I have an idea for a background I need a little help brainstorming.
You know how there are tales of different creatures like sirens, mermaids, harpies, and others luring people to their doom with their haunting melody and beauty? The basic idea is that people with this background have encountered one of these creatures and survived.
In my mind, not all of these luring creatures are out to kill or eat their hapless prey. Some might be into magically luring people for a quick romantic romp, and then dump them just as soon because they are so promiscuous and possibly heartless.
Survivors of these encounters always yearn to find that creature again. They might look to them as a muse of sorts. Or it could affect them in a sad way like they believe that they are not capable of falling in love again except with their siren.
One feature I know for sure I want to include in this is a fun little detriment. When the character hears a female singing, even if not in a familiar language to them, there is a chance they will be magically lulled to the singer for a short while, maybe a few minutes. Should this be a saving throw? CHA or WIS? And what save DC? Or would it be better as a secret percentile roll of sort?
What else do you think would be good inclusions for this as for skill, language, tool, instrument proficiencies?
Sounds intriguing. So, backgrounds usually have a summary, then a Suggested Characteristics table for each of Personality Traits, Ideals, Bonds and Flaws; then, proficiencies and a beneficial feature or two. These are usually niche actions, such as the Fisher background with Harvest the Water (when you have access to a suitable body of water for fishing, you can feed yourself and up to 10 others) and Fishing Tale (you can tell a rousing story of the fish that got away to befriend willing listeners).
For Siren Sung, you've got some neat ideas in there, but you could make it more open-ended. Instead of "Survivors of these encounters always yearn to find that creature again.", have finding the creature again as a possibility on the Bonds table. Likewise with the reaction to hearing singing, you don't need to codify the response to hearing singing with a DC - it could simply be an item on the Personality Traits table, something like "I can't pass up the opportunity to listen to a beautiful song."
Other traits - could be promiscuous/uninterested in being tethered to long relationships, don't trust surface beauty, I see the face of my siren everywhere, and so on.
Adding to the possibilities for this background, rather than a survivor, they could even be the child of a union with a siren or selkie, some creature of the ocean.
Offhand, some possible beneficial effects you could gain from this background:
Uncanny insight for whether an alluring call is genuine or a trap
Insight for detecting mimicry/luring effects like a kenku's mimicked sounds
Resistance to being charmed (and/or frightened) by sound/advantage on saves against
A feature like the Fisher's Fishing Tale - chance to befriend people by telling them what/how you survived
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Currently homebrewing the Mistveil Rogue, an elusive infiltrator that can vanish into thin air.
Adding to the possibilities for this background, rather than a survivor, they could even be the child of a union with a siren or selkie, some creature of the ocean.
Well that is actually going to be a separate story thing for my little homebrew Fey world and was really planning on having that only apply to a couple npcs. But it could also be a potential background all on its own.
I like pretty much everything you said, so thank you, good advice. However I really feel as though them having to make some easy low dc save when hearing a singing woman is a key part to this whole thing. They are just enthralled and will wander off to find and admire the singer. These will all be Fey siren like creatures. Myths say once you taste Fey food, non Fey food never tastes as good, if even bland. So same with a beautiful Fey singer they got intimate with. But even while enthralled, they'd have enough sense to stay out of danger. And it would only last maybe just a few minutes. So what would either a WIS or CHA save be for this so it would be low enough to not be too much of a nuisance, but not so low its an almost guaranteed success? Whats usual for something like that? 13?
At the moment, that background sounds like a small hindrance - but does it grant any benefit? Do you want it to be a full mechanical background that grants starting proficiencies and equipment, or more of an additional quirk for a particular character like Caleb's fire trauma response in Critical Role, for example?
As for typical DCs for ability checks:
Task Difficulty
DC
Very easy
5
Easy
10
Medium
15
Hard
20
Very hard
25
Nearly impossible
30
For comparison, a harpy (CR 1 monster) has a luring song that requires a DC 11 Wisdom saving throw to resist.
As a general background, I still don't think it needs to be tied to a DC and saving throw as backgrounds don't tend to work like that. Offhand, I can't think of one that stipulates a DC or ability check. E.g. the Charlatan background feature says you have created a second identity - it doesn't go so far as to say "creatures must succeed a DC 10 Wisdom (Insight) check to see through your second identity". Backgrounds tend to be descriptive, but not prescriptive like "you must make a saving throw or...".
Charlatan Feature: False Identity
You have created a second identity that includes documentation, established acquaintances, and disguises that allow you to assume that persona. Additionally, you can forge documents including official papers and personal letters, as long as you have seen an example of the kind of document or the handwriting you are trying to copy.
But for your specific background and setting, it can be whatever you like. How often would you expect it to be relevant? Is it any singer, or a particular fey singer? Because if it's a particular fey singer/multiple creatures of the same type, you could make it a feature of that creature/encounter that characters with the Siren Sung background must make a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw or be lured to the source of the song.
Just for fun, I had a go at fleshing out a possible background:
Siren Sung
You survived an encounter with an alluring entity whose presence haunts you still. You understand how to enthrall others as your siren once entranced you. Your music and voice carry something of their spirit and your longing or fear to find them again.
