Good day one and all. I've recently decided to start playing again and have been looking around the site. I came across the random character generator and thought it would be interesting to make use of it as a base to practice writing character backgrounds. Starting at level 3-5 with mixed classes on (to give some variety and something to write on,) looking at the generated stats, classes, race, and maybe the skills and equipment. But without a world to plug them into, locations may be a bit vague. It should be interesting. I'll note the aspects I'll use to base the story on.
Hidden deep in the snowy recess of the tall mountain range, with a little luck, and a lot of skill, you might just come upon the wandering tribe of Ogolakanu (subject to change.) Though, in this case, luck might not be in your favor as this tribe is composed mostly of Goliaths. In most aspects, they are like any other Goliath tribe, strong, powerful nomads that wonder the ice-covered mountains. But unlike most tribes, they dare not ascend the peaks of their mountain homes. For they are laid claim by a powerful beast that none have yet been able to best. A white dragon known as Tingenek lords over this mountain range. It takes joy in watching the goliaths struggle for their survival, and will even inflict disasters upon them from time to time when it becomes bored or to cull the tribe when they seem to be gathering strength to oppose on a large scale. The tribe views the dragon as an obstacle and goal; a great challenge to be overcome, but also a being that hinders the tribe's growth.
Those few goliaths that stand at the peak of the tribe, and feel their abilities may beginning to decline, will go in search of the dragon as a finale challenge and in hopes of giving their tribe a better future. Very few ever return, and those that do, are unsuccessful in slaying the dragon... nor are they alone. The new Goliath parent will often stumble into the tribe or found wandering nearby, bringing new blood into the tribe. Though they usually expire shortly after, their goal of helping to obtain a better future for the tribe accomplished. These Dragonborn brought down from the high peaks are welcomed into the tribe as they bore great strength typically. Though as with all things involving the white dragon of the mountain peaks, caution is a must. Most Dragonborn end up causing some chaos and cast out for violating tribal rules (laws?), to the amusement of the dragon watching. Those few who are able to overcome the nature inherited from their dragon bloodline are a boon to the tribe.
Tazythas is one such boon. Physically, he/she (haven't decided) is quite tall for a dragonborn, but a little on the short side compared to their fellow Goliath tribesmen. A broad, pointed face with the slits of a nose on the slightly protruding snout, the overall profile head shape is triangular. The scales making up the skin are an ashy white color while the eye, sitting in their sunken setting, are a vibrant blue. (Think closer to a T-rex head shape than a typical human's; afterall, this character is a bit closer to the propagator of their Dragonborn line than others.)
He/she takes after their mother who is also one of the few dragonborns remaining within the tribe. Tazythas's father is a bit unique within the tribe. During one year, when the dragon's wraith was quite strong, a small group of young Golaiths decided to seek trade with an outside tribe or town. The group ended up losing their way and spent some years wondering. They meet many other tribes, and small towns, and even a city of dwarves in their journey. After a few years, what few remained of the group managed to find their nomadic home again. Though unsuccessful in their trade, they were, however, able to bring back some new methods and techniques in a variety of different skills, as well as stories that they would happily share during feasts or celebrations. Tazythas grew up listening to their farther's stories until being able to recite them by heart and even eventually turning them into song. From their mother, they learned to control and even channel some of the more evil and destructive thoughts and habits (barbarian rage comes from this.) Being a dragonborn, Tazythas always felt a little isolated from the other tribe members; growing faster than those of the same age and trying to keep his physical gifts (claws, fangs, breath) restrained in to have a more fair competition with others. Tazythas began to see such restraint as a form of training and thusly rarely uses such means. Growing up listening to their farther's stories, Tazythas eventually began to wish for such adventures themself and desired to once again enrich the tribe with the knowledge they would bring back.
Some notes outside of narration:
I tried to keep it gender-neutral since I'm not sure on the gender yet. It could also be said that since Goliaths tend not to differentiate genders, and that most other races are not able to tell the gender of a Dragonborn, it was left vague intentionally... let's go with that.
