after my fall, I just hope I can get home.
*One for Dick Van Dyke fans, I imagine just going around shouting "Cor blimey its Mary Poppins!" every time he sees someone flying.
When I was younger, one night my father was possessed by something evil and forced to kill my mom and my sister before leaving town. When I got home and found the carnage I almost lost my mind with grief, but instead I swore an oath to find my father and sought out training in things both martial and mystical. Now I travel the world searching for my father to free him from his possessor, and avenge my family’s murders upon whatever unholy thing has taken possession of the man.
I was noble born and well cared for. Regardless, I set about to steal things to fill some kind of void I had felt my entire life. Now, I drink the blood of my victims and have bound my soul in a pact with an undead...
I was always expected to take a place in the city watch like my father and my father’s father before him, but I never wanted to do it. I was trained in combat and weaponry and how to keep my head on a swivel, but I always wanted something more exciting than that out of life. After my town was razed by raiders despite the best efforts of me and the other guards, now I’ll take my training and travel the world with the heroes who defeated those raiders and almost saved my town.
Born from the fire of my father, I come from a wealthy family. My mother was dutiful but is dead now, and I must avenge her. Too bad my home is under siege and the murderer has already died.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A riptide sweeps over the land; you look, it's a fish. The fish snarls and says, "You thought I was a god? No! I am Magikarp!! Obviously."
When blistering hot flames shot forth from my hand and set that poor bastard on fire I almost crapped my pants, I mean, yeah, he was a dick, but he didn’t deserve that. When the constables came after me for the murder I knew I had to get out of town, so I hit the road and eventually met up with this crew here. Now I’m discovering what other powers I might have, and hope to eventually clear my name.
As a DM, all I ask for is: something about your home life; single significant event (good or bad) from your past; and most importantly, why you decided to become an adventurer. Here were a few I whipped up in there 👆, just to get things started:
I was raised in the woodland shadows, eldest daughter of a clan of elite elven scouts and guerillas. Then an ogre murdered my betrothed, destroyed my tribe and went home to raise a flag of wood elf scalps,. Rangers know nothing about favored enemies; I will hunt them from the shadows until every single putrid abomination of Vaprak's spawn has been burned away by the alchemist's fire of my hatred,
(Wood elf, Haunted One, rogue / Taurë Tavárii (homebrew) or Scout)(Swashbuckler is secondary possiblity, since this group prides itself on silent, deadly elegance)
As a DM, all I ask for is: something about your home life; single significant event (good or bad) from your past; and most importantly, why you decided to become an adventurer. Here were a few I whipped up in there 👆, just to get things started:
I was raised in the woodland shadows, eldest daughter of a clan of elite elven scouts and guerillas. Then an ogre murdered my betrothed, destroyed my tribe and went home to raise a flag of wood elf scalps,. Rangers know nothing about favored enemies; I will hunt them from the shadows until every single putrid abomination of Vaprak's spawn has been burned away by the alchemist's fire of my hatred,
(Wood elf, Haunted One, rogue / Taurë Tavárii (homebrew) or Scout)(Swashbuckler is secondary possiblity, since this group prides itself on silent, deadly elegance)
Bonus sneak peek at the ending I'm preparing for the FOUR-sentence character background thread LOL:
"Look into these eyes if you think I lie." <*produces a sun-dried, leathery ogre's head from a handy haversack and dangles it silently before you at eye level by the hair *>
Trying to boil my favorite character down to three sentences...
A daughter of the House of Skye has but one purpose, to ensure the continuation of the line. I was not made for such things. And so, the night before I was to marry, I packed a bag and ran away.
Kind of failed the one major event part, but hard to pin down sexual orientation to one event.🤷♀️
I grew up in a seaside community of folks with half-elven descent like myself, but always wanted to see more of the world than my quaint little fishing village. I first turned my skills towards smuggling as I was naturally inclined towards nautical activities due to my heritage and upbringing. One trip out though, I encountered something vast and powerful from the depths, something that chose to share its power with me in exchange for service, and now I can control the power of the depths myself.