Tool Proficiencies: One type of musical instrument
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A musical instrument (one of your choice), a token of your siren (scale, feather, lock of hair, or trinket), a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp.
Siren Origins
A fair face can mask foul intent, fiendish malice, or fey trickery. Choose one or roll on the table below to determine the nature of your siren.
d6
Siren Origins
1
A harpy nearly made a meal of you, luring you into her bloody bonefield.
2
A dryad sheltered you in her grove but you were forced to sneak away when she wouldn't let you leave.
3
A banshee laid waste to your camp and you don't know why she left you unscathed.
4
A succubus enthralled you for a time, and cried your name as she was banished to the Abyss.
5
An aasimar blessed you with her spellbinding song, and you haven't heard the like since.
6
A beautiful merfolk saved you from drowning and sang a haunting farewell as you walked where she could not follow.
Feature: Arresting Presence
(reskin of the Entertainer's Feature, By Popular Demand)
When you perform, people listen. You can command the attention of a room by weaving music or tall tales, and inns and taverns often make you welcome for the additional custom you attract. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food of a modest or comfortable standard (depending on the quality of the establishment), as long as you perform each night. In addition, your performance makes you something of a local figure. When strangers recognize you in a town where you have performed, they typically respect your judgement.
Suggested Characteristics
Such an encounter leaves an indelible mark on siren sung individuals. They tend towards melancholy and wanderlust, forever searching. While they can appreciate beauty and romance, they cannot help but question the intentions behind a pretty smile.
d8
Personality Trait
1
I can't pass up the opportunity to hear a good song.
2
Whenever I come to a new place, I seek out rumors and gossip.
3
I resist being tethered to home and hearth.
4
I collect songs of all kinds, even in languages I do not understand.
5
I always have a tune in my head.
6
I am always respectful, and expect the same in return.
7
I’ll settle for nothing less than perfection.
8
I tell good stories, but they all have sad endings.
d6
Ideal
1
Beauty. When I perform, I create moments of wonder. (Good)
2
Perfection. I have heard perfection, and I will recreate it one day. (Lawful)
3
Hope. There is purpose in seeking, whether I find it or not. (Chaotic)
4
Control. Sheep need a shepherd, and I deserve to lead. (Evil)
5
Freedom. I may stay, but I must be free to go. (Neutral)
6
Honesty. Comforting lies and false faces do more harm than good. (Any)
d6
Bond
1
I will discover the true nature and intent of my siren.
2
I must find an instrument that evokes my siren's call.
3
I will save others from being lured as I was.
4
I was lucky to survive, and I will make myself deserving of it.
5
I will roam until I find a place that truly calls me home.
6
I will prove that my siren was more than a monster.
d6
Flaw
1
I toy with the emotions of those attracted to me.
2
I instinctively distrust beautiful people.
3
I fear to return to my siren's domain, and will go to great lengths to avoid it.
4
I hold people to impossible standards.
5
I have trouble swallowing a lie, and call out those I shouldn't.
I'm not going to improve on spruce, but if you're interested in using the 2024 rules, an appropriate feat for the background may be something like fey-touched from Tasha's.
Wow Spruce, that looks really good. Thank you. I'll tweak it up a little bit later. Some notes:
I said this would apply whenever the character hears any female singing, even if not in a language they know. As even a haunting foreign voice can lull people. So I was considering lowering save DC one point if in an unfamiliar language.
And I already have a plan for if another female party member sings or plays a bard. I'll have story something where that specific charm of hers would no affect the character.
For frequency: Even in my little homebrew world full of fey, I don't imagine this coming up too often honestly.
Was thinking of limiting the bonus language to just Sylvan, or maybe include specific monster languages if there are any like Harpy
I was already going to include a whole bunch of third party supplements in this. 5e doesn't not have enough fey creatures for my liking lol. And some of 5e's creatures should be fey but aren't, and vice versa. And I'm remaking some monsters to be more fitting to real world fairy and folk tales. Like if you've seen my post on how I'm going to totally overhaul trolls.
So yeah I'm going to tweak it slightly when I have time. But thanks again.
I'm not going to improve on spruce, but if you're interested in using the 2024 rules, an appropriate feat for the background may be something like fey-touched from Tasha's.
That is a good idea, but maybe not for what I have in mind. I imagine any mechanical benefits from such an encounter in this background would be fairly minor. So learning two new spells and an ASI might be too much just in my opinion. But thanks anyway.
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I have an idea for a background I need a little help brainstorming.
You know how there are tales of different creatures like sirens, mermaids, harpies, and others luring people to their doom with their haunting melody and beauty? The basic idea is that people with this background have encountered one of these creatures and survived.
In my mind, not all of these luring creatures are out to kill or eat their hapless prey. Some might be into magically luring people for a quick romantic romp, and then dump them just as soon because they are so promiscuous and possibly heartless.
Survivors of these encounters always yearn to find that creature again. They might look to them as a muse of sorts. Or it could affect them in a sad way like they believe that they are not capable of falling in love again except with their siren.