With a slight tweak to the background, this character could also work with a homebrew druid. Maybe something like limiting the Wild Shape to lizards or serpent types with a few other arctic creatures as well. At a higher level, could be more of a wyrmling/draconic type monster.
I know chromatic dragons don't have an ability to change shape based only on their monster card, but how do you think their portion dragon's blood was mixed into the general Dragonborn race to begin with? Either the dragon's partner had to change shape somehow, the dragon had to change shape, or some alchemic/magical process to infuse the dragon blood with that of a humanoid's.
Why a white dragon? Not only does it match the character's breath, but I also felt the bestial nature of white dragons fit with the barbarian features.
As for why both male and female would return to the tribe with offspring, either the white dragon can change genders when shifting shape, or (my preferred if going to use this as part of an encounter,) there is a mated pair. "Unbeknownst to the tribe, there is not one but two white dragons that inhabit the mountain range. A mated pair that usually live separately in their own territory. Now imagine the party's surprise when, having beaten a white dragon into a corner with little difficulty, another one (maybe a bit stronger?) shows up. No one knew, including the tribe that there were really two all along; after all, the dragons don't allow a large enough force from the local tribes to gather, so they only face the tribesmen one at a time usually, easily handled by one of them."
I have a problem with physical descriptions, especially with the less human-looking characters, so some tips there would be appreciated.
XGtE has some tables for random background generating under the This is Your Life section.
The Xanathar is a famous NPC who's not as knowledgeable as it thinks it is - almost to the point of naiveté. So, the randomly generated backgrounds can be a bit convoluted and outlandish - a real stretch to validate in some combinations. Good practice to be prompted along plot points that one might not have chosen on one's own. Doesn't mean you'll like what comes out or that you must use what you end up having, but it's still good practice just to practice.
EDIT: DMG has some tables regarding quick generation of NPCs. While I use those with NPCs prompted from XGtE, they can also be used as prompts for additional traits of PCs beyond what's in PHB. It includes a couple of physical trait tables, not just personality traits.
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.
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Good day one and all. I've recently decided to start playing again and have been looking around the site. I came across the random character generator and thought it would be interesting to make use of it as a base to practice writing character backgrounds. Starting at level 3-5 with mixed classes on (to give some variety and something to write on,) looking at the generated stats, classes, race, and maybe the skills and equipment. But without a world to plug them into, locations may be a bit vague. It should be interesting. I'll note the aspects I'll use to base the story on.
Feel free to add your own using the same method.
Tazythas Mountaincaller Jerynomonis
Dragonborn Bard 1/Barbarian 2
Tools: Drum, Woodcarver's tools
Hidden deep in the snowy recess of the tall mountain range, with a little luck, and a lot of skill, you might just come upon the wandering tribe of Ogolakanu (subject to change.) Though, in this case, luck might not be in your favor as this tribe is composed mostly of Goliaths. In most aspects, they are like any other Goliath tribe, strong, powerful nomads that wonder the ice-covered mountains. But unlike most tribes, they dare not ascend the peaks of their mountain homes. For they are laid claim by a powerful beast that none have yet been able to best. A white dragon known as Tingenek lords over this mountain range. It takes joy in watching the goliaths struggle for their survival, and will even inflict disasters upon them from time to time when it becomes bored or to cull the tribe when they seem to be gathering strength to oppose on a large scale. The tribe views the dragon as an obstacle and goal; a great challenge to be overcome, but also a being that hinders the tribe's growth.
Those few goliaths that stand at the peak of the tribe, and feel their abilities may beginning to decline, will go in search of the dragon as a finale challenge and in hopes of giving their tribe a better future. Very few ever return, and those that do, are unsuccessful in slaying the dragon... nor are they alone. The new Goliath parent will often stumble into the tribe or found wandering nearby, bringing new blood into the tribe. Though they usually expire shortly after, their goal of helping to obtain a better future for the tribe accomplished. These Dragonborn brought down from the high peaks are welcomed into the tribe as they bore great strength typically. Though as with all things involving the white dragon of the mountain peaks, caution is a must. Most Dragonborn end up causing some chaos and cast out for violating tribal rules (laws?), to the amusement of the dragon watching. Those few who are able to overcome the nature inherited from their dragon bloodline are a boon to the tribe.