The most famous bard in all the land: that's what everybody says when they see me. But just because some ******* with a lute thought my face was free to be copied when I was younger and handsomer doesn't mean it's actually his. I don't care how many maidens have fainted because of his sly glances- I'm going to make sure the only one with my face is me, one way or another.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
"I grew up in an orphanage as a restless boy who was unable to sit still for more than three minutes. No scholar or blacksmith would let me be apprenticed to them, and I left the orphanage with no future waiting for me. So I found a blade and carved my own path, choosing a life of adventure and war."
(Fighter.)
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.
I didn't have any brothers, so dad needed me to help out at the smithy growing up. After he and mom died from the plague I was told the lease could only be inherited by the oldest living son. So it was a marriage of convenience or the open road.
(Female character, Background Folk Hero, any non-magical class)
I studied with all the best surgeons and doctors, at least I did until we all had a silly misunderstanding and I was cast out. All I did was simply state my fear of apples and how they keep doctors away and suddenly I was no longer taken seriously. Now I am forced to wander and eek out a living and try to show people that doctors keep you healthy not apples.....never apples.
*daft idea for a mad doctor with an irrational fear of apples. Maybe an Artificer/Alchemist with Guild Artisan background.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
* Need a character idea? Search for "Rob76's Unused" in the Story and Lore section.
"My family died of hunger. I made some money playing on the streets and then in the taverns. But recently, a group of adventurers approached me and invited me into their party; Needless to say, I accepted and began a life of battle, glory, gold, and fun!"
Totally ripped off from Oxventure, compressed into "origin-event-purpose" three sentences.
So... spoiler if you haven't seen Unreal Estate by Oxventure:
You're a well-respected member of high society with a grown child who's taken to piracy on the high seas. Though initially thinking it's just some embarrassing rebellious streak your child has that you wish would just go away, you learn that your lineage extends into a long line of pirates. You decide to reconnect with your child by taking to the seas as a pirate of your own making.
In the episode, the child (who is the player character—the parent was an NPC) rejected the parent even though the forgotten and cursed family mansion which only accepted those from the lineage who lived a life of piracy (meaning didn't kill them) was willing to give the formerly "foppish" parent a chance. Quite sad, really. The cursed mansion approved. The child didn't.
Still, the NPC's story might make an interesting backstory for a player character.
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 found a book and read it cover to cover and discovered myself imbued with arcane tricks and magic spells. Hidden in the book were details for a device, a trinket to measure time. Travelling the world I may speed up or slow down but I interfer with the stream of time although others see me as a clown.
* Doctor Who style Chronurgy Wizard or possibly Clockwork Soul Sorcerer doing lots of timey-wimey shenannigans with a book and a small clockwork timepiece as a magical focus and being a little unhinged as you "see" various time streams and try to influence outcomes and mayeb go for a Haregon to go full Mad March Hare.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
* Need a character idea? Search for "Rob76's Unused" in the Story and Lore section.
When I was a child I wandered into a misty forest and was never seen again. The next day, I wandered out of the swirling mist into a village that was identical to my own and was raised by my parents who were not my parents. Now that I'm grown I want to find out what happened to me, what this place is, and why I have spent my years living a life that was not my life.
(Character for Curse of Strahd/Barovia campaign, any class)
My parents were researchers of the natural world who spent long amounts of time deep in the wilderness. When they went missing in Vermont I trekked up into the snowy mountains to find them. I came back alone and missing a leg and now I spend my time killing monsters so that others don't meet a similar fate.
Found as an infant and raised by foster parents, Chloe ran away from home for several months after being taunted by the other Orc children saying she wasn’t really an Orc. Slipping into the Feywild of her infancy, she encountered the being who would become her Patron, the Erl King, who taught the young satyr that appearances can be deceiving, and that if she wished to be known as an Orc, she could accept his Pact and he would teach her. Now reunited with her farming foster family, she has joined with her friends on a Grand Adventure.