One feature I know for sure I want to include in this is a fun little detriment. When the character hears a female singing, even if not in a familiar language to them, there is a chance they will be magically lulled to the singer for a short while, maybe a few minutes. Should this be a saving throw? CHA or WIS? And what save DC? Or would it be better as a secret percentile roll of sort?
What else do you think would be good inclusions for this as for skill, language, tool, instrument proficiencies?
"Siren Sung" is working title for this.
Sounds intriguing. So, backgrounds usually have a summary, then a Suggested Characteristics table for each of Personality Traits, Ideals, Bonds and Flaws; then, proficiencies and a beneficial feature or two. These are usually niche actions, such as the Fisher background with Harvest the Water (when you have access to a suitable body of water for fishing, you can feed yourself and up to 10 others) and Fishing Tale (you can tell a rousing story of the fish that got away to befriend willing listeners).
For Siren Sung, you've got some neat ideas in there, but you could make it more open-ended. Instead of "Survivors of these encounters always yearn to find that creature again.", have finding the creature again as a possibility on the Bonds table. Likewise with the reaction to hearing singing, you don't need to codify the response to hearing singing with a DC - it could simply be an item on the Personality Traits table, something like "I can't pass up the opportunity to listen to a beautiful song."
Other traits - could be promiscuous/uninterested in being tethered to long relationships, don't trust surface beauty, I see the face of my siren everywhere, and so on.
Adding to the possibilities for this background, rather than a survivor, they could even be the child of a union with a siren or selkie, some creature of the ocean.
Offhand, some possible beneficial effects you could gain from this background:
Currently homebrewing the Mistveil Rogue, an elusive infiltrator that can vanish into thin air.
Well that is actually going to be a separate story thing for my little homebrew Fey world and was really planning on having that only apply to a couple npcs. But it could also be a potential background all on its own.
I like pretty much everything you said, so thank you, good advice. However I really feel as though them having to make some easy low dc save when hearing a singing woman is a key part to this whole thing. They are just enthralled and will wander off to find and admire the singer. These will all be Fey siren like creatures. Myths say once you taste Fey food, non Fey food never tastes as good, if even bland. So same with a beautiful Fey singer they got intimate with. But even while enthralled, they'd have enough sense to stay out of danger. And it would only last maybe just a few minutes. So what would either a WIS or CHA save be for this so it would be low enough to not be too much of a nuisance, but not so low its an almost guaranteed success? Whats usual for something like that? 13?
At the moment, that background sounds like a small hindrance - but does it grant any benefit? Do you want it to be a full mechanical background that grants starting proficiencies and equipment, or more of an additional quirk for a particular character like Caleb's fire trauma response in Critical Role, for example?
As for typical DCs for ability checks:
For comparison, a harpy (CR 1 monster) has a luring song that requires a DC 11 Wisdom saving throw to resist.
As a general background, I still don't think it needs to be tied to a DC and saving throw as backgrounds don't tend to work like that. Offhand, I can't think of one that stipulates a DC or ability check. E.g. the Charlatan background feature says you have created a second identity - it doesn't go so far as to say "creatures must succeed a DC 10 Wisdom (Insight) check to see through your second identity". Backgrounds tend to be descriptive, but not prescriptive like "you must make a saving throw or...".
But for your specific background and setting, it can be whatever you like. How often would you expect it to be relevant? Is it any singer, or a particular fey singer? Because if it's a particular fey singer/multiple creatures of the same type, you could make it a feature of that creature/encounter that characters with the Siren Sung background must make a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw or be lured to the source of the song.
Just for fun, I had a go at fleshing out a possible background:
Currently homebrewing the Mistveil Rogue, an elusive infiltrator that can vanish into thin air.
I'm not going to improve on spruce, but if you're interested in using the 2024 rules, an appropriate feat for the background may be something like fey-touched from Tasha's.
Wow Spruce, that looks really good. Thank you. I'll tweak it up a little bit later. Some notes:
I said this would apply whenever the character hears any female singing, even if not in a language they know. As even a haunting foreign voice can lull people. So I was considering lowering save DC one point if in an unfamiliar language.
And I already have a plan for if another female party member sings or plays a bard. I'll have story something where that specific charm of hers would no affect the character.
For frequency: Even in my little homebrew world full of fey, I don't imagine this coming up too often honestly.
Was thinking of limiting the bonus language to just Sylvan, or maybe include specific monster languages if there are any like Harpy
I was already going to include a whole bunch of third party supplements in this. 5e doesn't not have enough fey creatures for my liking lol. And some of 5e's creatures should be fey but aren't, and vice versa. And I'm remaking some monsters to be more fitting to real world fairy and folk tales. Like if you've seen my post on how I'm going to totally overhaul trolls.
So yeah I'm going to tweak it slightly when I have time. But thanks again.
That is a good idea, but maybe not for what I have in mind. I imagine any mechanical benefits from such an encounter in this background would be fairly minor. So learning two new spells and an ASI might be too much just in my opinion. But thanks anyway.