Tazythas is one such boon. Physically, he/she (haven't decided) is quite tall for a dragonborn, but a little on the short side compared to their fellow Goliath tribesmen. A broad, pointed face with the slits of a nose on the slightly protruding snout, the overall profile head shape is triangular. The scales making up the skin are an ashy white color while the eye, sitting in their sunken setting, are a vibrant blue. (Think closer to a T-rex head shape than a typical human's; afterall, this character is a bit closer to the propagator of their Dragonborn line than others.)
He/she takes after their mother who is also one of the few dragonborns remaining within the tribe. Tazythas's father is a bit unique within the tribe. During one year, when the dragon's wraith was quite strong, a small group of young Golaiths decided to seek trade with an outside tribe or town. The group ended up losing their way and spent some years wondering. They meet many other tribes, and small towns, and even a city of dwarves in their journey. After a few years, what few remained of the group managed to find their nomadic home again. Though unsuccessful in their trade, they were, however, able to bring back some new methods and techniques in a variety of different skills, as well as stories that they would happily share during feasts or celebrations. Tazythas grew up listening to their farther's stories until being able to recite them by heart and even eventually turning them into song. From their mother, they learned to control and even channel some of the more evil and destructive thoughts and habits (barbarian rage comes from this.) Being a dragonborn, Tazythas always felt a little isolated from the other tribe members; growing faster than those of the same age and trying to keep his physical gifts (claws, fangs, breath) restrained in to have a more fair competition with others. Tazythas began to see such restraint as a form of training and thusly rarely uses such means. Growing up listening to their farther's stories, Tazythas eventually began to wish for such adventures themself and desired to once again enrich the tribe with the knowledge they would bring back.
Some notes outside of narration:
I tried to keep it gender-neutral since I'm not sure on the gender yet. It could also be said that since Goliaths tend not to differentiate genders, and that most other races are not able to tell the gender of a Dragonborn, it was left vague intentionally... let's go with that.
With a slight tweak to the background, this character could also work with a homebrew druid. Maybe something like limiting the Wild Shape to lizards or serpent types with a few other arctic creatures as well. At a higher level, could be more of a wyrmling/draconic type monster.
I know chromatic dragons don't have an ability to change shape based only on their monster card, but how do you think their portion dragon's blood was mixed into the general Dragonborn race to begin with? Either the dragon's partner had to change shape somehow, the dragon had to change shape, or some alchemic/magical process to infuse the dragon blood with that of a humanoid's.
Why a white dragon? Not only does it match the character's breath, but I also felt the bestial nature of white dragons fit with the barbarian features.
As for why both male and female would return to the tribe with offspring, either the white dragon can change genders when shifting shape, or (my preferred if going to use this as part of an encounter,) there is a mated pair. "Unbeknownst to the tribe, there is not one but two white dragons that inhabit the mountain range. A mated pair that usually live separately in their own territory. Now imagine the party's surprise when, having beaten a white dragon into a corner with little difficulty, another one (maybe a bit stronger?) shows up. No one knew, including the tribe that there were really two all along; after all, the dragons don't allow a large enough force from the local tribes to gather, so they only face the tribesmen one at a time usually, easily handled by one of them."
I have a problem with physical descriptions, especially with the less human-looking characters, so some tips there would be appreciated.
XGtE has some tables for random background generating under the This is Your Life section.
The Xanathar is a famous NPC who's not as knowledgeable as it thinks it is - almost to the point of naiveté. So, the randomly generated backgrounds can be a bit convoluted and outlandish - a real stretch to validate in some combinations. Good practice to be prompted along plot points that one might not have chosen on one's own. Doesn't mean you'll like what comes out or that you must use what you end up having, but it's still good practice just to practice.
EDIT: DMG has some tables regarding quick generation of NPCs. While I use those with NPCs prompted from XGtE, they can also be used as prompts for additional traits of PCs beyond what's in PHB. It includes a couple of physical trait tables, not just personality traits.
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.