You know the ancient rites kept alive by secretive druids and hedge practitioners in the shadowed groves of the primordial forests. Remedies and hexes woven into wicker charms can stave off misfortune and ward away evil. They could just as likely invite gloom and the ire of the old spirits. Feat: Charm Twister Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Nature Language: Sylvan Tool Proficiency: Weaver’s Tools…

You know the ancient rites kept alive by secretive druids and hedge practitioners in the shadowed groves of the primordial forests. Remedies and hexes woven into wicker charms can stave off misfortune and ward away evil. They could just as likely invite gloom and the ire of the old spirits. Feat: Charm Twister Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Nature Tool Proficiencies: Weaver's Tools Languages:…

You began mopping floors and scrubbing counters in an artisan’s workshop for a few coppers per day as soon as you were strong enough to carry a bucket. When you were old enough to apprentice, you learned to create basic crafts of your own, as well as how to sweet-talk the occasional demanding customer. Your trade has also given you a keen eye for detail. Ability Scores: Strength, Dexterity,…

Etharis is overrun with vermin, but you focus on the pests of the four-legged variety. In the cities these are generally rats and other rodents. In the country, the pests might come in the form of raccoons or other critters that steal food and destroy structures piece by piece. You’ve trained in the arts of getting pests away from people and coin away from clients. You may run an honest business,…

In a place closer to the lands of the dead than the living, those who tend the eternal rest and disposition of the deceased are held in a mixture of high esteem and apprehension. You have plied the trade of the gravedigger, the mortician, and the embalmer. There are times when you have been the only one to say a kind word in honor of those who passed. The depredations of the Undead are well-known…

You are forever altered in some drastic, physical way, perhaps even made monstrous. A blasphemous fusion of science, alchemy, and magic changed you, possibly to mend some unrecoverable malady, or to test the limits of your biology. The process was a success, at least to a point, but the change left its mark on you. The indelible warping of your form can be a source of fear for those who do not…

You were apprenticed to a trader, caravan master, or shopkeeper, learning the fundamentals of commerce. You traveled broadly, and you earned a living by buying and selling the raw materials artisans need to practice their craft or finished works from such crafters. You might have transported goods from one place to another (by ship, wagon, or caravan) or bought them from traveling traders and…

Realistic humanoid sculptures come to life, waxworks seek to kill and replace those they’ve been crafted to resemble. These creatures typically believe they’re the original living beings rather than duplicates. Any waxwork confronted with evidence of its true nature flies into a rage until it or its double is destroyed. In rare cases, a waxwork might live as if it were a person. Such individuals…

This section presents eighteen new backgrounds for characters from Faerûn. These backgrounds are presented in alphabetical order. Ten of these new backgrounds correspond to regions of the Forgotten Realms described in chapter 2; these backgrounds are listed in the Regional Backgrounds table. Not every character from a given region needs to take a given background. For example, not all residents…

As an apprentice among the Seers of Sea and Sky, you learned to interpret minor omens from the clouds above and the fathoms below. The organization’s rich network of libraries furthered your education, and you now travel across the world, imparting advice and aid to others. Ability Scores: Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma Feat: Arcane Omens Skill Proficiencies: History and Insight Tool…

Not everyone can build a ship to sail in the icy waters of the Northlands. You have mastered your craft, shrugging off the cold wind against your fingers to bring your own special touch to ships designed to move swiftly through nearly frozen waters. Nimble as you move in and out of the bellies of the boats you create, you may work exclusively on land or travel on the ships you create, keeping…

You grew up on the streets surrounded by similarly ill-fated castoffs, a few of them friends and a few of them rivals. You slept where you could and did odd jobs for food. At times, when the hunger became unbearable, you resorted to theft. Still, you never lost your pride and never abandoned hope. Fate is not yet finished with you. Ability Scores: Dexterity, Wisdom, Charisma Feat: Lucky Skill…

This section presents seventeen backgrounds using the same format as those in the Player’s Handbook. The fourteen that represent dragonmarked heirs offer Dragonmark feats rather than Origin feats; the Dragonmark feats appear at the end of the chapter. Choosing one of these backgrounds is the only way to acquire a Dragonmark feat at level 1; characters who select a different background can choose…

You come from a proud line of ice fishers out of Ten-Towns in Icewind Dale. Catching knucklehead trout isn’t the most glorious trade in the North, but it’s an honest living. You’ve trained your senses for the slightest tug on the line, wrestled big trout out of ice-covered lakes, and gutted enough knucklehead trout to feed your village many times over. These experiences have toughened your body…

