When I opened the machine and the light came in its eyes, that was my first mistake. I taught it languages, skills, and other proficiencies, including the ways of weapons... but it learned so quickly, it scared even me, and I couldn't help but worry about if it would use its abilities for good. Now that I've faked my death, it has set out to use the skills I taught it to make its place in the world, all while I monitor and judge my creation under disguise.

So there I was, in the arena gathering the magic I needed to cast a spell when all of sudden this goblin came charging over to me snorting and roaring like some rabid bear. Next thing I know I am waking up in the healers tent with a pounding headache, apparently the goblin got the drop on me before I had even got my bearings and the crowd were not amused at my lack of ability. I guess I need to find some people to train me before I head back into the arena.

From my family I carry values and traditions, from my homeland I carry knowledge and culture, from my hopes I carry skills and capabilities.

I had thought I had it all, but I was wrong.

I was missing experience; now I am getting some.

I tough they were all dead, my family, it had been so long, so very long. But then I heard tell from a mysterious stranger that she might still be alive, and where I might find her. Now I’ll do anything to rescue he, or die trying.

Do you hear the drums that beat sound of your end, my Cherished Foe, as I heard them when you came to our city and slew my father, the rightful King, and took our city's wealth and plunged us into the hell of your making?

I asked Her to make sure you could hear them, that they would haunt you, that they would surround you, a constant reminder of my heart still beating, of my vow to end you, of my struggle and my endurance against all you have flung against me.

I made a deal, you see, that I might find the way to bring you down, to destroy your rule and free my people; the sacrifice of my life into her service is well enough a price, so long as one day I can reach you, I can touch you, and I can end you.

After I spit out the loose tooth and wiped the blood outta my eye, I wound up and threw a nasty haymaker to knock the blaggard out. That’s when the others jumped me, but luckily this band of heroes also joined the party and helped to even out the odds, they really saved my ass. After that I joined up with them and now I travel around and get to throw punches at monsters. Ain’t life great!

Coming from so far away, I had no idea what to expect when I got here, and was utterly shocked by the array of strange creatures and the inexplicable powers some of the locals are able to wield. Luckily for me this band of well intentioned individuals took me in, and I now travel with them and aid them in their quests as they explain their world to me. Soon I will have enough information to put together my reports for the command structure and return home, hopefully I can convince them that to invade would be a very costly endeavor.

(Far Traveler background, unknown race, any martial class)

“Me an’ my buddies di’n’t know that makin’ moonshine was illegal cause the ol’ law di’n’t seem tuh mind, in fact, he was one o’ our best customers. When that new po-lice man came around hollerin’ an’ tellin’ us we was goin’ tuh jail, I got skeered an’ made a harble, tarble mistake. I’m afeared I took aholt o’ the shotgun an’… I ain’t proud o’ what I done so now I’m a low down, no count, sorry rullick whose runnin’ from the law an’ would do anythang tuh fix my mistake.”

My initial posting as a new Keeper of Laws was in a small, out of the way village -- I was chosen because the previous Keeper was found drunk, and we do not allow alcohol in this realm. 

Early in my tenure, I came upon miscreants involved in the manufacture and distribution of alcohol, whom I began to castigate for their failures to follow the law; I did not realize they were lifting that great blunderbuss towards me until it was too late.

Rookie mistake, of course, but I survived and now I pursue my fugitive, even if I am now missing an arm.

If I had to sum up my childhood in a single word, it would be “pain.” But it taught me how to be tough, cunning, good in a fight, and to keep my head on a swivel. Now I’ll use those skills to make a name for myself, and a fortune, and then the rest of my life can be relatively pleasurable.

(any race, almost any background, any martial class)

Well, how do y’all, my name’s Sam, and everyone says I’m the best damned spell slinger to come out of Mumphry’s College of Conjuration and Summoning in the last 20 years or more. Before I started school I was just another shopkeeper’s kid from the middle district, since graduating I’m a somebody with mad skills. Now I’m gonna use those skills to get made, get paid, and get laid.

When I was a young halfling in the Marsh Canton, I loved nothing more than reading thrilling tales of adventurers and listening to the bards sing the great sagas of old. When my time of Wanderlust came, I set out to collect and compile the tales and lore of the Wide World, from the forge-songs of the dwarves and battle chants of orcish clans, to the wisdom of elvish lords and legendary deeds of the wild Northmen. I learned along the way that there are certain stories some people might prefer to keep secret...

I love animals, the forest, all of nature really, but... animals are afraid of me - they always run from me and sometimes even attack me when I try to pet them. If I touch them, they get sick and often die. I don't want to hurt anything, especially not innocent animals, so I am traveling far and wide looking for a cure for whatever this curse is.

Maddy, a Yuan-ti and Circle of the Blighted Druid

The day I graduated from the Towers of High Sorcery was the day I first heard the voice and I fled the tower. I roamed the streets as a vagabond but eventually fell in with some local ruffians and earned my way as a busker and thug untill I had a vision. I was guided to an old temple and met the source of the voice I heard long ago and now I walk a new path, guided by the ghosts of a long dead mage.

*based on a rough idea for a bard/warlock I had but it ended up having some rogue and cleric in the build as well. it does use the Mage of High Sorcery background from the Dragonlance setting so might not be usuable in some games.

I was too late that day, trying to answer the call of the forest that I was hearing, tring to answer the driving need of the land that was crying out in despair and loss, a hastily grabbed stick my only weapon, tree bark and vine straps my only armor.

A dozen dead, more wounded, being shoved into the crude cages without care for wounds or thought for their needs, the Goblins laughing as they tore apart the caravan for more stolen goods, the faces of the captured and soon to be enslaved, the callous neglect of the world as it wept around them.

I may still be young and learning, but never again; never again.

I have heard there are mysterious places in the world, filled with treasure and monsters.  So I have been practicing swinging a sword (or casting a spell).  I do so in preparation to plunder these places, or die trying. 

Years ago, I sang songs of my deeds at a tavern; all lies for discounted drinks, warm beds, and comfort company. One day, a great terror came to town but when the scared townsfolk handed me my sword, I fled. The guilt has been so suffocating that it forced me from my quiet home, where I seek out fighting experts so that I may one day stop seeing the terrified faces of those I abandoned to slaughter.

A Valor or maybe Swords Bard I am working on.

For some reason when I speak, people listen and usually do what I say. They give me coin in exchange for my prayers of healing or good fortune to a god I literally made up while nursing a massive hangover. I fell in with these traveling do-gooders for the rep and new crowds with full purses.

Televangelist-inspired PC. Could honestly be any charisma class with a focus on deception and control.

Drek Obsidianthorn, a tiefling sorcerer, bears the lineage of a malevolent black dragon, evident in his ashen skin and horns. Despite his dark ancestry, Drek is on a mission to redeem his family's legacy, using his sorcerous powers to protect the innocent and bring balance to the world, navigating a path between light and darkness.

Six sentences, but short:

Thrown together at the last minute, to get into the game. A fighter, I think. . .sure, that works. Human? Yeah. Came from someplace isolated; doesn't know much. If the group can come up with a decent schedule and this one makes it beyond one play session, then I'll think of something to add. {Fully 3/4 of the characters I've built, over a few decades.}. ;)