“As the third son of a noble house, my options in life were both wide and varied, while also narrow a limited: the church being a common choice among my peers was not the life or me (too much kneeling); the law, another likely destination for ‘thirds,’ was also not for me (too much tedium); and for the few families such as mine that could afford it, apprenticeship to a Wizard was available, alas also not for me (too much study). My father had made it clear that a life “in trade” would be no life for a son of his, and the life of a dandy minstrel was, in his words ‘not a life at all, merely a waste of a life better cut short, or cut off,’ his meaning all too clear. So you see all, that is how you find me before you, cut off but happy, lute in hand and ready to play!”
Mother and Father wre aristo's but I always felt more at home in the dives among the lower orders of society. I fell in with some Dwarven bootleggers and found my fun at the bottom of a tankard and in drunken brawls. I wander the realms now in search of the most potent beverages leading taverns in song and genreal merriment and always happy to throw the first punch to start of the tavern brawl.
**an edited idea I had for using variant human to start of with Tavern Brawler (and is purely for thematic effect as it becomes redundant quite quickly), noble background and then going monk (way of the drunken master) as a self taught school of tavern brawling.
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* Need a character idea? Search for "Rob76's Unused" in the Story and Lore section.
Well, my daddy left home when I was three, and he didn't leave very much to my ma and me except this ole guitar and an empty bottle of booze. Now I don't blame him ‘cause he run and hid, but the meanest thing that my daddy ever did was before he left he wanted to name me Sue. Seems I had to fight my whole life through I'll tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named Sue; I grew up quick and I grew up mean, my fist got hard and my wits got keen, roamed from town to town to hide my shame and to kill that man that gave me that awful name.
—Excerpt from a potential character backstory by Johnny Cash
"Seventeen years ago I was born to an elven priestess under the signs of a prophecy. I set out to fulfill this prophecy for my people after we were attacked by gnolls. I don't even care the prophecy was never about me, but about a kid from the other village, I will prove myself worthy of the old expectations."
Well, my daddy left home when I was three, and he didn't leave very much to my ma and me except this ole guitar and an empty bottle of booze. Now I don't blame him ‘cause he run and hid, but the meanest thing that my daddy ever did was before he left he wanted to name me Sue. Seems I had to fight my whole life through I'll tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named Sue; I grew up quick and I grew up mean, my fist got hard and my wits got keen, roamed from town to town to hide my shame and to kill that man that gave me that awful name.
—Excerpt from a potential character backstory by Johnny Cash
Great. Now I have that earworm. Maybe if I try to skip to the end: If I have a kid, I think I'll name him, Bill or George or Larry; anything but Sue!
Nope. Dagnabit! I blame you.
You and your identical twin were born under strange stars in a superstitious village that believed twins were single souls split in twain; an evil state of being for a soul.
Your parents left; pretty much fled the village into the wilderness to keep you two safe while raising you both to survive without the support of other people.
Now that your parents both passed on peacefully, you two are going your separate ways - especially since you keep framing your twin for the bad things you do.
Again: Versatile for heritage and class. Either evil (which doesn't mean annoying) or chaotic alignment makes sense to me, but Lawful doesn't seem to fit in my opinion. The rivalry or animosity between the twins could be a story hook if the DM makes campaigns based around each of the players (and I've seen many who do) or provide other roleplay opportunities (such as situations when someone encounters the twin either prior or after the 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.
Let me get to the point - I have a sharp wit, a sharper tongue, and unfortunately for anyone who crosses me, I let my blades do most of the talking. If you're lucky, the only thing of yours I cut might be the bottom of your coin purse - hey, this chick who's quick can't help but try to nick a bit of coin as a trick on a passing prick. If I may cut to the chase - if you make me run after you, well, not to put too fine a point on it, but be glad I'm quick - you won't suffer too long.
Sword bard / Swashbuckler bounty hunter. Talks a little more than is really prudent, but backs it up with metal.
When I was young, I ran off to be a pirate. Later, they were all killed by the government. After many years I've decided to adventure on the chance I find the captain that killed my comrades.
From birth, your sole purpose was to be wed for continued peace between factions as were many others and considered a great honor to which your parents were compensated greatly on the condition that all their claims to you would end with no identification between which children were born from which parents.