Met D&D in 1976 while in the Navy, learning Russian, and fell in love. We were steady for several years, then drifted apart and saw other people. Ran into each other a few years ago and the spark kinda rekindled, ya know? It’s an open relationship and I hang with GURPS and DragonQuest, but we’re all mutuals and it’s good. Open communication is the real key to any polydice, it’s the only real rule.
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My name is Bert and I was a chimney sweep in the city of London during the reign of King Edward. It all changed the day I saw Mary falling out the sky and it looked like an umbrella was making her fall slower than she should of, no sooner had I seen her than a strong gust of wind blew me off my feet and down a chimney. When I recovered i found myself in this odd place with even odder folks where Mary said she brought me to heal up after my fall, I just hope I can get home.
*One for Dick Van Dyke fans, I imagine just going around shouting "Cor blimey its Mary Poppins!" every time he sees someone flying.
When I was younger, one night my father was possessed by something evil and forced to kill my mom and my sister before leaving town. When I got home and found the carnage I almost lost my mind with grief, but instead I swore an oath to find my father and sought out training in things both martial and mystical. Now I travel the world searching for my father to free him from his possessor, and avenge my family’s murders upon whatever unholy thing has taken possession of the man.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I was noble born and well cared for. Regardless, I set about to steal things to fill some kind of void I had felt my entire life. Now, I drink the blood of my victims and have bound my soul in a pact with an undead...
Project Manager of Haphazard Projects
I was always expected to take a place in the city watch like my father and my father’s father before him, but I never wanted to do it. I was trained in combat and weaponry and how to keep my head on a swivel, but I always wanted something more exciting than that out of life. After my town was razed by raiders despite the best efforts of me and the other guards, now I’ll take my training and travel the world with the heroes who defeated those raiders and almost saved my town.
(Any race, Guard background, Fighter)
Born from the fire of my father, I come from a wealthy family. My mother was dutiful but is dead now, and I must avenge her. Too bad my home is under siege and the murderer has already died.
A riptide sweeps over the land; you look, it's a fish. The fish snarls and says, "You thought I was a god? No! I am Magikarp!! Obviously."
When blistering hot flames shot forth from my hand and set that poor bastard on fire I almost crapped my pants, I mean, yeah, he was a dick, but he didn’t deserve that. When the constables came after me for the murder I knew I had to get out of town, so I hit the road and eventually met up with this crew here. Now I’m discovering what other powers I might have, and hope to eventually clear my name.
(Any race, any background, Sorcerer)
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Bonus sneak peek at the ending I'm preparing for the FOUR-sentence character background thread LOL:
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Trying to boil my favorite character down to three sentences...
A daughter of the House of Skye has but one purpose, to ensure the continuation of the line. I was not made for such things. And so, the night before I was to marry, I packed a bag and ran away.
Kind of failed the one major event part, but hard to pin down sexual orientation to one event.🤷♀️
I grew up in a seaside community of folks with half-elven descent like myself, but always wanted to see more of the world than my quaint little fishing village. I first turned my skills towards smuggling as I was naturally inclined towards nautical activities due to my heritage and upbringing. One trip out though, I encountered something vast and powerful from the depths, something that chose to share its power with me in exchange for service, and now I can control the power of the depths myself.
(Aquatic Half-Elf, Smuggler background, Fathomless Warlock)
The most famous bard in all the land: that's what everybody says when they see me. But just because some ******* with a lute thought my face was free to be copied when I was younger and handsomer doesn't mean it's actually his. I don't care how many maidens have fainted because of his sly glances- I'm going to make sure the only one with my face is me, one way or another.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
"I grew up in an orphanage as a restless boy who was unable to sit still for more than three minutes. No scholar or blacksmith would let me be apprenticed to them, and I left the orphanage with no future waiting for me. So I found a blade and carved my own path, choosing a life of adventure and war."