Through strange rituals and fateful encounters, you’ve discovered that you bear a unique connection to the spirits of the dead and damned. Your body is a conduit for such spirits, granting you prescient insight from beyond. But these spirits’ intentions aren’t always innocent, and their gifts come at a haunting cost. Ability Scores: Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom Feat: Dark Gift feat of your…

You have learned that the dominant religious beliefs of your region are lies. The corrupting forces may be in charge, but you will not rest until you have shown their lies as corrupt and untrue. Your beliefs, and your willingness to speak that truth, have put you in danger from the authorities. You travel the road or live in hiding, trying to stay one step ahead of those who wish to silence you.…

The Ankylier are, of course, based on the well-known dinosaur Ankylosaurus. They emulate its impressive bulk and defences, and play as a relatively slow and extremely durable species. We envision them as industrious, expansionist, and aggressive relative to most herbivorous creatures. This aggression stems from their inability to outrun foes, forcing them to stand and fight. The Ankylier…

The Children of Seth, also known as the Dromeus, are based on Thalassodromeus sethi, a medium-to-large sized pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous of South America. The species name sethi is taken from the Egyptian god Seth. We envision them as tall, nomadic humanoids that have no definitive racial homeland. There are many different clans or tribes of the Dromeus, each with its own subtle…

We have constructed Manyhorn society to primarily operate as a series of guilds that can exist within any regional setting. The guilds protect and employ each of their members, who in turn help the guild prosper. Each guild consists of members of every species of Manyhorn who are extremely loyal to their guild. Each guild can (and does) function entirely independently of other guilds, but each…

The Jeholrak are based on Jeholosaurus, a small herbivorous ornithopod dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous Jehol biota that had a downy layer of feathers. We envision the Jeholrak as small humanoids who love to supplement their drab natural colours with spectacular dyed robes and feathers from various bird and dinosaur species. We also imagine that the Jeholrak have overcome their weak stature…

The Limukin are based on Limusaurus inextricabilis, a small Jurassic dinosaur that was an early member of Ceratosauria (the same group that contains the large predatory Ceratosaurus). This species’ name translates to “Mud Lizard” and they underwent unusual morphological changes as they developed into adulthood, transitioning from toothed omnivores to beaked herbivores. We envision the Limukin…

The name Pluvenn comes from the Cornish word for feather and is a fitting reference to rural English society, which the Pluvenn are inspired by. Most raptorfolk in fiction are portrayed as a savage and vicious jungle-dwelling species. We have taken a very different approach and instead envision them as a peaceful society of townsfolk that fit into the idealistic Beatrix Potter-esque rural life.…

You spent much of your youth following roving fairs and carnivals, performing odd jobs for musicians and acrobats in exchange for lessons. You may have learned how to walk a tightrope, how to play a lute in a distinct style, or how to recite poetry with impeccable diction. To this day, you thrive on applause and long for the stage. Ability Scores: Strength, Dexterity, Charisma Feat: Musician…

You grew up close to the land. Years tending animals and cultivating the earth rewarded you with patience and good health. You have a keen appreciation for nature’s bounty alongside a healthy respect for nature’s wrath. Ability Scores: Strength, Constitution, Wisdom Feat: Tough Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling and Nature Tool Proficiencies: Carpenter's Tools Equipment: Choose A or B: (A)…

Ability Scores: Dexterity, Intelligence, Charisma Feat: Harper Agent (see “ Feats ” later in this chapter) Skill Proficiencies: Performance and Sleight of Hand Tool Proficiency: Disguise Kit Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Disguise Kit, Bedroll, Costume, Grappling Hook, Rope, Traveler’s Clothes, 14 GP; or (B) 50 GP You accepted an invitation to join the Harpers, pledging an oath to uphold the…

Become One with a Cosmic Being Your patron is a cosmic parasite, draining the vitality of entire peoples and worlds. Upon forging a pact with such a patron, you become host to one of its nascent offspring. As you grow in power, the boundary between your identity and the parasitic larva within blurs. Level 3: Spell Siphon Your patron has taught you to siphon magic from your enemies and make it…

Ability Scores: Strength, Constitution, Charisma Feat: Aberrant Dragonmark (see “ Dragonmark Feats ”) Skill Proficiencies: History and Intimidation Tool Proficiency: Disguise Kit Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Dagger, Disguise Kit, Costume, Traveler’s Clothes, 16 GP; or (B) 50 GP Your aberrant dragonmark has made life challenging since it manifested. You might have hidden it successfully for…