You were given exorbitant care and schooling in several arts to become an appropriate companion to someone you never met.
Just a season prior to the wedding, you were informed that your unknown espoused had died, leaving you without any support from your faction now that you serve no purpose to them.
Versatile framework:
"Arts" could be anything like fighting, subterfuge, magic, whatever, or mix of disciplines; meaning any character class.
Genders, heritage, backgrounds, etc. are open to player discretion; even less-savory backgrounds could be worked into the backstory.
Factions could be nations, kingdoms, realms, towns, camps, etc.
A lack of purpose could be good to start with no defined alignment and let the adventure prove the alignment instead.
The death of the intended could be a story hook; unexpected twists welcomed.
The treatment of worthlessness by a faction that formerly revered the character is a foundation for growth and a good excuse to take up adventuring.
By design, former parents likely to lead to a dead end if pursued by the player; still a growth opportunity even in failure.
Good for level 1 as schooling isn't a direct 1:1 translation into real world experience.
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.
Hello gentle traveller, My name is Elmond Crossant, I am follower of Cyrrollalee and perveyor of food. Where ever I travel I bring the delights of home cooked Halfing food and the blessings of Cyrrollalee. Let us gather round and tell stories over a stew, share quiet reflection over a some pastries and bring joy to the darkest places.
**Goes without saying this is a Halfling Cleric of Cyrrollalee, the god of heath and home, that will eventually always has Create Food and Water and Heroes Feast as available spells, I think LIfe domain but I do like the image of a War domain cleric using a frying pan shaped shield and a warhammer shaped liked a large meat tenderizer, either way flavour all spells with a certain food aesthetic such as custard pie guiding bolt and may need to find a way to get Prestidigitation as a cantrip for the ability to chill, warm and flavour things**
You don’t need to know my name; names are for people, and people are not for me. You don’t need to know where I’m from; homes are for the loved, and that is something I have not been for a very long time. All you need to know is that I am the godsdamned best at what I do; and what I do best is K|I|L|L•F|U|C|K|I|N|G•M|O|N|S|T|E|R|S.
I don't remember much about the time before I died, but I do know that I was a terrible person. I remember red blood and slaughter, a sharp end on a blade, darkness, and a voice asking if I wanted redemption. And now I'm here, with the powers of an angel, following its will, called to redeem myself for terrible deeds I can't remember. (Reborn Celestial Warlock)
I was happy with my friend and family. Then my friend died in the Tithe. Now I ran away so that I can learn from the voice that speaks to me and kill Mother.
(This is for my extremely weird Hexblood Undead Warlock, by the way.)
All stars fade. Some stars forever fall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Homebrew:Magic Items,Monsters,Spells,Subclasses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
I was the only elven wizard in a village full of human farmers. When my nation attacked the nation of elves, I decided to join my people and put an end to the injustice. Now I wander the country, protecting people and helping those in need.
(This one is for my High Elf Bladesinger.)
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All stars fade. Some stars forever fall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Homebrew:Magic Items,Monsters,Spells,Subclasses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
Tulgar was one of a number of unfortunates who woke up with amnesia locked within a compound on the coast surrounded by either the sea, mountains or a desert.
Freeing themselves and recovering their gear most chose to stay on the coast travelling around the edge of this continent surviving on the limited fishing available and the water whatever they can find they can drink.
Tulgar however is a desert elf, so it took him a little while to get his bearings before realising he knew where they were. The rest of the party however has to remind the 58 year old elven child that he has the appearance of an 8 year old and despite being the only ranger they just don't share his confidence.
I know you’re probably expecting some great tale about being born under a sacred sign, and the ground shaking or something, everyone does. Truth is, I had a boring birth, to a boring family, on a boring farm near a boring village out in the middle of nowhere interesting. But my name is Dietrich Shanarl, and I aim to make sure the rest of my life is a lot more interesting.
The great grandchildren are all very nice and love a good story. My favourite such tale is of the time when I tricked the Lord Duddon into leaving the house for a public assembly in only an illusory set of clothes. But that was getting boring, so I've set out to live out some better tales - and maybe add a little to my pension fund.
Across the way from you sits a smallish looking fellow roughly the size and build of a Dwarf with a very long beard but with the un-mistakable tusks and greenish hued skin of an orc....