(Fighter.)
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.I didn't have any brothers, so dad needed me to help out at the smithy growing up. After he and mom died from the plague I was told the lease could only be inherited by the oldest living son. So it was a marriage of convenience or the open road.
(Female character, Background Folk Hero, any non-magical class)
I studied with all the best surgeons and doctors, at least I did until we all had a silly misunderstanding and I was cast out. All I did was simply state my fear of apples and how they keep doctors away and suddenly I was no longer taken seriously. Now I am forced to wander and eek out a living and try to show people that doctors keep you healthy not apples.....never apples.
*daft idea for a mad doctor with an irrational fear of apples. Maybe an Artificer/Alchemist with Guild Artisan background.
"My family died of hunger. I made some money playing on the streets and then in the taverns. But recently, a group of adventurers approached me and invited me into their party; Needless to say, I accepted and began a life of battle, glory, gold, and fun!"
(Bard.)
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.Totally ripped off from Oxventure, compressed into "origin-event-purpose" three sentences.
So... spoiler if you haven't seen Unreal Estate by Oxventure:
You're a well-respected member of high society with a grown child who's taken to piracy on the high seas. Though initially thinking it's just some embarrassing rebellious streak your child has that you wish would just go away, you learn that your lineage extends into a long line of pirates. You decide to reconnect with your child by taking to the seas as a pirate of your own making.
In the episode, the child (who is the player character—the parent was an NPC) rejected the parent even though the forgotten and cursed family mansion which only accepted those from the lineage who lived a life of piracy (meaning didn't kill them) was willing to give the formerly "foppish" parent a chance. Quite sad, really. The cursed mansion approved. The child didn't.
Still, the NPC's story might make an interesting backstory for a player character.
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 found a book and read it cover to cover and discovered myself imbued with arcane tricks and magic spells. Hidden in the book were details for a device, a trinket to measure time. Travelling the world I may speed up or slow down but I interfer with the stream of time although others see me as a clown.
* Doctor Who style Chronurgy Wizard or possibly Clockwork Soul Sorcerer doing lots of timey-wimey shenannigans with a book and a small clockwork timepiece as a magical focus and being a little unhinged as you "see" various time streams and try to influence outcomes and mayeb go for a Haregon to go full Mad March Hare.
When I was a child I wandered into a misty forest and was never seen again. The next day, I wandered out of the swirling mist into a village that was identical to my own and was raised by my parents who were not my parents. Now that I'm grown I want to find out what happened to me, what this place is, and why I have spent my years living a life that was not my life.
(Character for Curse of Strahd/Barovia campaign, any class)
My parents were researchers of the natural world who spent long amounts of time deep in the wilderness. When they went missing in Vermont I trekked up into the snowy mountains to find them. I came back alone and missing a leg and now I spend my time killing monsters so that others don't meet a similar fate.
*Any race/outlander/ranger*
Chloe "Burnbutt", Satyr Warlock
Found as an infant and raised by foster parents, Chloe ran away from home for several months after being taunted by the other Orc children saying she wasn’t really an Orc. Slipping into the Feywild of her infancy, she encountered the being who would become her Patron, the Erl King, who taught the young satyr that appearances can be deceiving, and that if she wished to be known as an Orc, she could accept his Pact and he would teach her. Now reunited with her farming foster family, she has joined with her friends on a Grand Adventure.
”You’re terribly short for an Orc.”
”That’s not what my Mama says!”
Met D&D in 1976 while in the Navy, learning Russian, and fell in love. We were steady for several years, then drifted apart and saw other people. Ran into each other a few years ago and the spark kinda rekindled, ya know? It’s an open relationship and I hang with GURPS and DragonQuest, but we’re all mutuals and it’s good. Open communication is the real key to any polydice, it’s the only real rule.