'Hrrrrumph...The names Dug Dworkin, you want to know more? Mama was a Orc, Papa was a Dwarf, grew up in a small town in the middle of nowhere til damn bandits rolled through and tore the place up. Now? (chuckles) Now I just roam and helps out where I can'
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
* Need a character idea? Search for "Rob76's Unused" in the Story and Lore section.
I used to work as a humble servant of a important noble. One day I was framed for stealing a priceless heirloom and was put in prison for my so called crimes. Very recently I have escaped and now I am on the run for my life.
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“As the third son of a noble house, my options in life were both wide and varied, while also narrow a limited: the church being a common choice among my peers was not the life or me (too much kneeling); the law, another likely destination for ‘thirds,’ was also not for me (too much tedium); and for the few families such as mine that could afford it, apprenticeship to a Wizard was available, alas also not for me (too much study). My father had made it clear that a life “in trade” would be no life for a son of his, and the life of a dandy minstrel was, in his words ‘not a life at all, merely a waste of a life better cut short, or cut off,’ his meaning all too clear. So you see all, that is how you find me before you, cut off but happy, lute in hand and ready to play!”
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Mother and Father wre aristo's but I always felt more at home in the dives among the lower orders of society. I fell in with some Dwarven bootleggers and found my fun at the bottom of a tankard and in drunken brawls. I wander the realms now in search of the most potent beverages leading taverns in song and genreal merriment and always happy to throw the first punch to start of the tavern brawl.
**an edited idea I had for using variant human to start of with Tavern Brawler (and is purely for thematic effect as it becomes redundant quite quickly), noble background and then going monk (way of the drunken master) as a self taught school of tavern brawling.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
"Seventeen years ago I was born to an elven priestess under the signs of a prophecy. I set out to fulfill this prophecy for my people after we were attacked by gnolls. I don't even care the prophecy was never about me, but about a kid from the other village, I will prove myself worthy of the old expectations."
I am also here.
Am snek.
Great. Now I have that earworm. Maybe if I try to skip to the end: If I have a kid, I think I'll name him, Bill or George or Larry; anything but Sue!
Nope. Dagnabit! I blame you.
You and your identical twin were born under strange stars in a superstitious village that believed twins were single souls split in twain; an evil state of being for a soul.
Your parents left; pretty much fled the village into the wilderness to keep you two safe while raising you both to survive without the support of other people.
Now that your parents both passed on peacefully, you two are going your separate ways - especially since you keep framing your twin for the bad things you do.
Again: Versatile for heritage and class. Either evil (which doesn't mean annoying) or chaotic alignment makes sense to me, but Lawful doesn't seem to fit in my opinion. The rivalry or animosity between the twins could be a story hook if the DM makes campaigns based around each of the players (and I've seen many who do) or provide other roleplay opportunities (such as situations when someone encounters the twin either prior or after the 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.
Let me get to the point - I have a sharp wit, a sharper tongue, and unfortunately for anyone who crosses me, I let my blades do most of the talking. If you're lucky, the only thing of yours I cut might be the bottom of your coin purse - hey, this chick who's quick can't help but try to nick a bit of coin as a trick on a passing prick. If I may cut to the chase - if you make me run after you, well, not to put too fine a point on it, but be glad I'm quick - you won't suffer too long.
Sword bard / Swashbuckler bounty hunter. Talks a little more than is really prudent, but backs it up with metal.
When I was young, I ran off to be a pirate. Later, they were all killed by the government. After many years I've decided to adventure on the chance I find the captain that killed my comrades.
From birth, your sole purpose was to be wed for continued peace between factions as were many others and considered a great honor to which your parents were compensated greatly on the condition that all their claims to you would end with no identification between which children were born from which parents.
You were given exorbitant care and schooling in several arts to become an appropriate companion to someone you never met.
Just a season prior to the wedding, you were informed that your unknown espoused had died, leaving you without any support from your faction now that you serve no purpose to them.
Versatile framework:
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.
Hello gentle traveller, My name is Elmond Crossant, I am follower of Cyrrollalee and perveyor of food. Where ever I travel I bring the delights of home cooked Halfing food and the blessings of Cyrrollalee. Let us gather round and tell stories over a stew, share quiet reflection over a some pastries and bring joy to the darkest places.
**Goes without saying this is a Halfling Cleric of Cyrrollalee, the god of heath and home, that will eventually always has Create Food and Water and Heroes Feast as available spells, I think LIfe domain but I do like the image of a War domain cleric using a frying pan shaped shield and a warhammer shaped liked a large meat tenderizer, either way flavour all spells with a certain food aesthetic such as custard pie guiding bolt and may need to find a way to get Prestidigitation as a cantrip for the ability to chill, warm and flavour things**
You don’t need to know my name; names are for people, and people are not for me. You don’t need to know where I’m from; homes are for the loved, and that is something I have not been for a very long time. All you need to know is that I am the godsdamned best at what I do; and what I do best is K|I|L|L•F|U|C|K|I|N|G•M|O|N|S|T|E|R|S.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I don't remember much about the time before I died, but I do know that I was a terrible person. I remember red blood and slaughter, a sharp end on a blade, darkness, and a voice asking if I wanted redemption. And now I'm here, with the powers of an angel, following its will, called to redeem myself for terrible deeds I can't remember. (Reborn Celestial Warlock)
I was happy with my friend and family. Then my friend died in the Tithe. Now I ran away so that I can learn from the voice that speaks to me and kill Mother.
(This is for my extremely weird Hexblood Undead Warlock, by the way.)
All stars fade. Some stars forever fall.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homebrew: Magic Items, Monsters, Spells, Subclasses
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
I was the only elven wizard in a village full of human farmers. When my nation attacked the nation of elves, I decided to join my people and put an end to the injustice. Now I wander the country, protecting people and helping those in need.
(This one is for my High Elf Bladesinger.)
All stars fade. Some stars forever fall.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homebrew: Magic Items, Monsters, Spells, Subclasses
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
Tulgar was one of a number of unfortunates who woke up with amnesia locked within a compound on the coast surrounded by either the sea, mountains or a desert.
Freeing themselves and recovering their gear most chose to stay on the coast travelling around the edge of this continent surviving on the limited fishing available and the water whatever they can find they can drink.
Tulgar however is a desert elf, so it took him a little while to get his bearings before realising he knew where they were. The rest of the party however has to remind the 58 year old elven child that he has the appearance of an 8 year old and despite being the only ranger they just don't share his confidence.
DM mostly, Player occasionally | Session 0 form | He/Him/They/Them
EXTENDED SIGNATURE!
Doctor/Published Scholar/Science and Healthcare Advocate/Critter/Trekkie/Gandalf with a Glock
Try DDB free: Free Rules (2024), premade PCs, adventures, one shots, encounters, SC, homebrew, more
Answers: physical books, purchases, and subbing.
Check out my life-changing
I know you’re probably expecting some great tale about being born under a sacred sign, and the ground shaking or something, everyone does. Truth is, I had a boring birth, to a boring family, on a boring farm near a boring village out in the middle of nowhere interesting. But my name is Dietrich Shanarl, and I aim to make sure the rest of my life is a lot more interesting.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Hello IamSposta,
That one is fire.
DM mostly, Player occasionally | Session 0 form | He/Him/They/Them
EXTENDED SIGNATURE!
Doctor/Published Scholar/Science and Healthcare Advocate/Critter/Trekkie/Gandalf with a Glock
Try DDB free: Free Rules (2024), premade PCs, adventures, one shots, encounters, SC, homebrew, more
Answers: physical books, purchases, and subbing.
Check out my life-changing
The great grandchildren are all very nice and love a good story. My favourite such tale is of the time when I tricked the Lord Duddon into leaving the house for a public assembly in only an illusory set of clothes. But that was getting boring, so I've set out to live out some better tales - and maybe add a little to my pension fund.
Chilling kinda vibe.
Across the way from you sits a smallish looking fellow roughly the size and build of a Dwarf with a very long beard but with the un-mistakable tusks and greenish hued skin of an orc....
'Hrrrrumph...The names Dug Dworkin, you want to know more? Mama was a Orc, Papa was a Dwarf, grew up in a small town in the middle of nowhere til damn bandits rolled through and tore the place up. Now? (chuckles) Now I just roam and helps out where I can'
I used to work as a humble servant of a important noble. One day I was framed for stealing a priceless heirloom and was put in prison for my so called crimes. Very recently I have escaped and now I am on the run for my life.